Tired of scrubbing your shower for hours and still seeing soap scum? This quick and easy DIY soap scum remover cuts through grime, hard water stains, and buildup using just two common ingredients, and it actually works!
When we remodeled our bathroom a few years ago, I was thrilled with how the new shower looked...until the soap scum buildup started showing up on the shower floor. It didn’t take long for that beautiful, clean look to fade, especially with hard water stains and soap residue settling in.
Like many others, I had seen the Dawn and vinegar trick all over Pinterest, so I gave it a try. Unfortunately, it was way too soapy for our shower and didn’t give me the results I wanted. After testing a few different mixtures and homemade cleaner recipes, I finally found one that cut through the grime and left my shower looking almost brand new.
If you're looking for a DIY soap scum remover that doesn’t require hours of scrubbing or expensive commercial cleaners, this is it.
Ways to Use Homemade Soap Scum Remover
This method combines the cleaning power of white vinegar with Dawn dish soap to cut through layers of soapy residue, body oils, and dead skin cells, the main causes of soap scum buildup. It works well on a variety of bathroom surfaces, including:
- Fiberglass enclosures
- Glass shower doors
- Shower walls and tiles
- Bathtubs
- Ceramic tile
- Shower curtains
- Shower heads
The best part? You probably have everything you need already in your cleaning cabinet.
Supplies Needed for This DIY Cleaner
- White Vinegar (just the regular white vinegar)
- Dish Soap (I prefer Blue Dawn)
- Spray Bottle (I love these spray bottles from Amazon)
- Scrub Brush (this electric one from Amazon works great)
This mixture is a natural cleaner that avoids harsh commercial products, making it a great option for anyone wanting to switch to non-toxic cleaning products.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Soap Scum Removal
Step 1: Combine 1 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup of Dawn dish soap in a clean spray bottle.
Step 2: Shake well to fully blend the mixture.
Step 3: Spray the solution directly onto affected areas like shower tiles, glass doors, and the tub surface.
Step 4: Let it sit for 15 minutes so the vinegar can break down hard water stains and minerals.
Step 5: Use your scrub brush in circular motions to scrub the area.
Step 6: Rinse thoroughly with hot water.
Step 7: Repeat the process if needed for more stubborn scum areas
If you're working in a small area, you may want to test it first to ensure it doesn't affect natural stone or other different materials. Avoid using this on granite or marble unless it's a verified natural stone cleaner.
Pro Tips for Best Results
You can also add a bit of hydrogen peroxide or baking soda paste to target hard water deposits or deeper grime.
Use hot water when rinsing to loosen remaining residue.
For a deeper cleaning, let the mixture soak for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
Wipe dry with a clean microfiber cloth to prevent streaks.
For regular cleaning, use a daily shower spray or a small squeegee to help prevent build-up.
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What to Avoid
- Never mix this cleaner with bleach or other commercial cleaners.
- Don’t leave it on for too long on natural stone or unsealed tile.
- Be cautious on slippery surfaces. The Dawn soap can leave the floor slick if not rinsed completely.
Why This is the Best Soap Scum Remover
Not only is this method easy and affordable, it’s also highly effective. It saves you from needing a professional cleaning service, and works on shower surfaces that are often tricky to clean.
If you’re tired of dealing with stubborn soap scum or constantly trying different cleaning products that don’t work, this true method is a great way to make real progress.
Final Step: Rinse Thoroughly
This might seem like an obvious step, but rinsing thoroughly with plain water is one of the most important things. Any leftover soapy residue can leave your shower floor slippery. Once your shower is clean, give it a quick dry with a microfiber cloth or towel to keep it sparkling longer.
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DIY Soap Scum Remover
Ingredients
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup Dawn dish soap
- Spray bottle
- Scrub brush
Instructions
- Combine 1 cup of white vinegar and 1/2 cup of Dawn dish soap in a clean spray bottle.
- Close the bottle tightly and shake it well until the ingredients are fully blended.
- Spray the mixture generously onto the soap scum, covering all affected areas of your shower or tub.
- Let the solution sit for 15 minutes so it can begin to break down the soap residue and hard water buildup.
- Use a scrub brush to work over the surface using circular motions.
- Rinse the area thoroughly with hot water to remove all traces of the cleaner.
- For any remaining buildup, repeat the process and let it soak a bit longer before scrubbing again.
- Once the surface is clean, rinse again and dry with a microfiber cloth to prevent streaking or slippery residue.
Dolores says
How to remover urine stain on a down quilt
Julie says
Vinegar works great on urine. I would try to spray it down with some vinegar and then sprinkle baking soda over the area. Let the quilt completely dry and dust off all of the baking soda. If you still notice a urine smell and get desperate you can always try washing it at home in your washing machine. You can see how I wash dry clean clothing at home below.
https://www.frugallyblonde.com/washing-dry-clean-clothing-home/
Sandra Herrera says
I have really have hard water and my toilets have a lot of calcium build up. What can l do???
Julie says
Hi Sandra, I use this trick on my toilets for hard water. I hope this helps.
https://www.frugallyblonde.com/how-to-clean-toilet-stains-like-a-pro/
Carol says
Do you have ideas for a vertical surface?
Julie says
If you need the vinegar on your walls I would recommend putting it in a spray bottle and spraying down the walls. You can also try this trick that I use on my shower doors.
https://www.frugallyblonde.com/the-no-scrub-way-to-clean-your-shower-door/
Anita says
Thanks for the “recipe “ for soap scum removal! I’ll give it a try next week! Sounds easy but effective!