Here’s how you can get rid of soap scum in tubs and showers.
You’ve been working so hard all week and you can’t wait for the weekend to start. How to reward yourself for doing a great job? Nothing beats standing under a warm shower or soaking in a hot tub, after a long and stressful work week.
You get home and start the water in your tub before going to the kitchen to get some wine. Going back to the tub to check the water, you find “flaky” things floating in your hot water tub. They are a form of shower grime called soap scums. Can you still have a relaxing time knowing that you’re going to be soaking in a hot tub full of soap scum? We think not.
You can only properly address a problem if you know the root cause. In this case, make sure that it really is soap scum so that you can get rid of it right away. But how can we tell bathroom grime apart?
Different Types of Bathroom Grime
There are four types of bathroom grime: hard water, molds, mildew and soap scum.
Hard water has higher mineral content leaving a grimy and dull stain on your bathroom surfaces when it evaporates. The higher calcium and magnesium content of hard water are the main culprits. Spraying the surfaces with a 1:1 ratio of water and vinegar solution, and wiping it clean after a few seconds usually does the trick.
Molds appear as dark grime in your bathroom, mostly building up in areas that don’t dry quickly, like grout and corners. Applying a paste by mixing baking soda and vinegar, letting it stay for hours before rinsing and wiping it dry, can address your bathroom mold issues.
Mildew are the ones often mistaken as soap scum because they usually have the same white or gray appearance, minus the musky smell that the mildew has. Spraying it with a solution made from vinegar and another acid (like citrus juice) and wiping it clean can solve your mildew problem. You can also use the paste for molds but remember to add any citrus juice to the paste mixture first.
Soap scum are layers of white, chalky or filmy residue that usually cover bathroom surfaces. They cause eyesore on your bathroom sink, tub and shower. Soap scum forms when the fatty acid ingredient from your favorite shampoo and soap mix with the minerals from hard water. Soap scum are white or gray film that washes off during shower. If you do not rinse it from your floor regularly, it will start building up and will be harder to remove. You can use the vinegar solution used to clean hard water stains. But before you do, add a tablespoon of dish soap. Spray on the soap scum and let it stay for at least ten minutes. Scrub the area before rinsing and drying properly.
Other Ways to Remove Soap Scum
Now that you’re sure it really is soap scum, you can use the ways below to effectively get rid of it from your tubs and showers.
DIY or homemade soap scum cleaners are your best options if you want something not too harsh on your tub and shower surfaces. Try the ideas below to see which will work best for you.
Vinegar, Water and Dish SoapÂ
The ratio here is 1:1 vinegar and water, plus one tablespoon of dish soap. Put them in a spray bottle and shake before spraying. Spray on the soap scum-affected areas and leave for fifteen minutes to let it work its magic. Use a soft-bristled scrub to brush the surfaces before rinsing with hot water. Properly dry the surface afterward.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
Mixing a cup of baking soda with enough vinegar will create a paste. It will fizz at first, but after it stops, you can use a sponge for application. Let it sit on your tub and shower surfaces for about ten to fifteen minutes before wiping. Rinse with water then dry properly.
Pumice Stone and Some Elbow Grease
You can use a wet pumice stone on porcelain surfaces as long as you work carefully. If you are not aware how to do it, it might scratch your surfaces. Give it a try first on a small surface first. Wet both the pumice stone and the tub or shower surface. Gently rub the wet pumice stone on the soap scum. After, you can clean the stone of soap scum with a stiff-bristled brush.
If you are not for DIYs, you can always use hard stain, grime remover or other store-bought products to clean your tub and shower soap scum. Commercial cleaners are usually effective not just for soap scum but for all the other grimes on your surfaces.
How to Prevent Soap Scum
After all the elbow grease, how can you prevent the soap scum from forming again? Here are some tips you can consider.
Consider Buying and Installing a Water Softener
This will remove the minerals in the water causing the soap scum. If you’re not up to buying one, you can always add Epsom salt to your bath to soften the water and keep the soap scum at bay.
Ditch the Bar Soap and Switch to Bath Gel or Liquid Soap
Bar soaps contain fatty acids that cause soap scum. Switching products will help you address the filth.
Regular Cleaning can Help Prevent Soap Scum Build UpÂ
Wash off any soap or shampoo residue after your shower or soak. Wipe your tub and shower walls dry to prevent soap scums and other bathroom grimes from building up.
Ask Clean My Space To Do It For You
If you find cleaning too tiring, worry no more. We at Clean My Space are always ready to lend a hand. Just reach out and secure a cleaning schedule. Our team of well-trained and professional cleaners is sure to give you back the de-stressing and relaxing bath you’ve been wanting.
