Looking for a Way to Clean Soap Scum Buildup off Shower Walls and Doors

Updated on August 02, 2009
T.M. asks from Wichita, KS
30 answers

I have a "non-parent" request....how in the world do I get soap scum and soap buildup off shower walls, floors, and glass doors? I have tried so many different products and scrubbing till I can't scrub any more but cannot seem to get my shower clean. I'm not talking about a little buildup either - I could almost use some sort of a knife or scraper to get all of this off. It is just so nasty looking I can hardly stand it anymore - it is clean I guess, because I do scrub and clean it, but it just will not come off and you can feel and see the buildup everywhere no matter what I do. Does anyone have a solution or some type of cleaner that you use that will take care of this?

4 moms found this helpful

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M.E.

answers from St. Louis on

I use dryer sheets, they work great! I know someone else suggested "used" dryer sheet, but I use new ones. Works like a charm.

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N.H.

answers from Topeka on

Have you tried "The Works"? I am amazed at what that stuff can do. My folks even use that brand of toilet bowl cleaner to clean the stuff off the side of their sailboat! Other than that, what about one of the vinegar solutions? You should be able to find a recipe online. Homemade household cleansers.
Good luck!

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H.H.

answers from Kansas City on

have you tried CLR? It is a stronger cleaner and we cleaned a rental house that was all scum and black and it came clean. Spray it all over and let it sit a few minutes then scrub.

More Answers

M.B.

answers from St. Louis on

TILEX, TILEX, TILEX! I cannot say enough good things about Tilex! If your build up is really bad, spray some Tilex on it, and get a good scrubber. When its really bad I use one of those scrubbers with the handle. For everyday, after every shower I wipe down the shower with a shower puff (not the same one I use on myself). If you give it a quick wipe down after every shower the scum wont have a chance to build up. I figured I could take a minute out and do that everyday rather than trying to scrub that scum off when it gets out of control. If I do that everyday, I only have to use the Tilex about once a week to get it extra clean, so Im not going through a bottle of Tilex a week.
As you can see, I have put a lot of thought into this.....lol. I cannot handle a dirty shower or bath, but Tilex has more than impressed me! Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
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E.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I use the KABOOM cleaner or TILEX. Once clean, go over the shower with pure lemon oil - like Holloway House or any type to keep the build up from surfacing again. Hope this helps. E.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.B.

answers from St. Louis on

I clean houses and I would have recommended Tilex a year ago. But now I have found an unbelievable product. CLR for kitchen and baths. It's a yellow pump bottle. Just spray it on and let it sit for a little bit then use a scrub.

L.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from St. Louis on

Mr. Clean magic erasers! They work wonders in the shower!

1 mom found this helpful
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V.R.

answers from Kansas City on

I have just heard about WD-40. I understand it will clean shower glass doors. Have not tried it yet myself but I plan to. Might have to use a putty knife (perhaps with a cloth over it to avoid scrapping or scratching) with about anything you use to clean it - sounds like!
Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

C.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I would try the Magic Erasers, however, I'm not sure how many you'd have to go through with teh amount you are talking about?! Other than that, I've been happy with Chlorox for the bathroom!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I have not tried this, but I read that if you use a plastic grocery bag wadded up as your scrubber, it doesn't matter what cleanser you use, somehow the bag helps tremendously to get the soap scum off the doors.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.R.

answers from Wichita on

I use white vinegar. I don't dilute it, just pour it into a spray bottle. Don't be afraid to use a lot, it's cheap! Let it sit a few minutes, wipe down then rinse. I use a microfiber-type shop cloth that I bought at Sam's, but I'm sure another type of rag would work fine. Good luck!

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B.C.

answers from Joplin on

I worked at Merry Maids....the answer is easy ( very little elbow grease) get some Lemon oil and a soft cloth ( I use old cloth diapers) it should come right off. Be careful if you get it on the floor of the shower it will be slippery, we usually only used it on the doors. We did have a little scraper tool that seemed very helpful for tough build up. I think you might be able to use it to loosen the buildup on the floor of the shower bed as long as you used something to remove it so it was not slippery afterward. Lots of luck
B.

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J.H.

answers from St. Louis on

The best product I have found for cleaning soap scum off my shower doors, walls and even the shower floor is Tylex Soap Scum Remover. I spray it on, give it a good scrub and then let it sit for a little while while I clean the rest of the bathroom (I might even spray a little extra on after the initial scrubbing to let it sit on there), then I scrub it again and it comes right off. Soap scum is a pain in the rear and hard to get rid of once its there, I know! I absolutely HATE cleaning my master bathroom shower, so I deal with this issue when I do clean it and this is the best way I;ve found that requires the least amount of elbow grease from me.

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J.A.

answers from Wichita on

good morning
We put in a new shower 3 years ago, and after every shower we use a squeegee and then I dry it off after I have dried myself. I haven't even had to use any cleaner on the shower walls, and the tub part maybe 4 times. It was a hard habit to get into but now it might take me 3 minutes to do, but well worth it, my shower always looks brand new. In my old bathroom CLR was great for scum and hard water build up.

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K.O.

answers from Wichita on

Hi T.!
If you have hard water, this problem may continue. I realize that it is expensive, but a water softener will help with the problem.
Good luck! Happy scrubbing!
K.

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D.Z.

answers from St. Louis on

Any soap scum remover product will work but the trick is to spray an let set a few minutes before wiping it off. You can always go back to vinegar if the soap scum remover doesn't work on your bathroom.

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A.C.

answers from St. Louis on

Clorox cleanup works really well for me and the magic eraser. Then buy the scrubbing bubbles everyday shower cleaner after you get it off. It hangs in your shower, and after your shower each day you push the button. It sprays cleaner around the entire shower. It works really well at preventing buildup from forming.

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S.M.

answers from St. Louis on

best thing i have ever used to get rid of shower stuff is plain white vinegar! spray it on-let it set for awhile-then simply wipe or rinse off-ok if it is too strong in smell then use a window cleaner or your favorite shower cleaner to get rid of the smell. Always works and is "green".

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J.C.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi T.,

Aren't shower doors fun! I heard dryer sheets work well, so I tried it and they do work. Save your dryer sheets after you use them in the dryer, wet it and wipe down your shower door, walls etc... I've also heard that if you put one in your pocket it is supposed to keep mosquito's away. I haven't tried that one yet. Also, Easy Off oven cleaner works, just spray in shower let it sit for awhile and then wipe clean, you may have to scrub the first few times to get the build up off but after you get it clean use turtle wax on your shower door to keep soap scum from building up and clean regularly. I put turtle wax on my shower doors about every 3 mo's or so... Good Luck----J.

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B.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi T.,

We had a similar problem in my previous home. When we moved in we thought the shower door was frosted glass. YUCK! I don't use any harsh chemicals in my house at all. You can use some lemon juice in a spray bottle, or, go get some Borax! I love this stuff. Wet the shower, and then liberally sprinkle some Borax on your scrubbing cloth. (Make sure you wear rubber gloves!) Should come off like a charm. After that, I recommend using method daily shower cleaner to prevent this from happening again. Good luck!

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S.G.

answers from Kansas City on

T.,

I have used those magic erasers and the work great. I also have gotten my family into the habit of taking a cup and rinsing down the walls with plan water before they get out. That has helped alot.'

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S.V.

answers from St. Louis on

If it is thick, I would just go ahead and scrape off what I could with a knife or razor or something, then tilex and lime-away the rest!

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K.B.

answers from Wichita on

Good Morning T., WOW you have 7 response's already and I was hoping you would too. I have same thing in hubbys shower. I laugh at the commercial of the two women in the Grocery store with arms slings. I feel like that alot.
I had heard of the WD-40, Mr Clean eraser, I use Clorox cleaner, Tilex chokes me. Hubbys shower door is the non smooth surface and its a pain to clean. DIL mom uses a squeegee after showers, she has smooth clear glass doors.
I am going to try each suggestion you received. Hopefully NO arm slings necessary after!! * wink *

God Bless T., Let the cleaning begin *Yuck*
K. Nana of 5

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L.S.

answers from St. Louis on

try liquid laundry softener mixed with a litle white vinegar - wipe on, wait a few minutes and rinse. Might have to play with the mixture/ times a little depending on how much deposit you have...

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M.V.

answers from Kansas City on

How about soft scrub and a magic eraser along with a little water. Works for me, good luck!

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M.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Make a runny paste with baking soda and water and then just scrub it on with a rag and rinse it off--It works like a charm! And no fumes as a bonus! This is better than any commercial product I have ever purchased!

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E.C.

answers from Kansas City on

mr clean magic Erasers are amazing!! they are $2 for 2, and discintergrate as they are used up. but, they are worth every penny!! they take off perminent marker, soap scum, even crayon with even using elbow grease (purple crayon needs a little elbow grease)

good luck!!
rawemo

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T.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I have a small battery powered scrubber that works well on build up, it has several attachments to use and wasn't too expensive, I think the brand is Black and Decker. I've also learned that spraying the shower every day with a cleanser (you don't even have to scrub) will eventually clear all the scum away. This is basically what they ones they advertise on TV do, only you have no control over where and what they spray, so I do the spraying myself. If it's a big build up it might take several days for it to dissolve, but keep up with daily sprayings and you won't have to scrub anymore. I use
Scrubbing Bubbles so I can see where I've sprayed, but any cleanser will probably work. Post when you find something that works so we all get the benefit of your experience :)

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J.L.

answers from Columbia on

Try searching the realsimple.com website. I was having problems with toilet ring and I used that website to discover that vinegar is the solution; maybe your answer is that simple too.

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S.R.

answers from Kansas City on

Try the Mr clean magic eraser, i use it on my shower and it works great.

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