This $7 Fix Transformed My Glass Shower Doors (No More Hard Water Spots!)

For more than a year now, I’ve been diligently using the same method to clean my glass shower doors. After every shower, I use a squeegee to remove excess water, and twice a week I spray diluted Pine-Sol onto the doors and wipe it until it’s dry using a soft microfiber cloth. While this method was working for me in terms of preventing new hard water spots, there were still some cloudy spots that never vanished and would rear their ugly heads with the hot shower steam. 

It wasn’t until I stumbled upon a video on TikTok that I realized I probably needed something tougher for both the interior and exterior parts of my glass shower doors. Enter the Sukh Steel Wool, a gem that’s completely transformed my shower cleaning results.

The Sukh Steel Wool is an ultrafine steel wool cleaning pad designed to safely tackle stubborn spots on glass, chrome fixtures, and other smooth surfaces. Made from soft, airy steel fibers, the 0000 grade is the gentlest level of steel wool, meaning it won’t scratch glass or metal. It comes in a 10-foot-long, 2.75-inch-wide roll for $6.99 on Amazon; you can easily cut off just the amount you need each time.

In this TikTok video, janitor and cleaning expert Brandon Pleshek of @CleanThatUp shares how to effectively remove stubborn hard water stains on glass shower doors. In addition to using Bar Keeper’s Friend More Spray, he recommends using steel wool, specifically 0000 grade because it’s ultrafine and safe enough to use on glass and won’t leave behind any scratches.

I decided to give this steel wool a try. When I got it, I was surprised at how soft it really was; in fact, the consistency and texture is very similar to cotton candy. Although I didn’t have the spray Pleshek used, I decided to use my daily shower spray that I make with vinegar, dish soap, rinse aid, and distilled water. Naturally, I tested using the steel wool on a small spot on the door inside my shower first (the “steel” in “steel wool” was still off-putting despite the softness).

I exhaled hot breath to mimic shower steam and prepared myself to see those dreaded hard water spots. Instead, I saw a clean and spotless streak. I was immediately excited and got to work. I sprayed the inside of the shower doors thoroughly with my vinegar spray and following Pleshek’s instructions. I scrubbed the doors with the steel wool in a circular motion. I then used my squeegee and a soft, dry microfiber cloth.

I could already notice a huge difference, but there was still a layer of cloudiness. Then, it clicked — most of the spots I wasn’t able to remove for about a year were on the outside of my shower doors. I repeated the same steps and was astounded at how much grime and buildup I removed with the steel wool. After both sides of the doors were clean and dry, I exhaled hot breath to reveal the truth. Just like my spot test, all sides had a clean streak and nearly all the hard water spots were gone. 

For under $7, my shower felt completely restored to even better than the day I moved in. Although I’ll still use my former winning method every now and then, this steel wool has completely altered my cleaning routine for good.