How To Get Rid of Soap Scum

Notice that white or gray colored soap residue in you shower, tub or sink? Soap scum builds up on almost every corner of your bathroom. It can be on the walls, sliding door, tubs, on the tiled floor, and some other bathroom fixtures. Well, a scum actually looks like a stain on your supposedly shiny, gleaming bathroom.

Accumulation of Soap Scum

When you’re always on the rush, you don’t stay long enough in the bathroom to notice the soap scum that has been accumulated for days, weeks, or months. When you use enough soap to wash away natural oils from your body but not enough water flush out the suds from the tiles, the oils combine with soap molecules to become soap scum. Not only that soap scum makes your bathroom look dingy, it can also discolor the surfaces at which it clings into. Also, when left untreated for a long period of time, soap scum may start to ooze foul odor onto your bathroom.

Getting Rid of Soap Scum

There are several ways to get rid of those nasty looking stains on your bathroom. Read on to learn about some very effective ways to make your bathroom clean once again.

Option #1 Ammonia

 

Ammonia can dissolve the fat in the soap scum. All you need is one part ammonia and two parts water. Place the solution in a spray bottle and apply it on the soap scum. The solution should soften the scum to make cleaning a lot easier. Wipe the loosened scum with a rug or towel. When rinsing, make sure to remove the ammonia residue thoroughly.

 

Caution: Wear rubber gloves when cleaning with ammonia to prevent contact with your skin. You may also wear protective eye shield since ammonia is a strong liquid solvent that can irritate your eyes. To remove fumes, open the windows or turn on your exhaust fan or the bathroom vent fan.

 

Option #2 Borax

 

Borax is a common scouring powder that contains non-abrasive substance which will not harm the surface where scum resides. But for acrylic flooring, you should use a sponge designed for acrylic to avoid damage. Also, borax may not be ideal when working on tough scum, but it can be very effective for removing minute traces of scum. For better results, use warm water to rinse the treated surface.

 

Option #3 Commercial Soap Scum Remover

 

You can also tackle soap scum using a commercial soap scum remover. Make sure that you carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s directions though. Remember, using an inappropriate quantity of any of these products won’t give you the best results.

Option #4 Improvised Soap Scum Remover

You can always experiment on new things, especially if you want to get rid of a certain dilemma. To remove soap scum, you’ll need to mix a variety of substances: 1/3 cup of ammonia, ½ cup of baking soda, ¼ cup of vinegar and 6 cups of water. Just apply the solution into the affected surface and then start scrubbing with a terry cloth or an acrylic sponge. Do not rinse off the treated area. Leave it to dry as it is.

Option #5 Vinegar

 

Prepare your vinegar (2 cups), a spray bottle, a clean towel, a measuring cup, and your microwave or stove. Using your microwave, slightly warm the cups of vinegar, or you can also heat it using a low heat setting on your stove. The vinegar should be warm to touch, but not too hot to burn your skin. Place the vinegar in the spray bottle and then apply it on the soap scum. Let it stand for 2 minutes to allow the vinegar to break the scum completely. Then, wipe the area and dry it with a towel or a dryer sheet.

 

How to Prevent Soap Scum

As scum builds up over time it can be really difficult to remove. Apart from staining your bathroom, it can also become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. In essence, an unattended scum is hazardous to your health. It’ll also make your tiles slippery. To make your bathroom soap scum-free, make sure to wipe the soap residue off your tub, sink or tiles. Applying furniture wax after doing any of the cleaning options mentioned above can prevent soap scum from setting on the area again. For aesthetic purposes, furniture wax can also make your tiles look sparkling clean and fresh.