How to Remove Soap Scum From Every Bathroom Surface
You come home from work tired with one thing in your mind - a relaxing bath. As you enter the bathroom, something catches your eye in the bathtub. It’s that dreaded ring around your tub called soap scum. On checking the shower doors and ceramic tiles, the soap scum is present too.
Let’s face it. Cleaning the bathtub was not in your mind, but rather than let the soap scum problem get you down, learn how to remove soap scum. If you put it off, the soap scum will be difficult to remove.
Why you may ask. Soap scum builds up when the fatty ingredients in the bar soap react with the minerals in the water. With time, the buildup starts clinging to the surfaces of your bathtub. Every time you drain your tub or take a shower, you will have the dreadful layer soap scum on the surfaces.
Want to know how to remove soap scum from bathtub?
In this post, we demonstrate how to remove soap scum.
How to Remove Soap Scum From Shower Door
Your bathtub is not the only victim of soap scum buildup. As you shower, the minerals in the water also react with the soap creating soap scum. The good news is, you can learn how to remove old soap scum from glass shower doors. Here is what you need to do.
You can buy Sheiner’s cleaning products ideal for both professional and home use. In fact, our cleaning products are effective in removing grime, dirt and soap scum on all surfaces.
You also have the choice of preparing a homemade solution. To make your own cleaner, you need baking soda and distilled white vinegar. Pour one-fourth cup of white vinegar into a small bowl containing a cup of baking soda.
When you do so, the mixture will fizz. To prepare a paste, wait until the mixture stops fizzing. Take a microfiber cloth, dip in the mix, and apply on your glass shower doors.
Allow the paste to sit for 15 to 30 minutes before wiping down the glass surface with plain warm water and a microfiber cloth.
Rinse the surface and allow it to dry.
If the buildup is heavy, prepare the mixture above plus a cup of table salt in another bowl. Dip the cloth in the baking soda mixture before dipping it in table salt and wiping away the soap scum.
How to Remove Soap Scum in Bathtub
If you discover a gross layer of soap scum coating your bathtub, here is what you need to do to get rid of it. Use Borax, a natural mineral that is also used as a scouring powder and cleaning agent. The reason why is because Borax is a great deodorizing abrasive agent.
As such, it’s effective in removing soap scum from your bathtub. Besides removing soap scum, Borax kills mildew and mold.
To clean your bathtub with Borax, take a cup of Borax, two tablespoons of dishwashing detergent, and 2 cups of water. Mix these ingredients in a bowl to form a paste. Using a soft bristle brush, apply the paste to the affected area.
Allow the solution to sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Make sure that the paste does not dry completely. Take the soft bristle brush and begin scrubbing the paste way. If done correctly, the bristle brush will remove both the paste and the soap scum.
Pour warm water in the tub and rinse your bathtub. Using a microfiber cloth, dry the bathtub surface to remove traces of grime.
How to Remove Soap Scum From Tile
Glazed ceramic tiles make it easy to remove the soap scum. To remove soap scum from ceramic tiles, we recommend using our commercial cleaning products. Alternatively, you can prepare a homemade cleaner. Pour a cup of baking soda and a one-fourth cup of distilled white vinegar in a bowl.
Use a microfiber cloth to apply the mixture to the affected area. Later, rinse with warm water and a clean cloth. If the buildup is heavy, use a wet pumice stone. This will allow you to scrub the soap scum away.
Remember, do not use the pumice stone when dry. Doing so will cause excessive scratching and leave black marks on your ceramic tiles. Also, do not use the pumice stone on your glass shower doors or fiberglass bathtub.
Alternatively, use a power washer.
How to Remove Soap Scum From Fiberglass Shower Doors
Fiberglass shower doors are attractive and a great addition to your bathroom. But they can quickly become dull as a result of soap scum buildup. The good news is, you can remove the soap scum and make the shower doors look good again.
You can buy our commercial cleaners formulated for fiberglass shower doors and tub. But remember, fiberglass cannot stand up to abrasive scouring pads and harsh cleaning agents. To make your homemade cleaner, prepare a cup of baking soda and a one-fourth cup of white vinegar.
Mix in a plastic bowl and allow the mixture to stop fizzing. Take a microfiber cloth, dip it in the mix, and apply on the fiberglass shower doors. Allow the mixture to sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Take a sponge, dip it in clean water, and rinse the fiberglass shower door.
Dry the surface with a clean cloth.
If the buildup is heavy, use hydrogen peroxide instead of distilled white vinegar. Just add a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide into the cup of baking soda.
Final Thoughts
There are several ways to avoid soap scum. First off, switch from bar soap to liquid body soap. Liquid body soap is a detergent. As such, it will not react with minerals in the water to form soap scum.
Second, before taking a bubble bath, add a quarter cup of baking soda or Epsom salt. This will soften the water and prevent soap scum buildup. Also, it will make your bath to be smooth as silk.
Lastly, always dry your shower and bathtub with a microfiber cloth after use.