Tub & Shower Soap Scum Cleaner Reader Questions—Answered!
If you’ve been using my Tub and Shower Soap Scum Cleaner, you’ve probably experienced its powerful cleaning magic. But, as with anything, there are a few tweaks and questions that come up—like the smell. Whether it’s too strong or you’re dealing with allergies, don’t worry. I’ve got solutions that work just as well, without the overpowering scent. And for those of you with wrist or back pain, I’ve got two game-changers that can make cleaning a lot easier. Let’s dive into how you can make this formula fit your needs!
If I had a tally for every reader who’s written in to rave about my Tub and Shower Soap Scum Cleaner, well, let’s just say the hash marks would need their own page! Most people call it “magical,” and I couldn’t agree more—it works like a charm. Find the full recipe here →
Allergy-Friendly Alternatives for Soap Scum Cleaner
“Dear Mary: I love your homemade formulas for how to make our own cleaning products But a lot of them use the blue Dawn dish soap. I am allergic to Dawn soap, all fragrances, and citrus, among other things. Do you have a suggestion of what else I could use as a substitute?”
–Peggy
Thank you, Peggy! In fact, I do have an alternative for you to try as a substitute for the Blue Dawn in Tub and Shower Soap Scum Cleaner (and all of our recipes that use Blue Dawn). Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Baby Unscented Liquid Soap appears to me that it meets your requirements. It’s pure liquid soap, quite concentrated; has no fragrance, is organic and vegan. I am so sorry you have to deal with this health issue but confident that with the power of Dr. Bronner’s pure castile soap, you’ll have acceptable results—cleaners you can tolerate.
For other readers who, like you, deal with allergies and other sensitivities, I hope you will let us know how Dr. Bronner’s castile soap works for you.
Tackling the Vinegar Smell (and Keeping Harmony in the Household)
“Dear Mary: I have been using your recipe for Tub and Shower Soap Scum Cleaner to clean the shower (acrylic) at our home since I saw it in the newspaper many months ago. It does work as well as what I had been using, Tilex Daily Shower and the cost to produce is amazingly low.
Now the problem. My significant other will not use the bathroom for hours until the smell wears off. I suppose it’s the vinegar that causes tension in our household that I cannot afford. So, what can be added to the mixture to make it smell better? Any help would be appreciated on this issue.”
–Dick
I can see the problem here, Dick! Our Tub and Shower Soap Scum Cleaner is very powerful and super strong because it is highly concentrated. That contributes to its nearly magical properties.
The directive for how to use it is to spray it on then leave it for hours, if not overnight, before completely rinsing it—and all that disgusting soap scum, mildew, and gunk that has built up over time—down the drain. Leaving a window open during this time to provide ventilation is a good idea. Using it for maintenance is a little tricky, and that’s where I think you may be encountering a problem.
If you use this for routine maintenance, you need to spray it on and rinse it off immediately. But I have another option for you.
For daily maintenance, make our No-Rinse Daily Shower Cleaner. It’s far less potent while being very effective. Hint: Adding 20 drops of essential oil (peppermint or lemon are good choices) adds a pleasant fragrance. Find the No-Rinse Daily Shower Cleaner recipe here →Â
Remember, this Daily Shower Cleaner maintains a clean shower. You need to start with a super clean tub and shower, then move into daily maintenance mode. Daily maintenance means you’ll only need to do a super clean every few months—or even less frequently—if you are diligent with the daily routine.
Dealing with Too Many Suds? Here’s What’s Happening
“Dear Mary: I just used this. It did help a really disgusting situation but one observation. I had wayyyy too many suds from the Dawn and had to wipe to get the residue soap off many times. I’m guessing today’s Dawn is much more concentrated than when you first published your mixture proportions.”
–Ruskin
Ah, the classic “too many suds” dilemma, Ruskin! You’re absolutely right—today’s Dawn is indeed more concentrated than it used to be. The newer formulas, like the 4x and 5x versions, pack even more of those heavy-duty surfactants. They’re the magic behind Blue Dawn’s cleaning power, but they also bring more foam than we bargained for!
So, what’s the fix? First, don’t panic about those suds. You’ve got the right idea—just keep wiping as needed. But in the future, I’d recommend experimenting a bit with the amount of Dawn you’re using. You might find that a little less goes a long way, especially since we don’t need to go full “Dawn explosion” every time.
Remember, you really only need to pull out the heavy-duty Tub and Shower Soap Scum Cleaner for a big scrub once in a while. For daily or weekly upkeep, you’re good with a gentler approach—more maintenance, less mess.
A Solution for Back Pain Relief While Cleaning
“Dear Mary: I rent a property that hasn’t been properly cleaned in years, and the soap scum and grime are just stubborn. I know your cleaner works like magic, but the buildup is so intense that I’m having to scrub more than I’d like—and with my chronic back pain, that’s just not a good combination. I’m looking for an easier way to tackle this without having to bend and scrub so much. Is there something I can do to make the process more manageable?”
–Beth
Beth, thank you for sharing your experience! I totally get how back pain can turn what should be a quick cleaning task into a major ordeal. For those stubborn spots or when a space has been neglected for a while, it may require a little elbow grease (but only at the start!).
Now, for those of you dealing with back pain, there’s a solution to make things even easier: an Electric Spin Scrubber. Imagine cleaning your entire shower or tub without bending over or scrubbing manually. This tool comes with an adjustable extension handle, so you can reach high and low spots with minimal strain. It has two power modes—one for everyday cleaning and one for those tougher, built-up areas.
So, if back pain has made you dread cleaning day, this might just be the solution you’ve been looking for. Let the scrubber do the heavy lifting while you take care of your back. And remember, the magic of our Tub and Shower Soap Scum Cleaner still works wonders when you let it sit and do the work for you—no scrubbing required unless it’s a particularly stubborn buildup.
Storing Leftovers? Here’s What to Expect
“Hi! I made this today; does the left over spray keep on the shelf just fine? I noticed after it sat on the counter the color changed.”
–Victoire
Great question, Victoire! Yes, your leftover spray will keep just fine on the shelf. You might notice some separation over time—nothing to worry about. It’s just the natural way some of the ingredients settle. Before each use, simply give the bottle a good shake to combine everything back together. That’s it! Your cleaning solution will be just as effective.
A Brilliant Tip for Big Jobs
“I don’t have the strength in my hands to use a spray bottle for the whole shower, so I mixed a big batch in a garden sprayer, pumped it up, and was able to clean two tub/shower combinations in no time. It’s a miracle!”
–Karen
Karen, thank you so much for sharing this genius solution! Using a garden sprayer is absolutely brilliant—what a time-saver. Not only does it save your hands from the spray bottle struggle, but it also makes cleaning larger areas like two tub/shower combos a breeze. I love how effective it is, and I’m sure many readers will be thrilled to try it too.
Thanks again for sharing, Karen!
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I used the Tub and Shower Soap Scum Cleaner every month or so until I noticed it was taking the finish off the shower fixtures. They now look awful and have rust on the edges where all the finish has worn off. It worked great but wasn’t worth it as now they need to be replaced. I’m back to using Bon Ami cleanser and more work. Has anyone else had this problem?
Would distilled water work better than tap water in the recipe for shower/tub spray with hydrogen peroxide?
For the soap scum or just general cleaning, I found a product that is fantastic! I have asthma and can’t do chemical smells any more. You just spray on this product and forget it till the next day. Just rinse it off and your shower and tub look like new. You just spray it once a week. It comes in a gallon jug. Under $16.00 at Menards. I use it in the camper and at home. The product is called Wet and Forget Shower. I just love this product!
I’m allergic to Sodium Laurel Sulfate so Blue Dawn is out for me, too. I’ve found Ecos fragrance free dish soap work for me. Best part: my local hardware store carries it for $2.99 for a 25 oz bottle. Since I’m a member I get a monthly coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase so every few months I just load up and use my coupon.
As much as I love and use Dr Bronner’s Castile soap (bathing, various DIY cleaners around the house, washing the dog, etc) … it will not work in the Soap Scum Cleaner. Castile soap cannot be mixed with vinegar, or it congeals. Look at Dr Bronner’s Sal Suds as a possible alternative. I have not tried it, but I understand it works with vinegar.