Soap Scum Removal

Soap scum is an ongoing battle in most bathrooms that keeps recurring, despite treating it with several methods. You can find ugly, filmy layers of soap scum forming on bathtubs, shower curtains, bathroom fixtures, doors, sink, and all areas that are exposed to soap and water. This is usually formed by the presence of minerals in water, which we refer to as hard water in layman’s language. As such, this hard water, when mixed with soap and dust, creates white or grey colored thin layer called soap scum. Most of you would be now wondering as to how to get rid of this soap scum? Simple - replace your bar soap with liquid shower gel to eliminate the talc in the soap that collects on mineral deposits left behind, when water dries on shower walls. For those who cannot avoid using bar soaps, follow the lines below to find solutions to clean and remove soap scum.

 

 

To fight against that hard and tough soap scum buildup in your bathroom, ammonia works as a certified remover, simply because it dissolves the fat that creates soap scum in bulk. Before you begin with this procedure, wear gloves to prevent hurting your skin. To start off, mix one part of ammonia with two parts of water to prepare the ammonia solution. Pour the ammonia solution in a spray bottle and start spraying on the problem areas. The soap scum will start softening. Once the scum has finally broken out, wipe it off using a piece of rag or towel. Thereafter, rinse the area with water thoroughly to remove any residues of the solution.

 

If you cannot find or get ammonia, use vinegar to curb your soap scum problem. Measure two cups of vinegar and microwave it until slightly warm. Remember, the vinegar should not be too hot. Pour the warm vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it generously over the soap scum. Leave the vinegar on the scum for about 2 minutes, allowing it to break the scum. Use a dry towel or dryer sheet to wipe off the broken scum. Dry the area henceforth using a clean, dry towel.

 

Lemon oil actively fights against soap scum and helps in preventing from further build up as well. Pour some lemon oil on an acrylic scrub sponge or nylon dish scrubber and apply to the problem areas. Buff away the soap scum by scrubbing it, using a circular motion. Wipe off the scum residue with a soft, cotton cloth or clean, terry cloth.

 

Borax is a cleaning agent as well as a scouring powder that will help in removing soap scum. Compared to the other chemicals available in the market, borax is a safer option to go for. Sprinkle some borax onto a sponge or cloth. Slightly wet it and scrub on the scum in a circular motion, until the area is free of the scum. Rinse the area thoroughly with clean, hot water and wipe dry.

 

Prepare an improvised remover to get rid of soap scum from shower heads, grout, soap holders, and tiles. To make this solution, combine together ½ cup baking soda, 1/3 cup ammonia, ¼ cup vinegar, and 6 cups of water. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and apply to all problematic areas. Using an acrylic sponge or terry cloth, scrub off the soap scum. Clean the area with a soft, dry cloth. Do not rinse with water. Instead, leave the area to dry as it is.