What Is The Best Cleaner For Fiberglass Shower Floor [In 2024]

Our Top Picks

Best Cleaners for Fiberglass Shower Floors

Based on effectiveness, safety, and ease of use, here are my top picks:

1. White Vinegar

White vinegar is my go-to for keeping my fiberglass shower floor clean. It’s super cheap and does a great job at breaking up mineral deposits and soap scum without damaging the fiberglass over time. I pour some vinegar straight onto tough spots, let it sit for a few minutes, then come back and scrub with a brush. It bubbles up all the gunk nicely! Rinsing well is important though to prevent a film. For maintenance cleaning, I keep a spray bottle of 1:1 vinegar water to wipe down the floors after I shower. Safe, effective and gentle – white vinegar is a fiberglass shower cleaner must-have.

Pros

• Breaks up mineral deposits
• Removes soap scum
• Non-toxic and enviro-friendly
• Inexpensive & easily accessible
• Works well for maintenance cleans

Cons

• Can dull fiberglass over time with heavy use
• Strong odor during cleaning
• Not as effective for tough mold or mildew

2. Baking Soda

I’ll be honest, I was skeptical about using baking soda to clean my fiberglass shower floor. But it works surprisingly well! What I do is make a paste with just a bit of water, then use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the baking soda onto stains or residue. It fizzes up a bit almost like a cleaner. The texture gives just enough scrubbing power to lift dirt without scratching the finish. Baking soda also leaves a nice clean scent behind rather than harsh chemical smells. Just be sure to rinse very thoroughly after. For a super powered cleaner, mix baking soda and vinegar and watch the grime disappear!

Pros

• Gentle, non-scratch abrasive
• Environmentally friendly
• Leaves a clean scent
• Lifts dirt without chemicals
• Cheap & readily available

Cons

• Needs an activator like water or vinegar to work
• Doesn’t disinfect or kill mold
• Scrubbing required for tough stains

3. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

These Magic Eraser pads do remove some grime from my textured fiberglass shower floor with just water, but they aren’t as magical as the name claims. Getting out harder mineral deposits takes some serious elbow grease and I go through the small pads quickly. I mainly use them for quick maintenance scrubs between deeper cleanings. They excel at removing surface dirt, soap scum and occasional mildew spots safely. Just wet the pad, wring out well and lightly scrub. Remember to rinse the floor after to prevent a film. Overall these work but aren’t heavy duty enough for really dirty fiberglass.

Pros

• Easy soap scum and stain removal
• No chemicals required
• Gentle on fiberglass finish

Cons

• Not effective on harder mineral buildup
• Pads wear out quickly
• Can leave a residue if not fully rinsed

4. Clorox Bleach

When nothing else removes those impossible mold stains from the grout lines and textured floor of my fiberglass shower, Clorox Bleach to the rescue! Diluted bleach is safe for occasional use on fiberglass and won’t harm the finish. I mix a pretty strong solution of 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon water and use a grout brush to work it into affected areas. Make sure to ventilate well! The results speak for themselves though. After 10 minutes contact time, I rinse and all traces of mold and mildew vanish. Just remember to never mix bleach with acid products and be very careful with drips if you have color-sensitive surfaces nearby. But it’s extremely effective cleaning power.

Pros

• Expert mold and mildew fighter
• Deodorizes as it cleans
• Inexpensive & accessible
• Makes quick work of tough buildup

Cons

• Harsh chemicals require caution
• Can damage color-sensitive surfaces
• Must be diluted properly
• Needs thorough rinsing

5. Zep Shower Tub and Tile Cleaner

If I need something stronger than my go-to vinegar and baking soda cleaners for the fiberglass shower floor, I reach for Zep Shower Cleaner. This stuff cuts right through layers of soap scum, hard water buildup and occasional mildew stains on both the floor tiles and textured fiberglass base. I spray it on full strength, let it sit for 5 or so minutes, then scrub with a brush. It foams up brown and you can see the grime lifting off. I’m careful to thoroughly rinse as it does leave a bit of a chemical residue if not washed off well. Works great but has to be used sparingly due to harsh formulas.

Pros

• Cuts through layers of grime
• Foams up to lift soap scum
• Designed for shower/tub cleaning

Cons

• Harsh chemical formula
• Can damage fiberglass if left on too long
• Leaves chemical residue if not rinsed thoroughly

6. Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser

I discovered Bar Keepers Friend powder cleanser through some online fiberglass cleaning tips and am so impressed! This stuff makes cleaning my textured shower floor almost effortless. Just sprinkle some powder onto the fiberglass, add a little water to make a paste, then scrub with a soft brush. The oxalic acid works wonders breaking down rust, hard water and other built-up gunk without hurting the finish. What I really love is that since it’s a powder, I can carefully apply it directly to stains in crevices that are hard to reach. Just be sure to always thoroughly rinse residue away after scrubbing. But it gets this shower floor sparkling!

Pros

• Makes cleaning effortless
• Oxalic acid dissolves grime and rust
• Won’t harm fiberglass finish
• Can directly apply to hard-to-reach spots

Cons

• Powder formula needs water to activate
• Must thoroughly rinse residue after use
• Not a disinfectant

7. Soft Scrub Gel with Bleach

In a pinch I’ve used Soft Scrub Gel Bathroom Cleaner to tackle soap scum and mildew in my fiberglass shower stall floor with mediocre results. While it does help lift some grime when you put some muscle into scrubbing, I went through a ton of the stuff quickly. And the bleach makes it too harsh for regular use. This thick gel clings nicely to vertical surfaces but doesn’t have the cleaning power I expected despite the “bleach added” claim on the bottle. It also leaves a sticky residue even if you rinse thoroughly after use. I decided to stick to vinegar- or baking soda- based cleaners for better fiberglass compatibility and less scrubbing effort.

Pros

• Bleach helps lift some grime
• Gel clings to vertical surfaces well

Cons

• Not enough scrubbing power for tough buildup
• Leaves a sticky residue
• Too harsh for regular use on fiberglass

Why Keep Fiberglass Shower Floor Clean?

Keeping your fiberglass shower floor clean is important for several reasons:

• Save

Prevent Mold and Mildew Growth

Fiberglass can be prone to mold and mildew growth if not properly cleaned. Organic materials like dirt, soap scum, and body oils accumulate on the surface and feed mold. Regular cleaning prevents this.

Improve Hygiene

Cleaned shower floors have fewer germs and bacteria that can cause infections or illness. This is especially important if you have small children using the shower.

Remove Stains and Residue

Mineral deposits, soap scum, and hard water stains can build up on fiberglass over time. Using the right cleaners helps dissolve residue and restore a like-new appearance.

Maintain Appearance

A dirty, stained shower floor just looks unappealing. Keeping the surface clean makes your bathroom look and feel cleaner.

Choosing the Right Fiberglass Shower Floor Cleaner

With so many bathroom cleaners on the market, how do you choose what’s best for fiberglass? Here are some pros and cons of common cleaners:

Vinegar

Pros: Non-toxic, breaks down mineral deposits, removes soap scum, inexpensive

Cons: Can dull fiberglass shine over time, strong odor

Baking Soda

Pros: Gentle abrasive lifts dirt, environmentally friendly

Cons: Needs to be combined with water or vinegar to work effectively

Bathroom Cleaners

Pros: Formulated for bathroom grime like soap scum or mildew

Cons: Can damage fiberglass over time, toxic fumes

Enzymatic Cleaners

Pros: Break down organic stains with natural enzymes

Cons: More expensive, may need scrubbing for tougher grime

When in doubt, mild acid-based cleaners like vinegar or baking soda mixtures make excellent fiberglass shower floor cleaners. They dissolve mineral buildup without damaging the surface over time.

Maintaining Cleanliness Between Deep Cleans

While periodic deep cleaning is important for fiberglass shower floors, you can maintain cleanliness better with some simple daily and weekly maintenance:

Quick Vinegar Wipe Downs

Keep a spray bottle filled with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and warm water. Give the shower floor a quick wipe down after each use to prevent mineral and soap buildup.

Daily Sweeping

Use a whisk broom or rubber squeegee to sweep water off the floor and toward the drain after use. This prevents poolings that can feed mold growth.

Bath Mats Outside Shower

Placing a couple absorbent bath mats outside the shower gives you a designated spot to stand when drying off. This prevents dripping dirty water back onto the clean floor.

With just a few minutes of care each day, you can stay on top of fiberglass shower floor maintenance between deep cleanings.

FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions about cleaning fiberglass shower floors:

Can I use bleach to clean my fiberglass shower floor?

Yes, you can use a diluted bleach solution for occasional deep cleaning. Start with 1 cup bleach per 1 gallon of water and test on a small area first before applying to the whole surface. Rinse thoroughly after 10 minutes maximum contact time. Never mix bleach with vinegar or other acidic cleaners due to dangerous chemical reactions.

How often should I deep clean my fiberglass shower floor?

Aim to deep clean fiberglass shower floors every 1-2 months. Check for mold growth between cleanings as this can indicate a need for more frequent scrub downs. Preventative cleaning is easier than removing a stubborn mold colony.

What is the black stuff on my fiberglass shower floor?

Black spots and stains are likely mold or mildew colonies feeding off residues left behind from dirt, soap, oils and mineral deposits. Scrub away the stains with bleach or bathroom mildew cleaner. Then implement daily maintenance to prevent regrowth.

Can I use magic eraser on my fiberglass shower floor?

Yes, Magic Erasers are safe and effective for cleaning fiberglass as the melamine foam is a gentle abrasive. Be sure to fully rinse the floor after use to prevent leftover foam residue from remaining on the surface which can cause dullness over time.

How do I restore shine to a dull fiberglass shower floor?

For dulled fiberglass, use a gentle rubbing compound designed for fiberglass finish restoration. Rub small sections at a time using a microfiber cloth. Avoid wax-based polishes as these don’t harden properly on non-porous surfaces and can cause slip safety issues.

conclusion 

Keeping a fiberglass shower floor clean requires regular effort, but is critical for sanitation, aesthetics, and preventing permanent stains or mold damage. While heavy-duty bleach or chemical bath cleaners have their place for occasional mildew removal or deep cleaning, they can damage fiberglass over time and often leave toxic residue if not properly rinsed. For routine maintenance cleaning, natural acid solutions like vinegar, baking soda, or oxalic acid-based cleaners like Bar Keeper’s Friend are the safest, most effective choices.

Used properly, they dissolve soap scum, hard water stains, and other grime without posing harm to the fiberglass itself. With the right fiberglass-compatible cleaners and a bit of elbow grease, it is possible to maintain a fresh, appealing shower environment. Implementing quick daily wipe-downs and deeper yet gentle monthly scrub sessions is key for stopping dirt, scum and soap build-up in its tracks.