A fiberglass shower pan is an inexpensive and easy way to keep your shower clean. Made of extremely fine fibers of glass that is mixed with resin. This component helps water to drain out of the shower once you install it below. As for its installation, it will be just easy to do, where you simply take your shower’s dimensions and then purchase a pan that will fit perfectly in the allocated space and will complement the design of your entire bathroom. Once installed, it will help preserve your shower floor, as it prevents contact with water.
Because of its ease of installation, innovative functionality, light weight and budget-friendly prices, it would seem that the fiberglass shower pan has increased in popularity these days, and you are most likely having one in your shower. If so, keep in mind that the shower pan can accumulate some nasty crud build-up on its edges and corners, as well as strangely colored stains, after months of having soap and water sitting in it. Now, while installing it is easy, replacing it is a complicated process, not to mention that replacement is not necessary if you can get it to be clean and fresh again. Lucky for you, it does not require too much from you to clean and maintain your shower pan by making use of the following steps and tips.
1. Secure all the things that you will need for cleaning a fiberglass shower pan, which can include a cleaner of choice, plastic sponge scrubber, micro-fiber cloth and rubber gloves.
2. Determine what type of build-up that your pan is having. If it is greasy and dark, then it could be just the greasy film and dirt that are often left over from your soap, but if it is yellow and very compact, then it could be a scale build-up from magnesium, calcium and other minerals that are left when water evaporates. It can also be orange or bluish green, which indicates that you are having copper or iron deposits, which comes either from the pipes or from the water itself.
3. If you are having soap scum residue, then apply a grease-cutting soap, which will cut through and emulsify the grease, allowing you to easily wipe it away with the use of a lint-free microfiber cloth. If it proves to be a little more difficult to remove, maybe because of weeks of build-up, then you can use a plastic sponge scrubber to wipe it clean. If you see that there is no more stain, rinse the pan and wipe it dry.
4. If you are having magnesium or calcium build-up, then you can use an acid-based cleaner to dissolve and remove such minerals. You can go for solutions that are specially made for removing this type of build-up on fiberglass, but make sure that they are formulated not to etch the surface of the fiberglass, like some stronger acids might.
5. If you are having copper and iron stains, then you can dissolve them by applying some bleaching products that are safe for fiberglass. Applied them with a plastic sponge as a paste to wipe over the stains and then leave them on for a few minutes before scrubbing. Take note that bleaching products can remove most metal deposits.
6. After removing the deposits on your shower pan, freshen it up with a dilution of bleach and water sprayed using a spray bottle. Spray it on, wait about 30 to 60 seconds and then rinse and wipe your shower pan clean.
There you have it. Your shower pan should be clean now!
More Useful Tips and Warnings
When it comes to using cleaning agents, remember that fiberglass does not hold up well with acidic or corrosive formulas, as they can cause such material to disintegrate, leading to deterioration of the shower pan, which is why it is best to go for neutral cleaning agents. You can use an old toothbrush to clean the niches and corners of the pan. Take note that dirt and moisture would accumulate in these areas, and if overlooked, they can set the stage for germs to breed, which can cause you to have health problems. It is also best to stay away from products like stiff bristle brushes and steel wool, as they can easily cause scratches and even permanent damage to your shower pan.
You can use the grease-cutting soap with a nylon scrubber to remove soap scum. In this process, it is best to rinse the shower pan thoroughly with hot water to get the best results. It is also recommended to clean your pan thoroughly once a week to avoid build-up of soap scum.
If your water contains high amounts of minerals, then you will likely get mineral deposits on your shower pan. And as previously implied, you should only a cleaner that is suitable for removing scales on fiberglass and will not etch the fiberglass like other cleaners that are highly acidic.
As for the stains, it will be easier to spot them on your shower pan once it is cleaned thoroughly cleaned. With this in mind, you can sprinkle some baking soda onto the stain, add a few drops of water to make it paste and then rub it over with an old toothbrush, allowing the paste to work for about 10 minutes. You might also want to coat your pan lightly with car wax, as this would act as a sealant that can help keep stains at bay.
After washing your shower pan, it is recommended to disinfect it with a home-made solution, particularly a mixture of about 2 cups of water and 1 cup of white vinegar placed in a spray bottle for easier application. Spray it to the entire shower pan, allow about 60 seconds for it to work and then scrub using a nylon scrubber. Give the pan a second spray if needed and then rinse it with hot water to dry.
