Say Goodbye to Soap Scum with These Unexpected Methods

Use Vinegar

One of the most effective ways to remove soap scum is by using vinegar. Vinegar is acidic, which helps dissolve the mineral deposits that make up soap scum.

Here’s how I use vinegar to remove soap scum:

• I mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. White distilled vinegar works best for cleaning.
• I spray the vinegar solution directly onto the soap scum and let it sit for a few minutes. This gives the vinegar time to break down the scum.
• After letting it sit, I scrub the area with a damp sponge or cloth. The soap scum should wipe away easily.
• I rinse the surface with warm water and dry with a clean towel.

Vinegar is great for cleaning soap scum on tile, fiberglass showers and tubs, bathroom sinks, and kitchen sinks. It’s a natural, inexpensive, and effective method. The vinegar smell goes away quickly once the surface dries.

Use Baking Soda

Baking soda is another household staple that works wonders on soap scum. Here’s how I put baking soda to work:

• I make a paste by mixing 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water.
• I apply the paste to the soap scum and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
• After letting it sit, I scrub with a sponge or cloth. The abrasiveness of the baking soda helps remove the gunk.
• I rinse thoroughly and wipe dry with a clean towel.

The baking soda paste is gentle yet abrasive, so it can be used on most surfaces including fiberglass, tile, stainless steel, and porcelain. It’s also very affordable and non-toxic.

Use Lemon Juice

If you want to avoid harsh chemical cleaners, try using lemon juice to bust through soap scum. Citric acid in lemon juice cuts through the scum.

Here’s how I harness the cleaning power of lemons:

• I squeeze fresh lemon juice into a spray bottle and top it off with water. Approximately 1/4 cup lemon juice per 1 cup of water works well.
• I spray the lemon solution directly on soap scum deposits and let sit for 5 minutes.
• After letting it sit, I agitate with a sponge or brush and rinse thoroughly.
• I dry the surface with a clean towel to prevent new soap scum buildup.

Lemon juice works great for cleaning glass shower doors, stainless steel fixtures, bathroom mirrors, and kitchen sinks. It adds a fresh, clean scent while removing grime.

Polish with Baking Soda and Lemon

For an extra powerful soap scum remover, I combine baking soda and lemon juice into a scouring paste:

• I mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a thick paste.
• I spread the paste onto soap scum and let sit for 10 minutes.
• After letting it sit, I scrub the area using a damp sponge or toothbrush.
• I rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry with a clean towel.

The combination of baking soda and lemon juice makes an abrasive yet non-toxic cleaner that breaks down soap scum quickly and effectively. I find it works especially well for neglected or heavily-soiled areas.

Get Preventative with Squeegees

The best way to deal with soap scum is to prevent it in the first place. I use a squeegee on glass shower doors, mirrors, and tile walls after each shower or bath to wipe away excess water.

This prevents mineral deposits from forming as the water evaporates. It only takes a few seconds after showering to use the squeegee, but it makes a huge difference in the amount of soap scum that accumulates.

A shower squeegee is an inexpensive, easy way to cut down on time spent scrubbing soap scum. Just keep it hanging in the shower so it’s always at the ready!

Rinse with Distilled Vinegar

To prevent soap scum from coming back once you’ve cleaned it, I do a final rinse with distilled white vinegar after cleaning the shower or tub.

Here’s my rinse routine:

• After cleaning the shower/tub with another method, I fill a spray bottle with undiluted distilled white vinegar.
• I lightly spray all surfaces and do not rinse.
• I let the vinegar air dry.

The vinegar helps remove any last traces of soap scum or mineral deposits. As it dries, it seals the surface and helps prevent future buildup. A periodic vinegar rinse helps keep soap scum at bay.

Takeaways

• Vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice make excellent natural soap scum removers.
• Create scouring pastes with baking soda or a combination of baking soda and lemon juice to bust through stubborn gunk.
• Be preventative by using a squeegee and rinsing with vinegar after showering.
• With some household staples and a little scrubbing, it’s possible to say goodbye to annoying soap scum!