Keeping Your Shower Clean

Shower Cleaning Tips

My shower floor gets black and grimy looking, probably from soap scum buildup and lime deposits. I have tried just about every commercial product available in the stores to no avail. Also, what is the best way to clean ceramic tile and clear glass doors in the showers? How can I keep them sparkling?

Judy1010 from Ellicott City, MD

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Toothbrush in the Shower

Use an old tooth brush in the shower to clean your rings. (11/24/2004)

By Ginny

Maintaining a Clean Shower

To keep your shower stall bright and shining, after removing soap scum, wax your tiles with car wax -- it keeps the soap scum and water deposits from building up and showing! By Rama Patterson (11/24/2004)

By ThriftyFun

Turtle Wax

I've used Turtle wax on my showers for years! I was just about to post this as well. It's a great tip and does wonders for keeping the soap scum and water deposit off! (11/24/2004)

By pookster

Lemon Oil

Another way to clean the shower tile and/or glass door is to use a soft cloth that has has a dosing of lemon oil. This removes the scum and water marks (11/26/2004)

By Lucy

Shower Tile Grout

What are some ways to clean my shower's grout between tile and maintain it? (01/06/2005)

By Debi

Cleaning Grout

For cleaning grout, I've used soft scrub with clorox, that seems to be a wonder cleaner! i also use it for rust stains that appear on my kitchen sink and any stain that might appear on formica. (01/08/2005)

By kassi59

Vinegar

Wipe down your shower with vinegar at least once a week and it will help them shine and help stop hard water deposits, soap scum, & mildew. (02/07/2005)

By Robin

Tilex Shower Cleaner

I spray my tile shower with Tilex shower cleaner (like "Clean Shower") every time, then leave the door to it open until the walls are completely dry. I only have to get on it with cleanser about once a quarter. I spray the grout with a bleach/water mix about every other week and it keeps it all clean and sanitary. (02/07/2005)

By Katie A.

I Use Vim

I use Vim to clean the shower, and then use automotive wax to polish the shower. The water rolls off the shower, just like it does on your car after waxing. (02/09/2005)

By Tom Mann

Use A Squeegee

We keep a small squeegee (like ice scraper w/ rubber "blade") hanging in the shower. After use give the walls a quick swipe from top to bottom. The excess water is removed from walls. Cuts down on mildew & soap scum. Makes routine cleaning easier. (02/11/2005)

By kidsNclutter

Wipe The Shower Down With a Towel

After I shower, I use the towel that I used to dry my hair (which was fresh before I used it and is only wet) and I dry the shower off. This removes any conditioner spills, extra soap that didn't get rinsed, etc. and keeps the shower clean. This way, I save money on cleaner, and introduces fewer chemicals to the environment. Plus, it's easier if I do it every day. (02/19/2005)

By Melissa

Clean While You Shower

Why not just use some of the soap or shampoo to wash the shower walls while you are in there? I use the washcloth and put a little shampoo on it and wipe everything down just before I get out. If you do this regularly, you don't have to use any chemicals at all! (02/20/2005)

By Anna

Sponge Mops for Cleaning

Instead of the expensive new cleaning items out on the market now to clean my bathtub/shower I buy a sponge mop at the local dollar store for a dollar and use it to reach the walls in my tub. I end up spending a $1 as opposed to $17 plus the cost of replacement pads. (07/07/2005)

By AMY-TROY, OHIO

Fabric Softener Sheet

Clean shower doors with a dry fabric softener sheet. (07/07/2005)

By Judy

Top Job

There's a product I use about once a month during my "Power Cleaning Weekend" It's called "Top Job" It works REALLY well! Just let it sit on the walls for about 10 minutes while you mop the floor.. then wipe it off with a sponge or a dollar store product similar to the magic eraser. I stock up on those too. They are awesome tools to clean the coffee pot with plain water so there's no left-over soap residue. Happy Cleaning! (07/10/2005)

By Tam

RainX

You can also use rainx on your shower doors. Everything beads up and just rolls off the glass. (08/18/2006)

By Janet Black

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Shower Cleaning Tips

Does anyone have suggestions for cleaning a shower that has a film that won't seem to come off? I have tried Downy and scrubbed it, but neither of these methods worked. Thanking you in advance for any ideas.

Jackie from Walker, LA

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RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

I use baking soda dry, like cleanser. (10/25/2006)

By Mary Ann.

RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

The quickest and easiest cleaner I've ever used on any of my tubs or showers was, believe it or not, Easy Off Oven cleaner or similar product. Spray it on, trying to avoid chrome, allow to sit - I've left it for as long as 15min. Then just rinse off, no scrubbing involved. It has never damaged any of my fixtures or discolored or otherwise harmed my faux marble or fiberglass tubs. Be sure your bathroom is well ventilated, tho. Good luck. (10/28/2006)

By Tripleb

RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

I use Tilex Soap Scum Remover. There should be hardly any scrubbing unless you have let your shower go for a very long time. In that case you could do it a second time and maybe use some sort of brush. Once your shower is clean spray it with Shower Fresh or one of those products to prevent the scum build up. You just spray and leave it on. Do this after every shower. Be sure and spray your shower curtain liner as well. Good luck. (10/31/2006)

By bjptl

RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

Make sure it's soap scum. I nearly broke my back and both arms trying to get "soap scum" off the shower in the house we bought last year. Then I realized that when the sellers painted, they got overspray all over the enclosure. (09/03/2007)

By Marilyn

RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

I have had my own cleaning business for 15 years and the best way I can suggest is to keep you shower clean is the following: There is a product called Zep grout whitener at you local Home Depot. Use this to get the grout clean and it also cleans the soap scum off the tile and glass shower doors. Use a brush to scrub the grout etc. Try not to let it set too long on the metal trim as it will pit it. It works like a strong Limeaway.

If there is mildew behind the grout you might want to take the grout out and replace it with new only in the trouble areas. After your shower is clean and dries, use a grout sealer also at Home Depot that you can spray to seal the grout. I have done this on my bathroom tiles and I have had no problems. Maintaining it is now the answer to a clean shower. Twice to three times a week I spray my shower five minutes before I get in with Scrubbing Bubbles then when I am done I just spray the shower down. Good luck and I hope this helps. Mai (09/04/2007)

By maiasain

RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

I use 1 cup Dawn dish washing liquid mixed with 1 cup white vinegar this works awesomely. (11/08/2007)

By Shannon

RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

I love the Arm and Hammer Shower Fresh spray (about 2 dollars a bottle at Wal-mart), but found that Paraben-based ingredients in my shampoo, body wash and shaving cream were not only leaving soap scum, but clogging up my pores as well. Changing brands and using that spray regularly has dramatically cut down the "slime".

I found this out because my boys have their own bathroom, and the bathtub was squeaky clean all the time (used daily.) I compared ingredients one day and their "baby" wash didn't have the petrolatum or paraben (think of wax?). (11/08/2007)

By camo_angels

soap scum on doors

You can also use baby oil on your shower doors. It keeps scum from forming since water rolls off. (11/12/2007)

By Adrian

RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

As far as general cleaning, I've found the Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom cleaner with orange works quite well and has a nice smell. Now as for mold and mildew buildup, I went through 4 different cleaners trying to remove that stuff and no luck, then I found the ZEP Commercial mold and mildew remover. That stuff "eats" the mildew right off without scrubbing. Nothing better than it. Just remember its commercial grade stuff so wear gloves and be careful what surfaces you get it on cause it will strip the coating right off metal (05/08/2008)

By Jared

RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

I like to use Clean 'n Brite. It is really cheap and makes lot and lots of cleaner. I use it for the grout and the wall and shower curtain. Acid cleaner works good on glass. Use some lemon juice. (05/10/2008)

By Jeff

RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

I use a soft Brillo pad on the tiles. It works wonders, easier than a brush. While I am showering, I clean the floor with a Billo soapy pad. I do this with my feet in circular motion. The stuff comes off right there. This should work on your glass shower doors as well. (05/14/2008)

By ROSY

RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

I have used Lime Away on the white cracks especially along the rim of the bathtub, scrubbing with a toothbrush and that worked really well. The brown cracks turned white. Make sure to use gloves with Lime Away. (01/31/2009)

By Lanaye R.

RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

Use plain ol' reliable WD-40. It will clean off the film immaculately. Just spray it on, wait 10-20 seconds and wipe off. WD-40 will also clean the chrome faucets and shower heads. They will come sparkly clean. (02/25/2009)

By Jimmy D

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Clean the Shower While You Clean Yourself

Keep a Mr. Clean Cleaning eraser in the shower. Save time buy scrubbing the walls and tub while you in the shower. No toxic fumes to smell, no soapy mess. After you dry off (and while the room is still steamy), use your towel to wipe down the sink, vanity, and toilet. Everything will be damp and will wipe off easily. Toss the towel in the hamper, bathroom is clean and so are you!

By Kim McG

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RE: Clean the Shower While You Clean Yourself

FOR REAL! My husband has been serving overseas for 6 months and gets to come home for a month before going back for another five. So I've been slacking on the bathroom cleaning. I had been scrubbing the tub for 4 DAYS! and couldn't get it clean. Saw this tip last night and got a magic eraser and SHUT UP it's awesome. It all came right off. If I weren't so cheap, I'd invest in the company ;) (08/28/2004)

By Suzanne S.

RE: Clean the Shower While You Clean Yourself

You can clean all the soap scum off showers floor and door, what ever with shower gels it breaks down the soap scum. Wipe and rinse off. Sparkling shower really. (09/06/2007)

By sevencat.

RE: Clean the Shower While You Clean Yourself

I love Magic Eraser! I have told many friends about it, and they all love it. Works great dry or wet or damp. I won't clean without it. Karenhope (03/21/2009)

By Karenhope

RE: Clean the Shower While You Clean Yourself

FOR REAL--Suzanne you brought back memories there. Best of luck. Marg. England (03/22/2009)

By jehosophat jones

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Shower Cleaning Tips

What is the best way to clean a shower?

By John W.

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RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

If you're talking about a way to keep the shower clean from day to day then use this recipe:

Daily Shower Spray

• 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol
• 1 cup water

Mix in a spray bottle and shake. Spray on, no rinsing required. (10/24/2009)

By Deeli

RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

The best cleaner I have found for the shower is "Scrubbing Bubbles". My showers shine! (10/25/2009)

By sabrinadog

RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

I used a company to clean the shower from Buckinghamshire. They cleaned my shower and put a coating on the glass. That was a year ago and is still working great you don't even need to clean the shower after you use it now. (11/29/2009)

By andyglass

RE: Shower Cleaning Tips

The product's name is "Edfred". It is hard to find (it may still be available at Orchard Supply Hardware). It gets everything off without scrubbing. I was warned that it would take the shine off chrome, but it worked great on porcelain and glass, even on a film that had been on there for years. (09/28/2010)

By k8e