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How to Clean Soap Scum from Shower Door

There are several techniques that can be used to clean soap scum from shower doors. Let's see more about this problem and its possible solutions.
Bidisha Mukherjee
Soap scum is the thin, gray film that is left behind on the shower door after you have finished bathing. The ugly marks usually get noticed only hours after the bath. By that time, the body oils, minerals, and the talc from soaps, have all hardened up on the glass surface.
Hence, you have to make a lot of effort to clean it up. If not done regularly, the stains will get accumulated, forming a thick layer. This may also induce the growth of mildew. Then, the problem will be bigger for you.

How to Clean Soap Scum with a Cleaner?
● Spray some warm water all over the shower door, using the shower head, to dampen it thoroughly.
● Take any scum removal fluid available in the market, pour it on a soft moist cloth, and apply it on the shower door. Before application, read the labels, and follow the manufacturer's instructions on the quantity to be used.
● Allow the cleaning product to sit on the door for about 15-20 minutes.
● Then, scrub it, using a scrubber which is suitable for glass or synthetic surfaces. Do not use any metal scrubs, as they tend to leave scratches.
● Once you have scrubbed all the areas properly, wash off with water.

At the end, you will get a shiny, clean shower door.

Home Remedies for Cleaning Soap Scum
In case you have not cleaned the soap scum for a long time, it must have covered your shower door with thick layers. Here are some effective home remedies to get it off.

Ammonia

This works wonders on tough soap scum. Dilute one part of ammonia with two parts of water in a spray bottle. Spray this solution generously all over the door, and scrub it off with a sponge or a scouring pad.
Finally, rinse off thoroughly with water. While handling ammonia, which is toxic, make sure you are wearing gloves in order to protect your skin from irritation.

Baking Soda

It is a non-toxic substance, it can used for cleaning purpose. Make a thick paste by mixing baking soda and water. Rub it on the stains so that a thin layer of baking soda is formed. Leave it on the door for 20-30 minutes. Then, wipe it off with a clean, damp sponge.

Vinegar

White vinegar is excellent remedy for cleaning soap buildup. Warm some vinegar in the microwave, and pour it into a spray bottle. Apply a good amount on the tough stains, and wait for about half an hour. Scrub the scum with a brush, and wash off with clean water.

Dryer Sheet

You may be surprised to know that these can also be used. If the shower door is wet, then take a dry dryer sheet, and rub it on the dirty areas of the door vigorously to get rid of the soap build up. In case the surface is dry, dampen the dryer sheet, and rub it on the door. Both methods are equally useful to solve the problem.
There are a few things that can be done to prevent soap scum on the shower door. Rub some baby oil or lemon oil on the shower door which will not let the shower water stick to the door.
Instead of a bar soap, if you use a gel or liquid soap, the chances of scum accumulation will be less. The talc present in the bars is the main cause of scum. Wiping off the door after a bath is another way to avoid the efforts of removing scum later.