Buying guide for Best shower squeegees
A dirty shower isn’t the best look for a place designed to get you clean. That’s why owning a shower squeegee is a common practice for those who want to keep their shower glass and walls looking squeaky clean.
Water spots, soap scum, and hard water stains are not only unsightly, but they can also serve as a breeding ground for bacteria. Keeping your shower free from bacteria is the best way to avoid mold and mildew growth and prolong the time needed between deep cleans. A shower squeegee is an affordable and easy-to-use tool that aids this process.
Shower squeegees come in many shapes and sizes and are made from various materials suited to different needs. When looking for a shower squeegee, it’s important to understand factors such as price, size variation, and components so you ultimately select the shower squeegee that’s right for you.
What to consider in your search for the best shower squeegee
Why do I need a shower squeegee?
A shower squeegee is an incredibly simple tool. It’s one of the easiest ways to remove water from shower glass and walls. While it might seem like a hassle to incorporate this task into your routine, it takes only a minute or two and can save you some deep cleaning down the road.
If you want to prevent hard water stains and soap scum from building up on your shower glass, the regular use of a shower squeegee is one of the most affordable ways to do so. Removing water from shower walls is also an effective way to avoid mold and mildew growth.
It’s possible that you already practice wiping down your shower with a towel or cloth after showering. While this works to an extent, a shower squeegee is much more thorough and convenient. A towel absorbs moisture, whereas a squeegee pushes the water off of surfaces, allowing gravity to draw it to the ground. What’s more, towels must be regularly wrung out as you wipe, and they tend to leave residue from soap, shampoo, and conditioner behind.
A shower squeegee leaves very little behind, and it doesn’t need to be wrung out. Your shower squeegee also won’t need to be thrown in the laundry. Overall, shower squeegees require less maintenance than towels and are highly effective at keeping shower glass and doors clear.
Expert tip
Shower squeegees work best when they're dry, so for best results, wipe your squeegee off before use, and if you have a large shower, dry the blade between swipes.
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Shower squeegee sizes
Shower squeegees with widths of 10 inches are most common. You can also find larger shower squeegees with widths of 12 to 14 inches. The handles of these sizes are usually about 6.5 inches long, but you can find longer models. Some squeegee handles are extendable, but these can be harder to use, as they offer less blade control.
The smallest squeegees have blade lengths of around 6 inches. These often have shorter handles of 5 to 5.5 inches. While these can be helpful for corners and narrow panes of glass, shorter handles are also harder to grip.
Shower squeegee materials and weight
Shower squeegees are commonly made of plastic with metal reinforcement in the part known as the channel, which secures the blade. Some are made entirely of plastic with a rubber or silicone blade. Pricier shower squeegees tend to be made with chrome, stainless steel, or brass.
Take into account the weight of a squeegee when considering it. Heavier options (made with more metal) are slightly more effective and easier to use, and you don’t have to apply as much pressure to the glass. What’s more, they have a smoother stroke. Lighter shower squeegees made from plastic require more care and effort during strokes.
Shower squeegee uses
- If it has a surface, you can very likely squeegee it.
- Your shower squeegee isn’t limited to use on shower walls and glass. You can also squeegee your shower seat and ceiling.
- For thorough removal of water, smooth surfaces like flat tile, laminate, or even stainless steel are ideal. If you have a textured wall (such as raised tile with deeper grout lines), a squeegee won’t be as effective.
- You can use your squeegee to simply remove shower water, or you can use it in tandem with bathroom cleaning spray for a more thorough clean.
Expert tip
To avoid missing spots, always swipe the squeegee in straight rows that slightly overlap the previous row.
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Key features of shower squeegees
Blade
The blade of your shower squeegee is arguably one of the most important parts. Blades vary in length, width, and material. They are typically made from rubber, silicone, or plastic. Rubber and silicone blades are generally more effective, and the material is unlikely to scratch your glass.
Channel
The channel is the hard piece that holds the blade in place. It may be made of plastic, metal, or a combination of the two. If made with metal, be gentle: it is possible to accidentally scratch the glass with the (often) sharp corners of the channel. To reduce this possibility, look for a metal squeegee with rounded channel edges, or choose a squeegee with a plastic channel instead.
Handle
A shower squeegee handle allows you to maneuver and control the squeegee. Many shower squeegee handles are ergonomically designed for comfort and ease of use. Some are coated with rubber or foam grippy material. This makes it less likely that your hand will slip or that you will drop the squeegee — a helpful feature in wet conditions.
Squeegee wall holder
Most shower squeegees include a wall mount that adheres to walls or glass with a suction cup or sticky adhesive pad.
A wall mount is highly convenient because it keeps the squeegee available yet up and off the ground. If your shower squeegee doesn’t include a wall mount, consider ordering one; they are useful and inexpensive. Alternatively, you could store your shower squeegee in a shower caddy.
Unique designs
Some squeegee blade designs differ from the typical thin and angled rubber, silicone, or plastic blade. These unique designs feature rows of very small cylinders that sweep water away in a collective effort. They are typically made of rubber or silicone and can be just as effective as standard shower squeegees. However, they are less common and tend to lie in the mid-range cost bracket, around $30 to $40.
Always keep a window open or run your bathroom fan while showering. This maintains airflow and allows steam to escape, reducing the buildup of condensation that can lead to mold and mildew.
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Shower squeegee prices
Inexpensive
The most affordable shower squeegees cost between $8 and $20. These are generally lightweight and made with rubber and plastic. Depending on the brand, the width could be under 6 inches or the more common 10-inch width.
Mid-range
Mid-range shower squeegees can be bought for $20 to $60. These are heavier in the hand with higher-quality materials and a stronger blade. They are also generally wider than inexpensive models, between 10 to 12 inches.
Expensive
The most expensive shower squeegees top out at around $100. These are typically made with metals like aluminum or stainless steel. A few shower squeegee can be found for $150, but these are specialty items made by high-end houseware companies. They are often constructed from stainless steel, brass, or chrome.
Did You Know?
You can get a filter for your showerhead that reduces bacteria or even softens hard water. This can help minimize hard water stains and lengthen the time between deep cleanings.
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Tips
- Keep a towel or microfiber cloth in your hand to dry the squeegee blade between strokes. This is an effective method to prevent water streaks and drops as you clean. You can also use your cloth to lightly dab any drops left behind.
- Dry your squeegee after each use. Leaving water or any moisture on a squeegee can lead to mildew or mold growth and can eat away at the blade and handle.
- Don’t store your shower squeegee on the ground. Leaving your squeegee on the floor of your shower can lead to a build-up of moisture and bacteria. It can also shorten the lifespan of the squeegee. Store it using a wall mount or shower caddy, or keep it in a bathroom drawer or cupboard.
FAQ
Q. How often should I squeegee my shower?
A. To avoid the build-up of mildew-causing moisture and soap scum, you should squeegee your shower glass and walls after every use.
Expert tip
Work with gravity, not against it, and always squeegee from top to bottom.
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Q. Will my squeegee scratch my shower glass?
A. It depends on the materials of the squeegee. If you buy a squeegee that features a metal piece, it’s possible that you could catch the corner on the glass and scratch it that way. However, if you squeegee carefully, this can be easily avoided.
Q. Do shower squeegees wear out?
A. Eventually, the blade might become less rigid and effective. If well-maintained, however, a quality shower squeegee can last for years. You can replace the blade if needed; just make sure it’s the correct size for your squeegee channel.
