Soap scum is an inevitable consequence in a bathroom. This greasy layer clings to shower doors, tiles and fittings and should be removed quickly. Soap scum is created when the fatty components of the soap react with the minerals in the water and settle on the surfaces. We'll show you how to remove soap scum using a homemade cleaner.
What is soap foam?
Similar to hard water stains, soap scum (or lime soap) is a white, chalky residue that consists of, among other things, calcium stearate and magnesium stearate. If they mix with hard water, soap scum can form. Soap scum can cover everything from shower walls, doors, and tubs to fixtures like showerheads and faucets.
Remove soap scum naturally
You can use conventional soap scum removal products. But if you want to do it yourself, you can do variousMake homemade cleaning products, which also work well. Our guide to switching to natural cleaning products will help you do just that.
What you need to remove soap scum from any surface:
baking powder
Cleaning vinegar
Liquid dishwashing liquids
Microfiber cloths
spray bottle
How to remove soap scum:
Baking soda and vinegar
Baking soda and cleaning vinegar are a dynamic duo that are great for glass shower doors and fiberglass shower stalls.
Step 1:Mix one part baking soda and two parts distilled white vinegar in a plastic bowl. Note that this mixture will hiss a little, so don't worry!
Step 2:Once the mixture stops hissing, dip a microfiber cloth in it and apply it to the soap scum.
Step 3:Letthe cleaning mixtureLeave for 15 to 20 minutes and then wipe off with a new cloth. Rinse carefully with water and dry thoroughly to avoid water stains.
White vinegar and dishwashing liquid
This cleaning solution works well on soap scum stuck in showers and sinks, as well as metal parts like faucets, walls, and doors.
Step 1:Prepare your cleaning solution in a spray bottle with equal parts liquid dishwashing detergent, distilled white vinegar, and water.
Step 2:Spray the solution on the problem areas and leave it on for 10 minutes.
Step 3:Once the solution has worked its magic, rinse it off with hot water. Use a clean microfiber cloth to dry the areas completely and avoid water stains.
Leave out the water to create a cleaning concentrate
For onemore efficient cleaningyou can omit the water in the cleaning solution. This works particularly well for heavy and hard soap scum that has been there for a while, and is also suitable for other messes and residues that are difficult to remove.
Use borax successfully
Borax has been around forever and is useful for many household cleaning tasks. This scouring powder kills mold, mildew and odors and makes soap scum disappear. When working with borax, you should wear a pair of latex gloves.
Simply sprinkle some borax into the tub, add a little water to make a paste, let it sit, and scrub thoroughly. Finally, rinse any remaining soap scum out of the drain with warm water.
How to remove stubborn soap scum
If the soap scum is very strong, you can use table salt as a gentle abrasive. Just put the salt on herwith the cleaning solutionsoaked microfiber cloth and scrub the dirty surface.
How often to remove soap scum from bathroom surfaces?
Ideally, a little attention to bathroom surfaces every day will help prevent soap scum from forming. However, weekly cleaning is sufficient. It's much easier to remove thin layers of soap scum than to wait months to tackle thicker layers.
Prevent the formation of soap scum
While you can't completely prevent soap scum from forming in your bathroom, you can reduce it to a tolerable level so you can more easily manage it.
The best prevention against soap scum and limescale deposits is thisCleaning your bathroomafter each use. A quick wipe with a squeegee or a microfiber cloth is enough. However, if you haven't done this cleaning for a long time or the stains are old, it will be difficult to get the bathroom sparkling clean again.
In addition to the prevention method above, you may also consider switching from a bar soap to a liquid soap or body wash. These products do not contain the same fatty acids that cause soap scum to build up in the tub or sink. If hard water is a problem in your home, you can also invest in a water softener.
