CLEANING & CARE INSTRUCTIONS

The simplest and preferred method of cleaning your enclosure is by washing it with clean water and drying with a soft cloth. If soil is still present after drying a non-abrasive cleaner with a pH of seven to eight may be used. Comet Bathroom Cleaner® has been tested and is recommended by the Bath Enclosure Manufacturers Association (BEMA). Do not use scouring pads, sharp instruments, or acid-based cleansers to clean the unit. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the labels of household cleaning products. To protect the finish of your bath enclosure you should only use products recommended for glass and anodized aluminum surfaces by the manufacturer of the cleaning product. If in doubt contact the manufacturer of the cleaning product. Use of harsh cleansers or detergents not specifically recommended for use on anodized metal or glass surfaces may damage your unit.

In some geographic locations extremely high mineral content or other foreign compounds in regular tap water causing excessive acidity or alkalinity can damage or discolor glass and anodized aluminum surfaces with repeated exposure. Etching of glass surfaces by chemical agents is irreversible and appears as a light gray or whitish stain on the glass that is rough to the touch and can not be removed. This is the same effect seen on a glass tumbler washed repeatedly in a dishwasher using strong dishwashing detergent. Spotting is normally the result of mineral buildup on the glass or metal. The anodic coating of aluminum is one of the hardest substances known and is chemically inert to most compounds; however it will be damaged by strong acidic or alkaline solutions. Any chemical that can remove mineral buildup on the surface of aluminum can damage the anodic coating. This will dull or discolor the finish and, on gold units, ultimately cause the color to fade. The most reliable preventative measure to preserve the quality of your bath enclosure unit is to wipe the surfaces dry with a soft cloth after each use.

For more information on care and cleaning of bath enclosures see the BEMA web page.

http://www.bathenclosures.org/basics/cleaning.htm

http://www.bathenclosures.org/basics/cleanerstudies.htm

http://www.bathenclosures.org/index.html

DO NOT USE ANY ABRASIVE CLEANSERS OR PADS, SHARP INSTRUMENTS, OR ACIDIC CLEANSERS TO CLEAN YOUR SHOWER ENCLOSURE. These can permanently damage your glass and hardware finish. Use only products recommended for glass and anodized aluminum or plated brass hardware. In some cases, cleaners can be destructive to silicone seals. Always follow the manufacturers’ instructions on the labels of household cleaning products. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer.

There are many variables that will affect the frequency at which you will need to clean your shower glass and the effort involved. Humidity, water temperature, degree of water hardness, and even the type of soap you use, all contribute to the buildup of mineral deposits on your glass. The best way to keep the sparkle is to clean your glass daily.

Untreated Glass should be maintained by wiping down, or using a squeegee daily to reduce the potential for damaging water spots. Unless you are meticulous in the use of the squeegee, however, you will find over time, a build up where the squeegee missed – usually a band at the bottom of the enclosure, or around the door hardware. When using a spray glass cleaner, make sure that it does not contain ammonia, as this can damage the finish on your hardware. If you can find Comet Heavy Duty Bathroom Cleaner in your store, it is a cleaning product recommended by the Bath Enclosure Manufacturers Association based on its cleaning effectiveness and gentleness on metal. If you neglect your shower glass for an extended period of time, the mineral deposits will eventually build up and etch the glass. At this point, no amount of cleaning will improve the appearance.

Sealed Glass ENDUROSHIELD To keep your glass looking new, the glass needs to be cleaned each week using a damp microfiber cloth and a mild detergent to remove any soap scum and grime from the glass. Be careful not to use any rough, gritty, highly acidic, alkaline or abrasive cleaners such as Comet, Ajax or cerium oxide as they may damage the protective coating. For areas with hard water or well/bore water, due to a higher concentrate of mineral deposits such as lime and calcium, a build up may occur on the protective coating and may not be easily removed with a mild detergent. A solution of white vinegar and water (1 part vinegar to 5 parts water) should be sprayed onto the glass and allowed to soak for several minutes. This will dissolve any mineral deposits that have built up on the glass surface. A damp microfiber cloth should then be used to wipe over the glass.

SHOWERGUARD patented technology helps keep minerals, scale and soap scum from sticking. A soft cloth or wet sponge and most common household cleaners are all you need for regular maintenance.

Sandblasted Glass On a shower enclosure, sandblasted designs are typically found on the outside of the unit. Oil from your hands can leave this glass looking blotchy. We recommend sealing this type of glass to ease the burden of cleaning. Whether sealed or not, when cleaning sandblasted glass, you should concentrate mainly on the soiled areas. You will need a clean, soft, lint-free cloth, and an ammonia-free spray glass cleaner. Spray the soiled area lightly with the glass cleaner. Dry the area by lightly rubbing in circular motions until the moisture disappears.

Hardware The best way to maintain the finish on your shower door hardware is to wipe it down after every use with a soft towel. This way, it will not collect mineral deposits that will require cleaning. If you are unable or just don’t want to wipe down the hardware after every use, a weekly cleaning is recommended. Mix a couple of drops of mild liquid soap such as Ivory, into a cup of warm water. Using a soft, non-abrasive cloth, proceed to clean the hardware. Rinse thoroughly with clean warm water and dry.

Drip Deflector for frameless doors should not require frequent cleaning, however, the drip rail under your door will require more frequent cleaning than other vinyl’s. You can easily clean the door sweep. Pull it off and use a cloth with warm water and a little bleach. Dry your shower sweep, and then just snap them back on again. It’s relatively easy and inexpensive to replace the drip deflector when necessary. Just pull it off and bring them to our shop for a replacement, or we can come out for a service fee to replace it for you.

Mirrors in your bathroom are best cleaned at least once a week with an ammonia free spray glass cleaner and a soft cloth. Rather than spray the cleaner directly onto the mirror, it is recommended that you spray a soft cloth and then wipe the mirror clean. This will eliminate the potential of the liquid penetrating the back of the mirror and attacking the silver backing. Other products to keep away from your mirrors include chlorine, alkali, and acetic acids (vinegar).