Dripping taps. A film that never seems to lift. Hotels tackle the same mess — and win with simple kit.
Housekeepers rely on two budget moves that cut through limescale and soap film fast, then keep water marks from returning. The routine takes minutes, uses cupboard staples, and works in hard‑water areas across Britain.
Why hotel bathrooms stay spotless
Glass dulls for two reasons. Minerals in hard water leave limescale. Fatty acids in soap form a greasy film. Hotels pair a micro‑abrasive tool with a mild acid‑plus‑surfactant spray to target both. They finish with a dry down. That sequence stops fresh droplets from drying into new stains.
The melamine sponge trick
A melamine foam “magic eraser” acts like ultra‑fine sandpaper. Used damp, it shears off mineral crust and soap haze without extra chemicals. It also refreshes taps and grout lines.
Wet, wring, light circles, then rinse and wipe dry with a microfibre cloth before droplets set.
- Skip glossy or lacquered finishes; micro‑abrasion can dull a shine.
- Test a corner first to check for coatings on tempered glass.
- Go easy on pressure; the foam does the cutting.
The 50:50 spray that dissolves the rest
Mix equal parts white vinegar and washing‑up liquid in a clean trigger bottle. The acid loosens limescale. The surfactant lifts soap film. Warm vinegar works faster, but room temperature is fine.
Spray a 50:50 mix, leave 10–15 minutes, agitate with a soft sponge, rinse thoroughly, then dry with microfibre.
Odour fades on rinse. If water is extremely hard, repeat once. The cost is tiny: about 5–8p per treatment for an average screen.
Make it last with a one‑minute routine
Hotels rely on frequency, not force. Small daily steps stop build‑up, so deep cleans shrink to quick refreshes.
Your 60‑second post‑shower plan
- Use a squeegee from top to bottom to push off standing water.
- Buff edges, hinges and taps with a microfibre to stop drip marks.
- Crack a window or run the extractor for 10 minutes to lower humidity.
This routine denies minerals the time they need to crystallise on glass. Do it daily or every other day; both keep haze at bay.
Cupboard alternatives that work
If you prefer pantry options, rotate methods and always finish dry.
- White vinegar in hot water: spray, wait a few minutes, wipe, rinse, dry.
- Vinegar then bicarbonate of soda: mist vinegar, dust bicarbonate on a damp sponge, gently scrub, rinse, dry.
- Lemon half: rub cut side over limescale, rinse, dry for a fresh smell and quick shine.
- Meudon chalk (whiting): make a thin paste with water, spread, let haze, polish off with microfibre.
What to avoid on delicate surfaces
Do not use acids on natural stone like marble or limestone; they etch. Keep melamine foam off high‑gloss lacquer and soft plastics. Many modern shower screens carry a hydrophobic factory coating; abrasive pads and harsh scouring powders can strip it. If unsure, spot‑test low and out of sight.
Costs, times and results at a glance
| Method | Ratio/tools | Dwell time | Best for | Caveats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melamine foam | Damp sponge, microfibre | None, work as you go | Stuck limescale dots, soap film | Abrasive; avoid glossy coatings |
| Vinegar + washing‑up liquid | 50:50 in spray bottle | 10–15 minutes | General clean, fast shine | Rinse well; avoid on natural stone |
| Vinegar + bicarbonate | Vinegar first, then light sprinkle | 5–10 minutes | Heavy soap scum | Fizzes; keep away from stone |
| Lemon rub | Half a lemon, microfibre | 2–5 minutes | Small limescale rings | Stickiness if not rinsed |
| Meudon chalk | Thin paste, polish dry | Until hazed | Final gloss on glass | Dusty; rinse cloths well |
Hard water realities in Britain
Large parts of the South East, East Anglia and the Midlands draw from chalk aquifers. Tap water there can exceed 250 mg/L as CaCO₃. That level forms a white crust in days. A quick kitchen test helps: peer into your kettle or around the tap aerator. If scale forms weekly, treat your shower screen more often and dry it every time.
Step‑by‑step for a first deep clean
What the chemistry tells you
Limescale is mainly calcium carbonate, which dissolves in mild acids like vinegar. Soap scum is a mix of fatty residues and minerals, so you need a surfactant to break grease and an acid to loosen salts. That’s why the 50:50 blend clears both layers in one pass. Micro‑abrasion finishes what chemistry softens.
Safety and surface care
Ventilate while using vinegar. Wear light gloves if you have sensitive skin. Keep acids away from marble, travertine and other calcareous stone, and avoid prolonged contact with aluminium. Rinse seals well; residue trapped under rubber lips can discolour silicone over time.
Numbers that matter to your wallet
A pack of 10 melamine pads ranges from £2–£4, or roughly 20–40p per pad. A litre of white vinegar sits around 80p–£1.20. Washing‑up liquid costs pennies per use. A basic squeegee costs £5–£8 and lasts years. A household that treats glass once a week and squeegees daily will typically spend under £2 a month on consumables.
Going further for stubborn cases
If build‑up returns quickly, look at the water itself. A clip‑on in‑line shower filter can reduce mineral particles and extend the clean window, though it will not soften water completely. Hydrophobic aftercare sprays form a sacrificial film so droplets sheet off; reapply every few weeks. You can also wipe a thin film of diluted rinse‑aid across glass, leave one minute, then buff dry to promote beading. Always test a corner first.
When to call a reset
Pitted glass that feels rough may have etched limescale. No domestic acid or pad will reverse etching. In that case, clean thoroughly, then apply a protective coating to mask micro‑pitting and slow future staining. If seals have black mould, replace the silicone to restore a clean edge the cloth can reach.
