Running a rubber squeegee over shower glass and tiles after every wash can significantly cut down on limescale buildup and drying water droplets, according to a report by Kertvar. The outlet said the process takes just half a minute.
Kertvar noted that the squeegee is far from a modern invention. Similar tools were used long ago, including on ship decks and for washing windows, and the flexible single-blade rubber version familiar today became widespread in the 1930s, the outlet said.
Why Limescale Forms
More people now keep a squeegee in their shower because it removes most of the water before it has a chance to dry, according to the report. Limescale, it explained, is not simply dirt. Hard water contains dissolved minerals, namely calcium and magnesium salts. When a droplet of water dries on glass, the water itself evaporates but some of the minerals remain behind on the surface.
After a single shower this is barely noticeable, Kertvar said, but when hundreds of droplets dry on the same glass day after day, a characteristic whitish, opal-like film eventually builds up.
The 30-Second Method
The technique itself is simple. While the glass is still fully wet after a shower, the squeegee should be moved from top to bottom to clear away the water, with each stroke overlapping the last slightly so no wet streaks are left behind between passes.
Experts cited in the report cautioned against pressing too hard on the glass, saying a rubber or silicone blade in good condition will collect water even with light, even pressure. For a standard shower cubicle, the whole process can genuinely be done in about half a minute, according to Kertvar, and if it becomes a habit, far less water will be left to evaporate from the glass over time.
More Cleaning Tips
The outlet also included further cleaning advice from experts, including six reasons to add vinegar when doing laundry. Despite seeming old-fashioned, vinegar remains popular for its strong cleaning benefits, the report said.
Specialists also explained how to clean limescale from taps, saying acetic acid helps remove mineral deposits while cinnamon can soften vinegar's distinctive smell.
