The Best Natural Scrubs for Shower Doors, Tubs and Tiles

Introduction

As the owner of AdamCleaning.uk, I understand the importance of maintaining a clean and hygienic living environment. One of the areas that often requires special attention is the bathroom, where soap scum, hard water stains, and mildew can accumulate on shower doors, tubs, and tiles. While many commercial cleaning products contain harsh chemicals, I prefer to use natural scrubs that are safe for both the environment and your health. In this article, I will share with you the best natural scrubs for keeping your bathroom sparkling clean.

Baking Soda: The Versatile Cleaner

Baking soda is a versatile and affordable natural cleaning agent that can be used on various surfaces, including shower doors, tubs, and tiles. Its mild abrasive properties make it an excellent choice for removing stubborn stains and grime.

To create a baking soda scrub, you need:

• Baking soda
• Water
• (Optional) Liquid castile soap or lemon juice

Here’s how you can make it:

1. In a bowl, mix baking soda with enough water to form a paste-like consistency.
2. If desired, add a few drops of liquid castile soap or lemon juice for extra cleaning power and a fresh scent.
3. Using a damp sponge or cloth, apply the scrub to the surface you want to clean.
4. Gently scrub in circular motions, focusing on the stained or grimy areas.
5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a towel.

The abrasive nature of baking soda helps to remove tough stains and build-up, while the optional addition of castile soap or lemon juice provides a natural degreasing and disinfecting effect.

Salt: A Gentle Abrasive for Tough Stains

Salt is another natural ingredient that can be used as a gentle abrasive for cleaning shower doors, tubs, and tiles. Its coarse texture makes it effective at removing stubborn stains and grime, without scratching delicate surfaces.

To create a salt scrub, you’ll need:

• Salt (sea salt or kosher salt work best)
• Liquid castile soap or lemon juice

Here’s how you can make it:

1. In a small bowl, mix equal parts salt and liquid castile soap or lemon juice to form a paste-like consistency.
2. Apply the scrub to the surface you want to clean using a damp sponge or cloth.
3. Gently scrub in circular motions, focusing on the stained or grimy areas.
4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a towel.

The salt acts as a mild abrasive, while the liquid castile soap or lemon juice helps to cut through grease and grime. This scrub is particularly effective for removing hard water stains and soap scum buildup.

Vinegar: A Natural Disinfectant and Deodorizer

Vinegar is a versatile natural cleaner that not only helps to remove stains and grime but also acts as a disinfectant and deodorizer. Its acidic properties make it an excellent choice for tackling mildew and soap scum buildup.

To create a vinegar scrub, you’ll need:

• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• (Optional) Essential oils (e.g., lemon, tea tree, or lavender)

Here’s how you can make it:

1. In a spray bottle, mix equal parts white vinegar and water.
2. Sprinkle baking soda generously over the surface you want to clean.
3. Spray the vinegar solution over the baking soda, allowing the two to react and create a foaming action.
4. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to work on the stains and grime.
5. Scrub the surface with a damp sponge or cloth, using circular motions.
6. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a towel.
7. (Optional) Add a few drops of essential oils to the vinegar solution for a pleasant scent.

The combination of vinegar and baking soda creates a powerful natural cleaning agent that can tackle even the toughest stains and mildew buildup. The optional addition of essential oils can help to mask the vinegar scent and leave your bathroom smelling fresh and clean.

Lemon Juice: A Natural Degreaser and Brightener

Lemon juice is a natural degreaser and brightener that can be used to clean and freshen up shower doors, tubs, and tiles. Its acidic properties help to cut through grease and grime, while its natural bleaching ability can help to brighten and whiten surfaces.

To create a lemon juice scrub, you’ll need:

• Lemon juice
• Baking soda or salt

Here’s how you can make it:

1. In a small bowl, mix equal parts lemon juice and baking soda or salt to form a paste-like consistency.
2. Apply the scrub to the surface you want to clean using a damp sponge or cloth.
3. Gently scrub in circular motions, focusing on the stained or grimy areas.
4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a towel.

The lemon juice acts as a natural degreaser, while the baking soda or salt provides a gentle abrasive action to help remove stubborn stains and buildup. This scrub is particularly effective for cleaning and brightening shower doors and tiles.

Essential Oils: Adding a Fresh, Natural Scent

While many natural scrubs can leave a pleasant, refreshing scent, you can also add essential oils to enhance the fragrance and provide additional cleaning benefits. Here are some essential oils that work well in natural scrubs:

• Lemon: Known for its fresh, citrusy aroma and natural degreasing properties.
• Tea tree: Possesses antimicrobial and antifungal properties, making it great for tackling mildew and mold.
• Lavender: Adds a calming, floral scent and has natural antibacterial properties.
• Peppermint: Provides a refreshing, invigorating aroma and can help to deter insects.
• Eucalyptus: Has a refreshing, minty scent and can help to cut through grease and grime.

When using essential oils, start with just a few drops and adjust the amount according to your preference. Essential oils can also be combined to create custom scent blends.

Safety and Precautions

While natural scrubs are generally safe to use, it’s important to take some precautions to ensure your safety and protect your surfaces:

• Always test the scrub on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t damage or discolor the surface.
• Avoid using abrasive scrubs on delicate surfaces like marble or granite, as they can scratch or dull the finish.
• Use caution when working with acidic ingredients like vinegar or lemon juice, as they can irritate the skin or eyes if not handled properly.
• Wear gloves to protect your hands, especially if you have any cuts or abrasions.
• Ensure proper ventilation when using strong-smelling ingredients like vinegar or essential oils.

By following these simple precautions, you can safely and effectively use natural scrubs to keep your bathroom looking its best.

Conclusion

Using natural scrubs for cleaning shower doors, tubs, and tiles is an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to maintain a clean and hygienic bathroom. Ingredients like baking soda, salt, vinegar, lemon juice, and essential oils can be combined to create powerful yet gentle cleaning solutions that effectively remove stains, grime, and mildew buildup. By incorporating these natural scrubs into your cleaning routine, you can enjoy a sparkling clean bathroom while minimizing your exposure to harsh chemicals. Give these natural scrubs a try and experience the power of nature’s cleaning agents!