Asked on Dec 18, 2014

Dissolving/removing soap scum from fiberglass shower floor

Eloise
by Eloise
Does anyone have a remedy (homemade or retail) for removing/dissolving soap scum from a fiberglass shower stall floor. I would like to use something that will form a paste that I can leave on for a bit, then scrub (w/o using too much elbow grease) and rinse.
  15 answers
  • Shari Shari on Dec 18, 2014
    Probably the best thing I have found for removing soap scum on tile, fiberglass and old cast iron bathtubs is the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponges. Those things are "magically" fantastic! There is a very popular homemade recipe that involves heated white vinegar and some Dawn dishwashing liquid that is suppose to work well for soap scum but it really didn't work for me, plus the Dawn made it super soapy and hard to rinse. Ick. I'll stick to the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponges.
  • Renep Renep on Dec 18, 2014
    I just spray Clean Up (Chlorox) and leave for a little while, then rinse with spray.
  • Nancy Toy Nancy Toy on Dec 18, 2014
    spray with vinegar let sit then spray again and wipe with magic eraser.
  • Brenda Slone Brenda Slone on Dec 18, 2014
    Put warm water just to cover bottom of tub pour half cup vinegar let it work for 10 minutes swish clean let out the dirty water.
  • Greta Swanson Greta Swanson on Dec 18, 2014
    @Eloise , pour baking soda and use a wet sponge and scrub. Then I pour vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it over the baking soda areas, let it foam and then scrub a bit more and rinse.
  • Barbara Barbara on Dec 18, 2014
    try WD-40 I liked it on the glass shower door, but still took some scrubbing on the fiberglass shower itself
  • Ticia Barnes Ticia Barnes on Dec 18, 2014
    Dawn and vinegar are my go to for soap scum. 1 part dawn to 2 parts warm vinegar . Mix gently and apply with a spray bottle.Leave for a little while and then test a spot. Warming the vinegar helps in mix but it will work unwarmed as well.
  • Linda Linda on Dec 19, 2014
    Clean it off with vinegar. Might take a few swipes but it will work. Then, (old trick I used when I lived in the barracks and we'd get inspected) Every few days spray some pledge on the glass and polish it. Any new soap scum or splashes disappeared and we didn't get written up for having dirty showers. Pledge (or other brands) is the key to KEEPING it nice.
  • Trish Davenport Trish Davenport on Dec 19, 2014
    I had the same problem in a former home and after using everything else I used Chlorox Clean-up Gel and it worked like magic on a scrubbie.
  • Donna Bennett Donna Bennett on Dec 19, 2014
    I use Avon Skin so Soft oil. It really works and leaves a nice fragrance.
  • Roxanne Tabler Roxanne Tabler on Dec 19, 2014
    Just take a bubble bath with any Avon Bubbles. You get clean and so does your tub.
    • Eloise Eloise on Dec 19, 2014
      @Roxanne Tabler The bathtub is porcelain and is easy to clean. It's the shower stall with a fiberglass floor that's the issue. Very different material.
  • GPMH GPMH on Dec 19, 2014
    Try white vinegar - it's marvellous for cleaning most things.
  • Eloise Eloise on Dec 19, 2014
    Thanks everyone. I found that equal parts Dawn and white vinegar left on the surface for a bit loosened the scum, followed up by scrubbing the entire surface with a Magic Eraser. Worked like a charm with very little elbow grease required.
    • Gail Salminen Gail Salminen on Dec 20, 2014
      @Eloise thanks for the info and @GPMH for the tip. I have had this problem for quite some time now. Tried everything, but will try this tomorrow.
  • GPMH GPMH on Dec 21, 2014
    Good luck with your efforts Gail ... and Merry Christmas!.
  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Sep 06, 2023

    I use a mixture of Blue dawn dish soap (5-6 oz) in a 32 oz empty water bottle, fill with vinegar. In the cap, either make slits with a knife or poke holes and give the bottle a mix. Spritz all over your shower/tub, then brush with a dollar store broom tto spread it around. Let set for about 30 min rinse well. Keep this broom dedicated for this purpose so your shower does not get scratched. Repeat as needed.


    To prevent after you have cleaned it, wipe or squeegie til dry. Then coat with automotive wax, some people use Rainex with success.