How to Clean Soap Scum from Bathroom Easily

Bathroom cleaning is not the highlight, especially when you are facing soap scum problems. the only sure shot way to prevent soap scum is never to let anyone use water and soap. When the fatty bar soap ingredients react with water minerals and cling to the different bathroom surface, it is called soap scum. Removing it will become difficult if it hardens. Here’s how to remove soap scum from Glass Shower Doors, Fiberglass Shower Enclosures, Metal Shower, and Sink Fixtures, Ceramic Tiles, Natural Stone Tiles, and Fabric, and Plastic Shower Curtains.

 Glass Shower Doors Cleaning

A lot of commercial cleaners promise to remove soap scum from glass shower enclosures.these do a decent enough job if used weekly. You can make your own cleaner using distilled white vinegar and baking soda. Pour one cup of baking soda in a plastic bowl and mix one-fourth cup of white vinegar to form a thick paste. When the mixture stops fizzing, dip a sponge or microfiber cloth in this paste and apply it all over the glass doors. Let it sit for 15 minutes, and once it is dry, wash it with plain water. Dry it properly to avoid spotting. 

If the soap scum is too heavy, then make a different cleaner. First, make the vinegar and baking soda paste as directed. Then take a separate bowl and put one cup table salt. After you dip the sponge in the vinegar mixture, dip it again in salt and start cleaning. Table salt adds abrasiveness to this mixture, which can cut through the soap scum build-up.

Cleaning the sliding glass door track is the trickiest of all. You can use a homemade or commercial cleaner with a toothbrush to reach in between the tight spaces.

 Fiberglass Shower Enclosures Cleaning

Fiberglass showers and tubs are cost-effective and durable addition to the bathrooms. However, the finish of the fiberglass becomes dull, really quick due to soap scum, and cleaning using harsh cleaners and abrasive pads is not an option.

You can make your own fiberglass cleaner at home. Make a paste of one-fourth cup white distilled vinegar and one cup baking soda. Spread the paste all over the wall and floor of the enclosure using a microfiber cloth or sponge. Let it sit for 10 minutes and rinse away. Dry the surface using a soft towel.

If the soap scum is heavy, substitute vinegar with hydrogen peroxide in the baking soda paste. Spread it on fiberglass enclosure and keep it for 15-30 minutes. Rinse properly and dry.

Grab some borax from the laundry room to get rid of tough stains. Add lemon juice to make a paste. Apply it on the stain and let it sit for 15  minutes and then wipe away using a microfiber cloth. Rinse and buff dry.

Metal Shower and Sink Fixtures Cleaning

Stainless steel and chrome Fixtures-

The best way to cut through soap scum deposits is undiluted distilled white vinegar. Fill a plastic bag with vinegar for crusty showerheads. Attach the bag to the fixture with the help of a rubber band with a showerhead and submerge it completely submerge it in vinegar. Let the vinegar sit for one hour at least and then get rid of the bad. Rinse with water and dry it thoroughly.

Brass Fixture and Oil Rubbed-

It is recommended to use water for cleaning brass finishes with oil rubbed bronze. This is true in the case of living finishes because of change with time. Always make sure to check the instruction mentioned by manufacturers.  Dilute distilled vinegar with water in equal amounts. Remove tight spots mix white vinegar with baking soda to make a paste. Clean it using a sponge or non-abrasive cloth to apply the paste. Rinse it off using water and buff with a dry cloth.

 Ceramic Tile Cleaning

Porcelain tubs and glazed ceramic tile have hard finishes, which makes it easier to remove soap scum. You can commercial or homemade cleaner. If the scum is very heavy, use a wet pumice stone to get rid of the build-up. Don’t use dry stone, because it can cause scratching and never use the pumice stone on fiberglass materials.

Wet the tile and pumice stone. Very gently rub the solid pumice stone on the soap scum. Start working in a small area, and the scum will slowly transfer onto the stone. Rinse it with plain water and scrub the stone using a stiff-bristled brush. Move on to the nest area. Finish the process by wiping the entire tub with white distilled vinegar to remove any traces of scum. Then rinse with plain water and dry using a soft cloth.

When you are confused about how to remove soap scum from the hard surface, then you can use a power washer.

Natural Stone Tiles Cleaning

If you want a luxurious spa feel than natural stone is a perfect choice for your bathroom, water spotting, and soap scum is a problem depending on the stone type.

Commercial cleaners should not be used to clean soap sum on natural stone.these can be harsh and cause damage to the stone and leave it looking chalky and dull.

Instead, choose a natural stone cleaner. Follow the instructions mentioned by the manufacturer.

Fabric and Plastic Shower Curtains Cleaning

For cleaning shower, curtains and plastic liners use vinegar and water in equal amounts. Mix the solution in a large tub or drum, make enough solution to submerge the curtains in the mixture thoroughly. Let them soak overnight or eight hours minimum. Toss them into the washing machine along with towels, use regular detergent on a warm water cycle.

For fabric curtains, follow washing instructions mentioned on the tag, but do not forget to add one cup distilled white vinegar in a drum before beginning the cycle. This way, it will become easy to cut through soap scum. Hang to dry, or you can use tumbler dryer to dry a little and get rid of any wrinkles present but avoid over-drying.