Is It Better to Clean a Shower Before or After You Use It?

When it comes to cleaning, efficiency is always top of mind. Sure, you want spotless results, but you should also aim to implement the method that doesn't waste any time—as long as it doesn't take away from the cleanliness itself, especially when your personal cleanliness is at stake.

You may have guessed by now that we're talking about the shower. The debate over whether to clean it before or after using isn't new, and it tackles important aspects like convenience, hygiene, and safety. There's usually a technique that objectively makes the better option, but in this case, there are valid points on both sides.

If you shower before cleaning, you have a few things going for you: The steam and heat from a shower can help to loosen dirt, soap scum, and grime, which makes it easy to clean the surface without having to scrub it too vigorously. Plus, since you've already used the shower, you can take advantage of that environment. Plus, removing excess moisture and soap scum right after you shower helps prevent mold and mildew from growing.

But not everything about cleaning a shower after you use it is preferable. Depending on which products you use, there's no way to get around exposure to chemical fumes. If you're a particularly aggressive cleaner, you also could break a sweat—and sweating immediately after a shower isn't ideal.

Cleaning your shower before you use it obviously makes the showering experience feel more fresh and rejuvenating. If your shower has accumulated a lot of dirt or grime, you might not actually want to get in it—and cleaning it first would make it more enticing. And if you get sweaty or a bit messy during the cleaning process, you can rinse off right away without worrying about messing up your perfectly washed hair. Another upside to showering after you clean is that you can rinse your cleaning products off your skin immediately.

On the downside, you may risk leaving behind chemical residues from cleaning that can mix with the heat and steam from a shower, and all of a sudden, you're inhaling extra fumes. You'll also likely have to add in some steam and moisture to scrub away all the dirt and grime, so you're running the shower for at least a little bit whether you clean first or second.

Ultimately, there isn't a clear answer here. You should make your choice depending on your personal preference, cleaning habits, and, honestly, whatever you have planned for the rest of the day.

Sources:

• All photos used in this blogpost are sourced from the internet, and the rights belong to their respective owners
• Silva, C. (2024, September 14). Is It Better to Clean a Shower Before or After You Use It? Better Homes & Gardens. Retrieved from https://www.bhg.com