The aluminum in your shower door is durable and resistant to water damage. It is advisable, but not necessary, to wipe it dry with your towel after your shower. It should be cleaned at least weekly with a soft damp cloth to remove any buildup. If you have hard water and need to use a mild detergent or a stronger cleaning agent, be sure to rinse it off thoroughly. BEMA (Bath Enclosure Manufacturing Association) endorses the use of Comet Nonabrasive Bathroom Cleaner for the safe cleaning of glass and anodized aluminum.
Never use an abrasive cleaner of any kind. Although anodized aluminum is exceptionally resistant to corrosion, discoloration and wear, its natural beauty can be marred by harsh chemicals, abuse or neglect. Such conditions usually affect only the surface finish but do not reduce the service life of the aluminum. Many glass cleaners can damage the anodized surface of the aluminum if allowed to remain on the metal for any length of time.
When you use harsh abrasive cleaners or steel wool, you cause the protective anodized coating to break down. When this happens, you will lose the shiny coating and the bare aluminum will be exposed and, as a result, will corrode. This corrosion is sometimes called “white rust” because it looks like white rust. While “white rust” is not pleasant to look at, it will not affect the durability or safety of your shower enclosure. Removing “white rust” once it appears is not easy. It is best you prevent damage of the aluminum by taking care when you clean your shower enclosure by using a nonabrasive cleaner (like comet Nonabrasive Bathroom Cleaner) and a soft, damp cloth. This will help protect the anodized coating and prevent corrosion of the aluminum.