How to Remove Soap Scum in Showers

Soap scum is that nasty buildup of soap residue and body oils that clings to the inside of the shower leaving it dull and uninviting. Everyone is plagued by it at one time or another. Stop trying to hide it with a closed shower curtain and get rid of it with common household products.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shampoo
• Laundry detergent
• Calgon

1. Wet a clean cloth in warm water and apply a dab of regular shampoo. Wash down the shower tiles and rinse. Shampoo is formulated to remove the oil from hair and does a wonderful job of cleaning soap scum. It doesn't matter what kind of shampoo you use so grab a bottle and give it a try. This is a great way to use up those bottles of shampoo no one ever uses. You will be surprised at how shiny your shower will be after one wash with shampoo and it will smell great, too.

2. Apply laundry detergent to a wet cloth and wash down the shower walls. If this doesn't remove the soap scum, use a soft bristled brush to scrub problem areas. Laundry detergent is designed to cut grease and will break up the oily residue that binds the soap scum together making it easy to remove soap scum. Rinse with cool water.

3. Create a paste with Calgon and water. Apply the paste to build-up areas of soap scrum. Scrub with a soft bristled brush and rinse. Calgon contains water softeners that will work to dissolve soap scum.

4. Maintain your shower with regular cleaning to prevent the soap scum from building up and to make cleaning easier.

Tips & Warnings

• Always dry tiles thoroughly after rinsing to prevent spotting or streaking. Use a clean dry cloth to dry your tiles.