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What is soap scum?

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The exceedingly unpleasant reaction known as soap scum happens when the minerals in water and soap fat interact. This winning or losing combination results in a whitish-yellow scaly crust that borders the walls of your shower and tub and the shower doors. It may also thicken with time, resulting in that uncomfortable restroom ring. Since not using soap or taking a shower isn’t an option, it’s important to understand how to clean up this challenging mess.

What is the cause of soap scum?

The term “soap scum” is self-explanatory: Soap scum is what it is. But what is it about something we use to clean our bodies that causes such devastation on our bathroom surfaces? The issue is caused by minerals in your water, not by the soap, especially if you have hard water.

Calcium and magnesium react with soap residue to form a sticky substance that adheres to glass, shower walls, fiberglass tubs, and faucets. To make matters worse, dead skin, bodily oils, and grime are all mixed in. As a consequence, soap scum has formed. It may build up in layers of filth and become thick and easier to remove if properly cleansed. As a result, you should deal with soap scum as soon as it forms.

How often should soap scum be removed from bathroom surfaces?

A little care of bathroom surfaces every day can help keep soap scum at bay. However, weekly cleaning is enough. Thin layers of soap scum are considerably simpler to remove than heavier coatings, which might take months to eliminate.

How to remove soap scum: Step-by-step guide

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There are many places where you need to remove soap scum. Here are a few typical ones:

1. How to remove soap scum from shower doors

Several industrial cleaners on the market claim to remove soap scum from glass shower enclosures. Most of them work well if used weekly or more often.

• Create a daily cleaning solution

In a spray bottle, combine one cup of distilled white vinegar, one cup of water, and one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid. After each shower, spray the solution on the glass and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it with hot water. To remove the water, use a squeegee or a microfiber cloth to dry the glass properly.

• Construct scum-buster cleaning solutions

Fill a small plastic bowl halfway with baking soda and 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar, or just enough to make a thick paste. When the fluid stops fizzing, dip a microfiber cloth or sponge into it and apply it to the glass doors. Allow at least 15 minutes for the paste to sit on the glass. Then, using a microfiber cloth and simple water, clean the surfaces. Rinse well and properly dry to avoid staining.

• The shower door tracks should be cleaned

To reach all of the tight areas, use a professional cleaner or your own combination and an old toothbrush. Allow the cleanser enough time to work, then rinse with plain water and thoroughly dry with a cloth or paper towel wrapped around the toothbrush to absorb any moisture.

2. How to remove soap scum from fiberglass showers

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• Cleaning once a week

Make a paste with 1 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar. Spread the paste over the floor and walls of the enclosure using a non-abrasive sponge or microfiber cloth after it has stopped foaming. Allow it to work for ten minutes before rinsing. With a soft cloth, thoroughly dry the surfaces.

• Remove scum from soap

If you have skipped a few cleanings and the soap scum is thick, add a tablespoon or more hydrogen peroxide to the baking soda paste instead of vinegar. Allow the mixture to operate on the fiberglass enclosure for 15-30 minutes. Rinse well and pat dry.

• Remove fiberglass stains

For difficult stains left by bath products on a shelf or floor, make a paste using borax and lemon juice from the laundry room. Allow the mixture to work on the stain for 15 minutes before cleaning it away with a microfiber towel. Rinse well and pat dry.

3. How to remove soap scum from ceramic tile

Hard surfaces such as glazed ceramic tile and porcelain baths make cleaning soap scum simpler than other finishes. You may buy commercial soap scum removers or make your own with baking soda and distilled white vinegar.

• Make use of baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar are considered the best soap scum remover because of their convenience and affection. In a small basin, combine one cup of baking soda and one-fourth cup of distilled white vinegar to make a paste. Allow at least 15 minutes for the paste to dry on the tile. 

Then, using a microfiber cloth and simple water, clean the surfaces. Rinse well and properly dry to avoid staining.

If the soap scum is very stubborn, apply the paste, then dip your sponge into a small dish of table salt and scrape the scum away with additional abrasive action.

• Make use of a pumice stone

You can use a damp pumice stone to remove it thoroughly. Wet the pumice stone as well as the tile or porcelain surface. Never use the stone while it is dry since it will scratch easily. Rub the damp stone over the soap scum very carefully. 

Working in a small area, rinse the stone in plain water and scrub it with a stiff-bristled brush as the scum is transferred. Proceed to the next section. To eliminate the last vestiges of soap scum, wipe out the tub with distilled white vinegar, rinse with plain water, and dry with a soft cloth.

How to avoid soap scum

Because you’re not going to quit bathing, avoiding soap scum might be difficult. However, you still can do some things to make soap scum formation more difficult.

• Use a spray bottle filled with water and vinegar to clean up after taking a shower. With your towel, wipe it down.

• Instead of bar soap, try liquid body soap. Using a shower gel may significantly reduce that filmy unpleasantness.

• Quickly dry your bathtub and shower using a towel. To generate soap scum particles, water and soap must get together and have a party. Wiping away the water will minimize the response.

• The higher the mineral content of your water, the worse your soap scum issue will be. 

FAQs

Will toothpaste get rid of soap scum?

With toothpaste and a wet sponge or towel, soap scum buildup on fiberglass shower enclosures and shower doors may be cleaned. To avoid watermarks, rinse with a clean towel and buff dry. If you accidentally drop toothpaste in the bathroom sink, do not rinse it away.

Does WD 40 remove soap scum?

A wipe-down with a WD-40-sprayed cloth is ideal for eliminating soap scum off shower doors and preventing mildew from returning. It’s also excellent for cleaning the grout between bathroom tiles, removing persistent stains from your toilet bowl, and removing rust stains on porcelain created by spray cans.

Why is soap scum an issue?

If soap scum is allowed to accumulate, it may react with mold or mildew to produce various discolorations and aromas, and it can even harden to the consistency of concrete.

Final words

Hopefully, you will find the most reasonable way to remove soap scum and take measures to prevent soap scum from forming through this article. If your bathroom has mold, it’s time to remove mold quickly.