The shower enclosure is the most difficult element in the bathroom to clean and sanitize. The cause? Cleaning the shower enclosure takes time. The shower enclosure must be cleaned, dried, taken care of in detail and treated with the correct products. When buying, it is good to look at shower enclosure models that allow simple, fast cleaning and above all that require little effort, regardless of the position: both in a small bathroom and in a larger bathroom. In this article, Relax will guide you towards the shower enclosure models that are easier to clean according to the different types.
Walk-in
It is the shower enclosure that is easiest to clean, in fact there are no sliding systems, seals, openings, handles, bearings and hinges. The walk-in is a large glass inserted in a thin profile fixed to the floor and wall. In this type of box, the only critical point is precisely the junction between the profile and the coverings, especially if there are visible silicone residues, which must be eliminated. Bobox and Wall are the two Relax products that fall into the category.
Bobox
With a bold and design style, Bobox has rounded ends with a double radius. This peculiarity makes it one of a kind.
The advantages that make this walk-in innovative and easy to clean are:
- without corners and joints that retain dirt.
- without fixing screws in sight
- absence of cavities or details where it is difficult to pass with a sponge
- standard anti-limescale treatment (see advantages in the dedicated chapter below)
- the small radius curved inwards makes Bobox functional and practical, as it facilitates the retention of water during use
Wall
Wall is part of a type of walk-in with straight glass. One of the most appreciated characteristics of Wall is that the profile used to fix the glass does not require the use of screws. It is sufficient to insert the glass only with pressure. The result is important advantages for cleaning: silicone is not required and the absence of screws makes it easier and safer to pass the sponge.
The various customizations of Wall (as shown in the photo) have no problems with cleaning and durability thanks to its special ecological paints.
Shower enclosure with sliding doors
This type of shower enclosure has upper and lower rails that need to be cleaned regularly. Cleaning with this solution may therefore require more attention. Among the shower enclosures with sliding doors, PURO has interesting features that lend themselves to quick and effective cleaning. PURO is easy to clean because:
- It has no crystal overlays. When the sliding door is closed, it does not overlap the fixed part of the cabin. This avoids that there are points that cannot be reached with the sponge.
- Equipped with quick release of the door which allows for practical, deep and complete cleaning
- It has a casing to cover the sliding mechanisms which prevents the deposit of dirt and dust.
- No visible fixing screws.
- Equipped with small size profiles
- Available, upon request, with anti-limestone treatment on the glass
Swing door shower enclosure
The hinged door shower enclosures open outwards but can also open inwards: this makes them extremely versatile. Relax in the catalog presents two items which among their strengths have simple and easy cleaning: Kubik and Cover. KUBIK is characterized by an extremely minimal line and is available with 6mm or 8mm glass. The elements that characterize it are:
- The fixed wall has no support bars
- It is a model almost entirely in glass and without profiles
- It has no visible fixing screws
- The anti-limescale treatment is already included as standard (see dedicated chapter below)
Cover lends itself to quick and effective maintenance because:
- It has a flush hinge for a better sliding of the sponge
- Anti-limescale treatment included (see dedicated chapter below)
- It has no visible fixing screws
- Can be fixed directly to the wall without a profile
Shower enclosure with folding opening
Some shower enclosures with folding door opening in the niche are awkward when cleaning, as they require you to enter the niche to clean. To overcome this problem, Relax has equipped its shower enclosure with a door safety system. The door release solution is designed for people’s safety but is equally effective for cleaning because it can be completely opened outwards, thus favoring quick and easy cleaning. The Relax safety system is available in the Light PS model with 6mm tempered safety glass.
Saloon shower enclosure
It is one of our easiest shower enclosures to clean. A shower enclosure with a double door that opens outwards and closes inwards like saloon doors. The doors, once outside, lend themselves to immediate cleaning. The Light B2 model by Relax, with 6mm glass, has these characteristics and is available for both the niche and the corner of the bathroom.
The anti-limescale treatment
Limestone has always lurks in the most remote corners of our bathroom. What is limestone and why does it form? The bathroom, usually a humid environment, has surfaces that remain wet most of the time. This can happen both due to a condensation phenomenon and due to water that does not slide on the crystal. Once the water has evaporated, it leaves the salts it contains (calcium and magnesium carbonate) on the surfaces. The more time passes, the more limescale stains become difficult to clean. So how can you clean your shower cubicle easily? To avoid the root problem, you can choose a shower cubicle with the anti-limescale treatment Crystal Protect by Relax. This product exploits the result of research in the field of nanotechnology. Crystal Protect forms an invisible protective film on the glass, making it smoother and more slippery. This prevents the absorption of water, soap and other residues making it easier to clean. Glass with anti-limescale treatment must be cleaned with particular attention: without using aggressive detergents, which can limit its effectiveness. With Crystal Protect, a little warm water and neutral soap are enough to make your boxes shine. The anti-limescale treatment is effective from 2 to 5 years depending on how well the glass is cleaned. To extend its duration, Relax offers a Maintenance kit which regenerates the protection. The advantages of Crystal Protect by Relax are:
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- extra protection against limescale and sodium deposits
- long-lasting antibacterial effect
- greater resistance to scratches, corrosion and ageing
- it is silicone-free and therefore does not yellow over time
It is
- non-toxic
- can be renewed
How to clean the shower enclosure
Cleaning the shower enclosure may seem like an unpleasant job, but following the Relax advice you can quickly clean your shower cubicle. Glasses The ideal solution sees them dry and washed at the end of each shower. Glass with anti-limescale treatment should not be cleaned with aggressive detergents. On the other hand, untreated glass can be cleaned with chemical detergents or with very effective and cheap natural do-it-yourself detergents that will save you from even the most stubborn dirt. Aluminum profiles, they must be cleaned with neutral detergents using non-abrasive sponges which scratch the surface. If the profiles are coloured, use only neutral soap Gaskets Made of plastic material, soap and water are sufficient to keep them soft. Shower tray It is good that your feet rest on a clean surface. Depending on the material with which the shower tray is built, use the specific detergent.
Natural products for cleaning the shower enclosure
If the shower enclosure is not properly maintained, it can become encrusted with limescale, detergents and, in some cases, mould. Keeping the shower always clean and sanitized is not always easy. For cleaning, you can use special products of chemical derivation or resort to natural solutions. Among the do-it-yourself cleaners, Relax suggests these solutions:
- REMOVE LIMESCALE
- Emulsion of white vinegar, bicarbonate, lemon
- Use a sponge and leave it to act for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly
- ELIMINATE SOAP DEPOSITS
- Solution composed of denatured alcohol, white vinegar and water.
- CLEAN THE GLASSES
- In a spray bottle, put a solution of 2 parts white vinegar and 1 part water
- Spray the liquid obtained on the glass and wipe it with a sponge. Then rinse and wipe with the glass squeegee
- CLEAN THE SHOWER HEAD
- Often the limestone blocks the holes and the water struggles to get out. Then immerse the shower head in hot water and white vinegar for 1 hour and then rinse. If there are still closed holes, use a needle to open them
CONCLUSIONS
When choosing your shower enclosure, make sure you can access each of the parts that make up the enclosure.
The life of the shower enclosure, cleaned and sanitized with the correct maintenance, can be many years. Finally, if you want your shower enclosure to always remain beautiful and shiny, the best thing is to dry it after each shower. Help yourself with a glass squeegee or a microfiber cloth, in this way you will avoid long and tedious cleaning and maintenance interventions. R&D Relax design. Made in Italy. Quality certified by Tuv Sud.