How to Clean Soap Scum
Soap scum is a natural phenomenon that affects every bathroom of a homeowner, no matter how careful. Soap scum occurs when the fatty ingredients in soap react with the minerals present in water, leading it to clinging to surfaces. After every shower or bath you take, a tiny layer of soap is left behind. If you are proactive in your cleaning, it removes quite easily with a little bit of water. If left for an extended period of time, you may have a harder time removing it. Do not worry, though. Our team at Perry Homes is here to help you keep your home sparkling clean.
How to Clean Soap Scum from Glass Shower Doors
Most shower doors are a transparent or frosted form of glass which doesn’t conceal soap scum very well. There are plenty of commercial cleaners that are able to clean up any potential problems, especially when used as directed. If this is the route you wish to take, make sure that you carefully read the instructions on the back of the bottle.
While commercial cleaners work well, there are plenty of reasons why one may choose to make their own cleaner. Making your own cleaners helps you save money and you know exactly what you’re putting in your home. In order to properly clean soap scum off of glass shower doors, all you need is one cup of baking soda and one-fourth cup of distilled white vinegar. Pour these two ingredients into a small plastic bowl. When the mixture stops fizzing, dip a microfiber cloth or sponge into the remaining solution and rub it on the glass doors. Allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes and then wipe them down completely with a clean microfiber cloth and plain water. Rinse well in order to avoid any stains.
If there is a heavy build-up, make the aforementioned baking soda and vinegar solution. In a separate bowl, pour half a cup of table salt. After dipping your microfiber cloth into the baking soda and vinegar, dip it into the table salt and clean. The added abrasiveness may help cut through the added build-up.
How to Clean Soap Scum Build-up From Acrylic Bathtubs and Showers
While acrylic bathtubs and showers are durable and cost-effective, they can quickly grow dull with soap scum. These materials also cannot stand up to harsh cleaners and abrasive shower pads. While there are commercial cleaners that are made specifically for acrylic surfaces, you can also make your own.
Create a solution made of one cup of baking soda and one-fourth cup of white distilled vinegar. The solution will foam for a moment, but when it stops, spread the paste on the floor and the walls with a non-abrasive sponge or a microfiber cloth. Let it sit for at least ten minutes and then rinse it away. Be sure that you wipe the surfaces completely with a soft towel in order to avoid any spotting.
If the soap scum is heavier than usual, mix a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide into your baking soda and vinegar mixture. Spread this mixture onto your acrylic bathtub and let it sit for between 15-30 minutes. Rinse it off before drying well.
How to Remove Soap Scum from Shower Walls
The ceramic tile that many shower walls are made of is often hard and it is easier to remove soap scum from them than many other finishes. Once again, you may use commercial soap scum removers or you may opt instead for the aforementioned concoction of baking soda and distilled white vinegar.
If your shower walls have accumulated very heavy soap scum, it may be in your interest to use a wet pumice stone to carefully remove the buildup. Be absolutely certain that the stone you are using is dry, as excessive scratching can occur. It is also important to note that you should never use a pumice stone on a fiberglass tub or shower.
To properly utilize the pumice stone, very gently rub the wet stone over the hardened soap scum. Clean a very small area at a time until you can see the scum being transferred to the stone. Then carefully rinse the stone in plain water and scrub the stone with a stiff-bristled brush. Repeat this process as much as necessary. While working in a small area at a time may feel overly cautious, it is important to making sure that you do not damage your wall. Once you have removed the soap scum, wipe down the walls with distilled white vinegar to remove the final traces. Finally, do a final rinse with plain water before drying completely with a soft cloth.
How to Clean Soap Scum from Tile and Grout
If you wish to purchase a commercial cleanser, there are plenty of tile and grout cleaners available. Some of them have combined fighting power for both materials, while some are tile or grout specific. Whichever product you decide to choose, make sure that you read the directions on the label carefully.
For an all-natural tile cleaner, consider once again using a baking soda and vinegar mixture. Depending on the amount of soap scum, it may not be necessary to use as much of the mixture on tile and grout as it is for glass or acrylic. Apply your mixture to the tile and grout with a sponge or microfiber cloth, let sit for 15 minutes and then rinse. Make sure that you dry thoroughly.
Our team at Perry Homes wants to keep every room of your home clean and looking beautiful. Head over to our our blog for more cleaning tips and tricks and do not forget to take a look at our new homes for sale.