How do I get rid of these?

Question

In my shower, I have soap scum, hard water on my shower head, mold and mildew on the shower floor and a few spots on the shower wall. What is the best way to safely get rid of these without using harsh chemicals? Can you help?

Jill R. Wright · Answer

I use scrubbing bubbles and a magic eraser. It seems to work every time. If that doesn't work, maybe some Borax?

RCooper @ thoughtsbyher.com · Answer

If you are wanting to not use chemicals have you considered using things like vinegar or baking soda? I'm not too sure how those would attack mold but it could be a good place to start.

Shelly F · Answer

Baking soda. I scrub my tub down with a damp rag that I sprinkle baking soda on. Then rinse it off. As for the shower head. Take it off and soak in vinegar for about and hour the scrub with a soft toothbrush and that should do it.

Grandmaquilts · Answer

I agree with the above... would just add that the purpose of fabric SOFTNER is to soften HARD water (and it's spots).... Try to soak if you can and follow up with baking soda-paste. You can buy stronger vinegar in the cleaning dept..

Julie Yeary · Answer

1/2 vinegar and 1/2 dawn in one of those dish wands that you put soap in the handle. Don't use where you can't rinse freely. It will foam a lot. I also keep a magic sponge in reach in my tub so I can spot clean when I bathe. While showering you can probably keep the dish wand handy. Just use caution because I imagine it will get slippery.

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Friend bought a house - tiles in the tub/shower looked like they'd never been cleaned Scum and mineral deposits. I used a well-soaked SOS pad to clean them up, and then rinsed them well. Looked like new. I also use an SOS on my outer windows to get the mineral deposits off.

Angel12824 · Answer

for the mold use peroxide mixed with water let set for 1 hour then scrub.  For the scum on the brass I would use lemon.   As for the scum on the tile, nothing has worked better for me than the magic erasers.

Maureen · Answer

Baking soda. For mould an mildew I make a paste out of baking soda and dish soap, apply thickly and rinse off in the morning.

Dee · Answer

Another thought for your shower head would be to replace with a head that you can install a shower filter inside that removes some of the deposits from the water. This should help alleviate some of your concerns plus it's healthier for you also. This is what worked for us. Sprite Shower Filter.

Mtn Willow · Answer

We have very hard water, I use one cup of dawn, 1cup of vinegar warmed up a bit about 40 sec in microwave. Pour into an old spray bottle, spray entire area its smelly ! I let it sit an hour and then I sometimes use a long handle scrub brush. It works great! My bathroom was bad when we moved it . I looks like new! It sounds like more work than it is. I rinse with cold water to remove all the grime, hard water stains, and mildew. Hope this helps.

Cathy Caron · Answer

I use bartenders friend the liquid kind and a scrubby the one with the yellow sponge. It works great on soap scum , and a mixture of water and bleach in a spray bottle (turn the exhaust fan on) leave for about 30 min to 1 hour and spray down with hot water for the mold. I live in Florida so mold and mildew are a problem. I just make sure that everyone sprays the shower down after they take a shower.

Donna · Answer

Can't say how to remove them but I can tell you how to prevent them from returning once you remove them. After showering and or using your basin wipe the water off the walls and fixtures and dry your fixtures and basin after use. It takes minutes and a easy habit to get in. It also reduces the need to clean as often if done daily after showers and basin use.

Liza · Answer

All great ideas. Personally the dawn and vinegar works best for me

Larose LoganOakes · Answer

I use an Absorber drying cloth to wipe down the walls of my shower when I have finished taking my shower. It rolls up into the plastic tube nicely and it can stay in there wet without mildewing until I am ready to use it again. You can wash it weekly only do not and I repeat DO NOT put it in the dryer.This step may seem like a royal pain but it is worth it to keep away all mold and mildew.You can get the Absorber at Walmart in the automotive dept. I keep another Absorber in the bathroom that is strictly for drying my hair. It helps to get most of the water out of my long hair and it reduces my drying time. I use another product by the makers of Goo Gone called Pro Power and it comes in a spray bottle and you can buy it at Home Depot. It is reasonably priced.It gets off all of the soap scum and residue left behind from your shower.I found that I have to rinse this stuff off with some Dawn in a spray bottle as it makes the bathtub extremely slippery.I have plastic folding doors for my shower and the Pro Power takes all of the soap scum off immediately. It is amazing! Good Luck!:)

Vicki ta · Answer

vinegar removes hard water stains. use it my aquarium it always has hard water buildup. adding soap sounds like a good idea as a shower spray

Paul Gauthier · Answer

If you are able to get it clean, spray a light coat of furniture polish on the hardware and the walls but not on the floor. If it gets on the floor clean it off. Then put on a hand held shower attachment and run the water over everything when you are done showering.

Johnchip · Answer

For the mold, the only sure way is Clorox, no other brand of bleach but Clorox really works.

Tami Stone · Answer

I just read a thing on cleaning soap/water spots with half a grapefruit & some kosher salt. To sum things up...

Sprinkle the salt and scrub with the grapefruit. Don't know if it works, but no harm in trying. However, at the bottom it said that grapefruit is toxic to animals , so make sure you let it all dry real good before they come in.

KLB · Answer

Used for years. Boil 1/2c vinegar In a glass cup. Add 1/2c. BLUE Dawn dish soap & mix. Pour into a spray bottle to spray on tub walls. (I plug my drain because I have a septic system, then collect later to use as a washer pre-spot treatment).

Let set for 15-20 minutes & wipe down.

I think the Dawn just holds the vinegar to the walls, but it has oxygen bleach in there, too. After collecting used solution, rinse well. No scratches on your tile, sparkles, easy & quick. Good luck.

John · Answer

a product called CLR, but it really stinks...so have adequate ventilation

V Valencia · Answer

I have tried many things. I got a tip from another Hometalker on how to clean my glass shower door. She told me to try Lime Away Toilet Bowl Cleaner. (You can get this at the dollar store.) I tried it and it worked the best and was the easiest to use. I thought why not try on the wall tile and floor to take off hard water stains. It worked there too! I just squeeze it on, rub it around so it covers the area and leave it for about 10 minutes. Scrub a bit with scouring sponge. After that, rinse with water.

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