
Homemade Soap Scum Remover with Distilled White Vinegar and Dawn Dish Soap
Do you dread
One of my personal
This homemade soap scum remover recipe works better at getting rid of stubborn soap scum buildup and grime than any
This is by far one of my favorites bathroom
No scrubbing is required, usually, unless you have quite a bit of soap scum buildup to get rid of.
Table of Contents:
Homemade Soap Scum Remover That Really Works!
I was a little skeptical when I kept seeing this homemade shower and bathtub

When I originally posted this

I now use Dawn in this recipe as opposed to less expensive dish soap.
I buy the big containers from Sam’s Club to save money. The Dawn does work a noticeable amount better but the less expensive options work as well.
One caveat. There is a fairly strong vinegar smell while doing this and if that scent bothers you, turn on your bathroom fan or open a window. The smell clears up quickly so no worries about any lingering aroma.

The disgusting picture above is of my bathtub before.
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Hideous, I know, but look at the afters!
Homemade Soap Scum Remover Recipe:
The recipe is super simple!
Ingredients:
4 ounces (1/2 cup) of Vinegar
4 ounces (1/2 cup) of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid
Spray Bottle
Scrubbing Wand (optional)
Microfiber Cloth (optional)
For use in the spray bottle. Measure out 4 ounces of vinegar and heat in a microwave for about 30 seconds. DO NOT OVERHEAT!
Once the vinegar is heated carefully pour it into the spray bottle. I like to use a funnel for this task.
Add 4 ounces of the dishwashing liquid.
Place the lid on the bottle and shake thoroughly.
Now, spray the surface you wish to clean and let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes. Once the time has elapsed scrub or wipe off the
Why It Works
Vinegar is naturally acidic and that’s what makes it so good for
Adding Dawn makes it that much more powerful. The full recipe for Dawn isn’t readily available. It is known that Dawn contains chemical compounds that reduce the surface tension of a liquid. When that liquid is dissolved, grease and ickiness are gone!
What Surfaces Can This Mixture Be Used On?
This effective mixture will clean soap scum from the following surfaces:
Shower door (even a glass shower door), tub, shower curtain, shower walls, and other bathroom surfaces with the exception of the below surfaces which are ONLY an example of surfaces this should not be used on. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for your particular surfaces.
Because of the acidic nature of vinegar, I would avoid using this
FAQs:
What Causes Soap Scum?
This is the burning question, right? Soap scum happens when you have hard water and the minerals in the tap water combine with soap, primarily bar soap, and dirt to create soap scum. We have very hard water where I live and that leads to not only soap scum buildup but hard water stains on just about any surface water touches and stays on.
Can you spray this on your shower curtain?
Yes, you can. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
Can you add
No, you cannot. The
Do I have to use a spray bottle?
I personally think using a spray bottle is much more convenient to use and apply to the various bathroom surfaces I’m
Will a microfiber cloth help to clean my surfaces better?
Once I allow the mixture to set on the surface I’m
If using a microfiber cloth should it be wet or dry?
Microfiber works best when it’s dry. The microfibers are what do the actual
If I don’t want to use a microfiber cloth will any clean cloth work?
Yes, absolutely! I use microfiber because I prefer the durability of the cloth and the extra scrubbing power that a microfiber cloth provides.
Do I have to use distilled white vinegar?
You don’t. I’ve been in a pinch and used apple cider vinegar and gotten the same great results.
Best DIY Soap Scum Remover
Materials
- 1/2 cup Vinegar
- 1/2 cup Dawn Dishwashing Liquid
- Spray Bottle
- Scrubbing Wand
Instructions
- For use in the spray bottle, measure out 4 ounces of vinegar and heat in a microwave for about 30 seconds. Once the vinegar is heated carefully pour it into the spray bottle.
- Add 4 ounces of the dishwashing liquid. Place the lid on the bottle and shake thoroughly.
- Now, spray the surface you wish to clean and let the gel sit for about 1 hour. Once the time has lapsed, scrub or wipe off the cleaning solution and rinse thoroughly. Next, stand back and enjoy the glow!
- If using the wand, follow the above directions but use 2 ounces of vinegar and 2 ounces of Dawn dishwashing liquid.
What are some of your favorite ways to use Vinegar (or Dawn)? I’d love to hear your tips.
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