The buildup of soap scum doesn’t look appealing at all. Soap is a cleaner, but it makes things look gross and old when it gets stuck in bathroom surfaces. If it’s not removed for weeks, it can accumulate dirt and mold and even serve as a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
What is Soap Scum Build-up?
Soap scum is the result of magnesium and calcium particles in water combined with oils and other soap ingredients. The harder your water is, the more likely soap scum will form. Over time, it leads to tough stains that look unsightly and leads to an unpleasant bathing experience.
If you’re not sure what soap scum looks like, take a look at your glass shower doors. If it has a cloudy appearance, it’s a sign that it has a buildup of scum and hard water.
Every time you use water and soap, a new layer of soap scum forms over the existing one. It also causes mildew, which colonizes damp and dark areas. Some people can be allergic to mold, but even if you’re not, exposure to mildew can irritate your skin, lungs, eyes, and throat.
If you need help removing soap scum from tiles (most effective ways), check this out.
DIY Soap Scum Removers
You can use bleach and other cleaners, but if you don’t want to expose you and your family to these harmful chemicals, you can opt for natural ways to remove soap scum. Try these natural cleaners you can make and use at home:
1. Microfiber cloth
Using DIY soap scum removers can help, but prevention is the key to effective bathroom cleaning. To prevent damage, you can wipe down the shower stalls after each use with a microfiber cloth. Start with either a wet shower or a damp microfiber cloth and scrub away.
2. Vinegar and water solution
Hard water is the culprit why soap scum gets stuck on sinks, tubs, and other surfaces in the bathroom. The magnesium and calcium on the water cause stains and helps strengthen soap buildup on walls. This mixture can help soften the water and remove the hard water stains that cause the buildup of soap scum.
What you need:
½ cup hot water
½ cup white vinegar
Large glass spray bottle
What to do:
Pour hot water carefully into the glass spray bottle. Add the vinegar and shake the mixture evenly. Spray copious amounts into the surface, especially into the bar soap suds and residue buildup. For removing tough stains, let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. Scrub and wash it clean.
3. Baking soda and dishwashing soap
Baking soda is a favorite ingredient in DIY cleaning solutions because it’s abrasive enough to remove tough stains, soap scum, and hard water buildup. It also offers effective deodorizing action.
What you need:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 tablespoon liquid dishwashing soap
- 1-2 cups water
- Soft bristle brush
What to do:
Mix the ingredients together until it forms a paste. Using a soft bristle brush, apply the solution to the surface you need to clean. Let it sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing. Rinse with hot water and wipe away the remaining grime.
4. Vinegar, baking soda, and dishwashing soap
If your glass shower door is always harboring soap scum and hard water stains every now and then, here’s a good baking soda-based DIY recipe.
What you need:
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 2 tablespoons liquid dishwashing soap
- Empty spray bottle
- Scrub brush or sponge
What to do:
Pour ingredients into the spray bottle and shake well. Spray generous amounts on the soap scum buildup on the glass doors. Let it sit for a few minutes up to half an hour before scrubbing. Rinse thoroughly with water.
5. Vinegar and dishwashing liquid
In slippery areas where soap scum has built up, this recipe can be helpful. Vinegar is your secret weapon to fight grease and slippery areas. It’s a great tool because you already use it in the kitchen, plus it’s so cheap.
What you need:
- 1 cups of water
- 1 cups vinegar
- 1/4 tablespoon liquid dishwashing soap
- Soft bristle brush
- Empty spray bottle
What to do:
Mix all ingredients together in a spray bottle. Spray the affected surfaces with the solution. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then scrub the spot with a soft bristle brush. Rinse the area thoroughly with hot water and wipe it with a cloth. Do not use this solution for granite, marble, and other natural stone surfaces.
6. Borax and dishwashing liquid
Borax is a natural mineral that works as a deodorizing scouring powder. It’s a safer alternative for harsh chemicals – plus, it kills mildew and prevents it from coming back.
What you need:
- One cup borax
- 2 tablespoons liquid dishwashing soap
- Soft bristle brush
- 1-2 cups of water
What to do:
Mix these components together to let it form a paste. Apply the solution using a soft bristle brush and let it sit for 15 minutes. Scrub the soap scum away until the buildup is gone. Rinse the area with hot water. Make sure it’s rinsed thoroughly as borax and be slippery. Do not store it in a container, as the borax will harden and stick to your container.
7. Isopropyl alcohol and dishwashing liquid
Most DIY cleaners are made of vinegar, but these products damage natural stone and granite. Using alcohol and dish soap instead will help.
What you need:
- 3 cups of water
- 1 cup isopropyl alcohol
- ½ teaspoon dishwashing liquid soap
- Empty spray bottle
- Damp cloth
- 10 drops of lemon essential oil (optional)
What to do:
Combine all ingredients in the spray bottle. Shake well before using. Spray on marble or granite surfaces, then wait for 30 seconds to wipe it clean using a damp cloth. There’s no need to rinse this solution.
How to Prevent Soap Scum Buildup
It’s always best to prevent soap scum buildup so you can avoid dealing with hard-to-remove stains. Here are some ways to do it:
1. Use vegetable-based soaps
To avoid heavy soap scum buildup, you can switch to natural, vegetable-based soap for showering. Natural soap can be rinsed clean and will not leave a scummy buildup, unlike animal fat or petroleum-based soap.
2. Switch to body wash
If you can avoid bar soap altogether and use body wash instead, the better. Body washes do not contain fats that a bar soap does, so they are less likely to create soap scum.
3. Use a daily shower cleaner spray
After cleaning your shower surfaces, use a daily shower spray from now on to keep the soap scum and mildew away. Spritz it on walls, glass shower doors, and even the tub.
What you need:
(For glass, tile, and fiberglass surfaces)
- 1 ½ cup water
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 5 drops essential oils (optional) – peppermint, tea tree, or lavender
(For marble, granite, and natural stone surfaces)
- 1 ½ cup water
- ½ cup isopropyl alcohol
- 5 drops essential oils (optional) – peppermint, tea tree, or lavender
What to do:
Combine all ingredients and mix it in a spray bottle. Spray the walls, shower doors, and floor of your shower area and tub. Spray it on shower curtains, too. Let the surfaces air dry.