The best solution is the simplest — don’t let your shower door get dirty. Wipe it down every day. The easiest way to make sure this happens is to keep a plastic squeegee inside the shower door. Some of them even come with little suction cups so you can hang them up.

Make it part of your daily routine to use that squeegee after your shower. It just takes a second, and it really pays off. Then, when you get out of the shower, leave the shower door open a crack. This will let air circulate and keep away the mildew.

Even with the daily wipe-down, you should clean the shower (including the door) once a week. A regular glass cleaner should work just fine, if you’ve followed this simple daily routine. If the door has a metal rim, it can be cleaned using a mild detergent and water. Lemon oil, if used afterwards, can add a real sparkle; just remember that a tiny drop goes a long, long way.

Also, remember to check the caulk while you’re cleaning the door. If any of it has broken away or developed cracks, it needs to be replaced quickly before any water damage occurs.

Fortunately, with the new squeezable caulk-containers, it’s easy to reapply; just squeeze it out like toothpaste, then go over it with a plastic spoon to smooth it.

Now, if you didn’t quite follow a basic maintenance routine… here are a few suggestions for dealing with the (often ugly!) results.

Does your shower door have built-up soap scum? There’s a simple solution for that which you probably already have in your pantry… white vinegar! It works very well on soap scum due to its high acidity.

Apply, let it sit for a few minutes, and then give it a scrub. Just ensure that you rinse it all away after you’re done.

Another great option to try on soap scum is adding just a touch of liquid fabric softener to water and applying that onto the soap scum. Let it sit for a minute and then scrub and rinse.

If the gunk on your shower door is extremely built up and you’d like to use some kind of a mild abrasive, tooth paste works surprisingly well. Remember, you’re working with glass, so you don’t want to use the same kind of harsh abrasive that would be okay in the tub or on the tile floor.

In any of these cases, remember that just because a cleanser can be used on glass doesn’t mean it should be left on the metal rim of the door or the tile floor of the shower. Ensure that you rinse well, in any case, and treat your shower door with care.

Get some good supplies. The windows you see that look beautiful at the office are because a professional is using the right tools and equipment. Invest in a squeegee or other tool with a mop-like handle. This soft surface can give your windows just the right amount of water to get them clean. Lines and imperfections in the cleaning job are normally a result of too much water that is left running down the window.

Clean the screens first. Often there is debris that collects on screens that can just leave your clean windows looking dirty. Use a dust rag or something with feathers to clean the screens before you start on the windows. Be sure to remove cobwebs and debris. If you can, spraying screens down with a garden hose may also help. Be sure to allow the screens to dry completely before returning them to the windows.

Use warm water. Warm water will do a better job of getting your windows clean. You can use any type of detergent or cleaner, just dilute in warm water.

Develop some good technique. Experts recommend making an S-shape along the window from the top to the bottom. Another option is straight up and down. If you use this method, be sure to remove any excess water from your squeegee so you don’t leave lines. Again, lines are the main complaint of those who try to clean windows and don’t get the results they want.

Don’t leave out the window frames when you are cleaning the windows. Dirt and dust can accumulate in these areas, leaving windows dirty almost immediately. Use a cloth, add some water and detergent to get into the cracks and crevices of the windows. Be sure to dry these areas completely and to clean them before you clean the windows as to ensure excess water does not dirty a clean window.

Try using alcohol. A bit of Isopropyl Alcohol mixed with warm water can help to get windows even cleaner. Be sure to mix the alcohol and the water well before starting to clean.

Be careful in cold weather to not use water that is too hot or you may crack your windows.

Clean windows up to four times a year. It is a great thing to do with every change of the seasons. By cleaning windows regularly, it will make the job easier the next time.

Windows are the way you view the outside world. Be sure to invest the time and effort in having the right equipment and doing it the right way. You won’t regret it when you look outside and everything looks brighter!