Asked on May 15, 2016

Cleaning 'plastic' tile walls & caulking around tub and tile walls

Dee
by Dee
In an income property we have what we think are 'plastic' shower walls. Any ideas on how to get soap scum off? Also, there are large gaps in the corners where the walls "are supposed to meet" but don't. Any good caulking suggestions. Can't afford to replace walls at this time. Thanks
  10 answers
  • Deb Deb on May 15, 2016
    vinegar with water and a hard scrub. If the gap is in the shower maybe a plastic molding and good caulking on it to cover it up. But you might not afford to leave that up there. If water gets in there it will damage the walls, flooring, and underneath the house the joints which is considerably more than replacing and put up new wall and tiles. You will also get black mold. You can't afford it you can't afford not to.
  • Lindy Lindy on May 15, 2016
    It's not plastic, it's more than likely an acrylic tub surround so DON'T use anything abrasive on it or it will scratch and that's not what you want. I also have this as a one piece acrylic and tub surround and I found LA's Totally Awesome Cleaner ($1.00!!! at the Dollar Store-don't order on line!) did a remarkable job. It's advertised as a "green cleaner", but some may disagree. One thing it is is "totally awesome" for sure and my tub sparkles when I'm done. That is except for the scratches from prior owner using abrasives. Also, the Scrub Daddy (Bed Bath and Beyond) that was on Shark Tank is also "totally awesome" so they are a fine combo.
  • Dee Dee on May 15, 2016
    Super, thanks so much!
  • Dee Dee on May 15, 2016
    good advice. thanks
  • Upstater Upstater on May 15, 2016
    Get some" Krud Kutter" at Lowes or Home Depot or Walmart. Spray on, leave on for a bit and rinse off. Great stuff!
  • Mis2827662 Mis2827662 on May 16, 2016
    Dawn dish soap and a Mr Clean easer
  • Kelley M Kelley M on May 16, 2016
    Awesome from the dollar store is indeed awesome. For particularly bad soap and hard water stains take a few paper towel soaked and wet in white vinegar and put them on the places needing the attention. Spray more vinegar on the towels. Let them stay on for 30 minutes spray more vinegar on every 10 min (keeping the towels very wet and plastered down on the area). Check on the stain in 30 min. If it's not able to be removed with a light scrape i.e. Finger nail or soft toothbrush, reapply the paper towel and vinegar for another 30 minutes. You can also use baking soda to scrub as it doesn't scratch, mixing the baking soda and vinaigrettes with make a foaming cleanser that will help with the tough spots. Put a heavy coat of baking soda on the tough spot, rub it in a bit, begin to spray white vinegar on the baking soda to keep it bubbling. Foaming cleanser.
  • Kelley M Kelley M on May 16, 2016
    I love dawn dish soap, especially for oily stains!
  • Dee Dee on May 16, 2016
    Thanks Kelley!
  • Dee Dee on May 16, 2016
    Thanks, everyone had great thoughts