Like any other glass surface, a shower screen can be prone to accidental scratches and chips. This can weaken the glass and can harbour germs in a spot that is impossible to clean; and of course, it can damage the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom. Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of these scratches. Which one you will use depends on how deep the scratch is.

Firstly, there are several household substances you can use to polish the glass. Clear nail polish is one such; ensuring that the surface is clean and dry, try applying a thin layer of polish, then using nail polish remover on a cloth to wipe it away. White toothpaste is another item that can be used to polish the glass; use a damp cloth to rub it on to the scratch in a circular motion, then carefully clean it off again.

If the scratch is a little more serious, you could consider using an electric buffer. (There are also DIY polishing kits that are available that attach to an electric drill, which are then used in the same way.) If any chemicals were supplied with the buffer you can use those; otherwise jeweller's rouge (cerium oxide) can be used. The cleaner should be applied to the buffer pad and then the glass polished at a medium speed. Afterwards, the repair should be sprayed with an ammonia solution.

There are some drawbacks, however, to using an electric buffer. Firstly, the chemicals used are hazardous, so protective clothing, safety goggles and a dust mask are essential. Secondly, it is easy to apply too much pressure to the glass. The scratch may have weakened it already, and the last thing you need is for your repair to shatter it.

If these methods do not work, or if the scratch is very deep — deep enough that you can catch your fingernail in it — you still have a third option: Call the professionals. This will obviously cost more but has several advantages. A professional glass repairer will be able to remove scratches you never believed possible, and you will not have to worry about causing further damage to your shower screen. A professional will also be able to determine if you should look at new shower screens instead of repairing a damaged one.

So if looking at that scratch gets you down every time you take a shower, remember that a quick phone call can leave your screen looking clean and new — leaving you free to do the same to yourself!