How to Clean Soap Scum Off Shower Doors

Who else thinks soap scum is the enemy of all homeowners?

This past weekend I decided to put my cleaning plan into action and eliminate the haze on my shower doors that's from soap & hard water. I used the safe combination of baking soda and white vinegar to remove the soap scum. Then I applied Rain-X to the shower door glass to prevent this from happening again, or at the very least stop me from having to clean the doors as frequently.

I wanted to share this process because it worked better than I thought it would. You can view the blog post I put together at http://www.homerepairtutor.com/clean-shower-....

If you don't do anything else you should view the video. Not only does it walk you through everything I did it shows you one crucial action I forgot to take-comb my hair before filming! But I don't mind embarrassing myself for the Hometalk community.

#Bestof2012

Time: 30 Minutes Difficulty: Easy

To see more: http://www.homerepairtutor.com/clean-shower-doors

77 Comments Displaying 25 of 77 comments | See Previous

Melissa Gutilla Stephens City, VA

Your welcome! I used to clean houses about 10 years ago and it works like a charm. You just have to redo it about every 6 months or so depending on use. I also an going to try putting white vinegar in my toilet upstairs daily. I never knew the pink line around it was algae until reading the comments. Will keep you posted on how it works

on Dec 04, 2012 · Like 1
Wet & Forget Downers Grove, IL

Hey Home Repair Tutor, Wet & Forget Shower is brand new so right now there are only a few locations in stock but after the new year you will see it being carried at your local Ace Hardware, and Do It Best to name a few. Also, We do have a store locator on our website specifically for the shower product so there may be a nearby retail store. However, if you don't want to wait, you can always purchase from our online shop. Thanks for the article.

on Dec 05, 2012 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

I purchased Wet and Forget Shower and am doing an 8 week test. So far I've been really happy with the results. The funny part is that I'm doing the same kind of test on our patio with the outdoor product and just the other day commented on the noticeable difference. So I'm excited to see what will happen in the shower :)

on Dec 27, 2012 · Like 4
Wet & Forget Downers Grove, IL

Great video! We're all very excited to see the results!

on Dec 27, 2012 · Like 0
Laura Hensley Youngstown, FL

car wax can be a good idea but it is heck to clean off!

on Dec 27, 2012 · Like 1
Laura Hensley Youngstown, FL

dawn, magic eraser, OR grease lightening works great!

on Dec 27, 2012 · Like 2
Valerie Becerra Kelseyville, CA

If you wet a dryer sheet and rub on the glass doors, it removes soap scum.

on Dec 27, 2012 · Like 1
Wendy Belcher Rome, PA

Give your 7 year old grandson a Scotch sponge and some ends of the bottle shampoo and let him go at it.... Everything 4 feet and down is sparkling clean !
including the dirt under his nails... :)

on Dec 27, 2012 · Like 5
Doris appleton Brooklet, GA

there is a product you can get at an automobile glass shop. it repels water and if you use it after you clean your shower doors it works great. you have to apply it about every 2 weeks

on Dec 27, 2012 · Like 1
Vicki Custer City, OK

I used to clean houses after cleaning the door, I put baby oil on a dry wash cloth and applied it to the door. Worked really well. The next week all I did was wipe down with my cleaner and no elbow grease this time and re-applied the baby oil again.

on Dec 27, 2012 · Like 4
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Great suggestions, I especially like the grandson tip. Although the closest we have to a grandson is my nephew and he lives in Japan. Darn.

on Dec 27, 2012 · Like 0
Sandra Whittier Round Rock, TX

Orange Glo works great too, since it is also water resistent. Shower wall still looks new. Not on the floor of the tub!!

on Dec 27, 2012 · Like 0
Linda Meyer Savannah, GA

Great tip--- But...... will it also remove hard water stains from the glass and on the shower walls and on the edges of the shower door. Is it safe for those areas??? I have very hard water and have tried everything... nothing works.

on Dec 29, 2012 · Like 1
Lyn United Kingdom

Will this work on plastic shower doors - am desperate have tried everything :-(

on Dec 30, 2012 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Hi Lyn, you could always try this on a small area at first.

on Jan 12, 2013 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Linda, we have super hard water as well. You could always give it a shot and see what happens, especially since this isn't expensive.

on Jan 12, 2013 · Like 0
Linda H Washington, IA

to keep mirrors from fogging up, use shaving cream. spread it on and wipe it off.

on Jan 21, 2013 · Like 1
Charlene S Greeneville, TN

After cleaning the shower door, wipe it dry and 'polish' with shaving cream. Any brand will do. The water and soap just sheet right off.

on Jan 21, 2013 · Like 1
Kris S Minneapolis, MN

Wonder if any of these would work on the tile shower walls?

on Jan 21, 2013 · Like 0
Cindy Lakeland, FL

I have been looking for the best way to clean off my hard water stains FOREVER, and I think I finally found the combination that works for me! I got one of those Scotch dishwands, filled it half vinegar / half Original Dawn dish washing liquid! Get in the shower and do your thing.....after you're finished showering the walls and glass are all warm and steamy.....then hit 'em with this dishwand while you're still in there! My shower is a HAPPY shower now! : )

on Jan 22, 2013 · Like 2
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

That's a great tip Cindy. Sounds like you rinse the shower after using the dishwand?

on Jan 26, 2013 · Like 0
CindyandGeorge Schaeffer Palm Bay, FL

I use the already used dryer sheets on the glass in my shower and it works great! No elbow greese required! Plus I'm recycling.

on Feb 20, 2013 · Like 0
Yair S Atlanta, GA

Jeff, how's the 8 week Wet & Forget test going?

on Feb 20, 2013 · Like 0
Trudie S Jesup, GA

I use to own a floor covering store for 7 yrs. So here is a tip that you might want to try, after your ceramic tile is clean and free of any soap scum and dirt, try this. Buy yourself some car wax such as Turtle Wax or any good car wax. Apply it to the tile and let dry just as you would on a car and then wipe it off or buff it off. The car wax will make the water just roll off the tile and will make it alot easier to clean ;-) hope it works for you. The tile has a gloss finish, don't know ...»
if it should be used on slate or unfinished tile. Iv'e only used it on tile with a gloss finished on it.

on May 07, 2013 · Like 1
Kerri Paulus Smith

After cleaning a glass shower door of the white scum, put a light coat of lemon oil on it. It will keep the scum from coming back so soon. Plus it smells really good and clean. Works best with frosted glass, but it will work on clear as well.

on May 13, 2013 · Like 0