Nobody likes soap scum, but we all have to deal with it at one time or another. And, unfortunately, the most convenient solutions are expensive toxic chemicals that reduce your indoor air quality and wreak havoc on the environment. Thankfully, there is an easy solution; the DIY soap scum remover.
This 5 minute DIY soap scum remover recipe uses just 3 simple ingredients you probably already have.
We can get into what causes soap scum and how to avoid it later in the post. For now, let’s get the fix. It takes only minutes to make and should set you back a whopping 20 cents when all is said and done.
Ingredients for your Homemade Soap Scum Remover
The ingredients for this DIY soap scum remover can easily be found in your local supermarket, Walmart, Target, etc. You might already have them in your home so check under the sink or in the pantry first.
The ingredients include:
- 1 cup of distilled white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of corn starch
- 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap
- 1 spray bottle
Let’s Get Started with Our DIY Soap Scum Destroyer!
Step 1: Add 1 tablespoon of corn starch to 1 cup of white vinegar. Be careful not to exceed 1 tablespoon of corn starch in this step. If you add too much, it will make the mixture too thick.
Step 2: Stir the mixture of corn starch and white vinegar together until it is all combined. The purpose of the cornstarch is to thicken the mixture so that it will stay on your shower walls or wherever the scum is so that the other ingredients can do their job. While stirring, you will see it thicken up.
Soaping Tip:
Do the above mixture step in a microwave safe bowl. This will save you from having to change bowls at step 3.
Step 3: After stirring the mixture, place it in the microwave for 2 minutes. If you notice that the mixture begins to bubble in the microwave, don’t be alarmed. This is normal.
Step 4: While the mixture is in the microwave, prep your Soap Sum Crushing Disbursement Method (aka spray bottle) by adding 2 tablespoons of dish soap to your spray bottle.
Step 5: Remove the vinegar and corn starch mixture from the microwave and stir it again for about 10 to 15 seconds. You can use a fork or spoon; however, a wire whisk makes quick work of it. You will notice that your mixture has turned into a gel-like texture.
Step 6: Now, pour your mixture into a spray bottle and shake gently to ensure that the mixture is completely combined with the liquid soap. To avoid a mess, it would be a good idea to use a funnel to transfer the mixture into the spray bottle.
Congratulations – you are done! Your homemade (DIY) soap scum remover is ready to destroy the soap scum in your bathroom, kitchen or wherever it might be lurking.
Using Your Magic Elixir
To remove even the toughest soap scum, follow this simple process:
- Apply it to are to be cleaned.
- Let it set as long as needed to work. Five minutes generally works well with regular use but it might take 15 or 20 minutes for old stubborn build-up
- If the soap scum is light and thin, you might just be able to rinse away our gelatin-like solution with warm water. I always err on the side of caution and gently scrub with a whetted scrub-brush or damp cloth. The friction and surface scrubbers from a gentle brush of terrycloth facecloth work well.
For Tough Soap Scum
For the tough messes, make the cloth more wet than damp and scrub a bit harder if needed. I also use my husband’s toothbrush for tight spaces. Just kidding! I use our old toothbrushes. If you happen to have one you’re going to throw away, consider using it for soap scum removal in tight places. You can use scissors to trip the bristle tips and even shape an angle into it if you wish.
I love this little cleaning hack! This simple mixture is extremely effective at removing soap scum and so easy to make. Before discovering this, I use to spent $5 to $8 on a soap scum remover that came in a disposable aerosol can (no recycle stamp on it). Even worse, it has warnings about keeping it away from children and pets.
Now I can make a batch of something that works far better – without the risk to my family or the environmental impact. Each batch costs less than 20 cents to make. I even use my own homemade liquid soap. But have no dear. I have used Dawn and even an off brand from the Dollar Store and those worked great too.
As promised, now we will explore how soap scum occurs and how to avoid it.
How Does Hard Water Contribute to Soap Scum?
Hard water plays a major role in increasing the odds of soap scum building up. As mentioned earlier, soap scum is the product of calcium and magnesium from water being mixed with the oils or fatty acids in your soap. More scum will occur in your bathroom if you have “hard water”.
What Makes Water Hard?
“Hard water” is a funny term but if you know a bit about it, the name makes more sense.
When I envision fresh water from the tap, it’s usually in a swimming pool or a glass. But come to think of it, I use a Brita water purifier on my tap water before I drink it. And a lot of people with wells or small municipal water plants use water purification or softening systems. These help remove the “hard” particulates including magnesium and calcium.
This is where we get the term “hard water”. Magnesium, calcium and other minerals are overly abundant in hard water and are removed as part of the “softening” process. It makes sense. Minerals are rocks. Rocks are hard. Water with lots of tiny rocks is hard water 😊
That said, the level of hardness is defined by the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium that is present in your water. Other telltale signs of hard water are green or brownish stains in sinks, tubs and toilets. This is especially evident where water tends to pool, such as near the nozzle or spigot base.
It is unlikely that you would have soap scum if you had soft water. This is because soft water tends to contain salts that prevent the buildup of soap scum.
The Risk of Using Store-bought Soap Scum Removers
If you take a trip to the supermarket, you will notice that there are a wide range of products available to tackle soap scum. However, the typical product on the shelf contains chemicals such as:
- N-alkyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides
- N-alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl
- ammonium chlorides
- sulfamic acid
These chemicals are used to disintegrate the soap scum so that after a couple of minutes, you can simply wipe it away with a sponge or soft cloth. These chemicals may be considered withing acceptable safety tolerances for commercial cleaning products. I just err on the side of caution and try to avoid using harsh chemicals that I feel present a health risk for my family.
Something this simple to make that is good for the environment and your wallet is an easy win-win. Take a victory lap. You just saved money AND the planet!
How to Prevent Soap Scum
A little prevention is always better than the cure. Here are some simple things you can do to stop soap scum from building up in your bathroom.
Use a Homemade Shower Cleaner Daily
To avoid soap scum build-up, use a shower cleaner daily. Preferably a homemade shower cleaner. By using a homemade shower cleaner daily, you will keep soap scum, mold, and mildew at bay.
Spray it on glass shower doors, bathroom walls and in your tub. No need to scrub when done daily. Simply rinse and wipe away any tough spots if they appear.
Soften Your Water
Using a water softener system can also minimize the amount of calcium and magnesium in your water. This will prove beneficial because softer water cleans more effectively.
Of course, the price can be hefty. A typical whole-house system in the United States starts at about $300 and averages close to $2,000. The $300 models rely on continual addition of salt or potassium. The higher-end models are far less expensive and time-consuming to run, but the up-front cost is a big step.
Wash Your Shower Curtains on a Monthly Basis
You will notice that soap scum develops on shower curtains as well. Make it a routine to wash your curtains monthly. Add a cup of baking soda to the washing machine to get the job done. To wash the shower curtain more effectively, add a towel to the load. It will serve as a scrubber.
It also helps to lightly pre-treat any excessively soap scummy sections and let it sit for a few minutes before washing.
In Closing
I hope you enjoyed this quick inexpensive alternative to harsh chemical soap scum removers. If you are ever curious about making your own homemade soap, please look around this site.
There are plenty of articles ranging from how to make soap bars for beginners to how to start and run your own successful handmade soap company.
Happy soap scum removing!