Have you finished a few Spring Cleaning Challenges? Today’s we’ll tackle one that’s probably pretty low on everyone’s to-do list, but it’ll feel so good when it’s done. Grab your favorite cleaner and some rags (and maybe some disinfecting wipes . . . ) and do a thorough cleaning of your bathrooms.
To get you started, here’s a great tip for cleaning soap scum from PPP reader Brenda that I tried out last week and it works! (I was so excited!) Make homemade soap scum remover that isn’t nearly as toxic as many of store bought cleaners. Here’s how to mix it:
Soap Scum Cleaner
- Heat vinegar in microwave until hot.
- Add to spray bottle, then add equal part Dawn Dish soap.
- Spray and let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe away soap scum (WOOHOO!)
Brenda says that it will keep in the bottle, and I’ve got mine ready to go for the next time I need to tackle it. I used it in my shower and it worked so well… I was thrilled! Thanks so much for the tip, Brenda. 
I’ve done all 3 bathrooms, floors, dis infected toys, cleaned kitchen, dining room, dusted and cleaned the windows in all the doors today, and am drying the slip cover to my couch that apparently attacked by chocolate milk.
I just did this two days ago! Would love to win the GC! Trying to save up Amazon bucks for something for Derek!
I use castile soap (liquid) instead of dawn and it works good too! I use it for everything around the house. I also add like a few teaspoons of borax just for kicks!! hehe!
I have done my share of cleaning today for company this weekend. I’m excited to try this out on my tile shower! I can’t stand that strong chemical smell that last all day.
Cant wai it try this! I just attempted to clean my shower the other day – I ended up with the “chemical burned” smell from bleach and the soap scum is still there, ugh!
I love this cleaner! It minimizes scrub time and works at room temp too.
Love this mixture! If the vinegar smell bugs you, you can add a little lemon juice to cover it up a little.
Love this cleaning solution! Had to go over my shower twice, but its jut because Ive neglected it lately. Will definitely try the lemon juice, as I am not a fan of the vinegar smell. Thanks for posting this solution!!
The vinegar smell was a little strong, I think I’ll try the lemon too! So glad it worked for you
Got it done! Just keep forgetting to comment.
This was wonderful! I have asthma and hate chemical smells. Nothing was cleaning the shower and I was convinced we’d need a new shower stall. I read this last night and gave it a try tonight. My shower looks like new!
This is my least favorite cleaning task. Thank you for the motivation to get it done though!
Gettin ready to try this out. Must you use Dawn?
Every recipe I’ve seen says Dawn, so I went ahead and bought Dawn
I’m guessing something else would work, but have heard so many people talk about the wonders of Dawn that I felt like I should use it! Let me know if you try it with another dish soap how it works.
I like this idea. Will definitely be making up a batch of this cleaner. I am trying to get away from using bleach for cleaning. Old habits die hard. I have switched to white vinegar though for cleaning the windows and for cleaning my glass table top. Works great with a bit of elbow grease and a paper towel.
I think you’ll like it Linda – my mom has always used bleach for everything, but vinegar is my old standby!
Dawn is an exellent product. For cleaning windows I use newspapers instead of paper towels. Less streaking.
Great idea! Worked well in the shower. Thanks so much for the tip.
So glad it worked for you Mary!
I’ve been using this homemade soap scum spray for a few months now, and I really think it works better than anything I’ve purchased – and you would think it would smell bad, but when you combine the dawn and the vinegar, it actually has a pleasing scent! This stuff is terrific, and my tubs/showers/sinks seem to stay scum-free longer after cleaning with it than with commercial products. YAY!
WOW! I have 2 teenage boys and have been having a problem w even the name brand stuff that I hate using becase of the price and the cemicals. I only buy dawn any way as it is a degreaser and the best value I have found even when I run out and must pay full price (doesent happen offten) I also use vineager instead of bleach or other cemicals most of the time but for some reason it never occured to me to put them togather. I used much less Dawn than called for but I also use consentrated and I am truly amazed!!!
So glad it worked for you!
3 bathrooms so clean you can eat off the floor:)
I used Palmolive Ultra Lavender in place of the Dawn and it worked great! It will also work to coat the surface of the shower and let it sit all night and when you shower the next morning it requires very little scrubbing. You just need to be sure to rinse the floor of the shower before you get in as it is very slippery with the soap solution on it. I put some of the cleaner in a dish scrubbing wand and use it to for the stubborn spots.
I cleaned the tile shower today with the bleach stuff and it didn’t work too well. I am going to make a batch of this stuff and try it tomorrow! Can’t wait to see if it works!
Hope it works…. I really do love it! Be sure to get your vinegar good and warm and use Dawn ~ I definitely think it will be easier to work with than bleach (although it is a little on the stinky side with all the vinegar, so make sure your room is ventilated well!)
No dawn
but heading out tomorrow to get some, really want to try this!!
I really do think it’s worth getting Dawn for it…. definitely seems to work the best (you want the blue bottle!)
Like the vinegar in your original recipe, does the mixture need to be heated when reused?
Yes – I do warm it up in my microwave (I also now try to make it in smaller amounts so that I don’t have a ton extra.) Hope that helps Angela!
I clean all of my counter tops with vinegar already and must trry this solution on the stubborn stains in our showers. I hate soap scum with a passion, it is so slick. Thanks for this wonderful tip.
I sprayed my shower, then let it sit while I did some laundry. It worked great! I didn’t have to scrub as much, and he outcome was better than chemicals. Thanks for the tips!
So glad it worked for you Crystal!
I have tried this and need some troubleshooting help. My sprayer will be working perfectly but when I put in the hot solution it quits spraying after the first pump and then the sprayer is useless for anything. Any advice? I would really love to use this on my disgusting bathtubs. I clean them but they never look “clean”.
Hmmmmm… I’ve never had that happen before, so I’m not sure! I wonder if since you can’t spray it you could put it on a dry rag and spread a good bit all over your tub, then let it soak for a few minutes? My water wasn’t boiling but it is hot, and I didn’t have any issues. (Also, be sure to shake well as the Dawn is so thick.) Hope that helps some Judith!
Do you use 50% vinegar and 50% Dawn? This seems like a lot of soap. Has anyone tried it with less soap? And what was the result?
I do use 50% and 50%, but make a smaller amount usually (like I’ll use 1/2 cup each rather than making a huge batch.) If using less vinegar works I’d love to know!
It’s probably the sprayer. They are fickle things. I finally put out money on one that is guaranteed to work.
This worked so well! I have to make a bigger batch next time. So affordable, and it works better than other cleaners I have bought. I’m also 7 months pregnant, and can use it safely making sure our bathroom is sparkling! Once again, you have saved the day Passionate Penny Pincher! Now I am trying your ranch slow cooker pork chops for dinner as well!!!!
I don’t have a microwave, does this HAVE to be heated? If so do you know why? Maybe I can heat it on my stove I guess? I really want to try this. Thank you for the post.
What's the purpose of heating the vinegar? Does this mean you need to reheat it prior to each use?
Worked ok The fumes were almost worst that store bought chemicals!
Worked ok The fumes were almost worst that store bought chemicals!
I use this quite often. Used it yesterday at my mom’s new house. Did great. Had to use some baking soda on really bad spots, but I don’t think the tub or sink had been cleaned in YEARS.
Thanks so much for sharing Novella – I may try the baking soda too (I still have a few bad spots in mine, but most of it’s gone!)
Why are no proportions given for the vinegar and dish soap – looks like nobody ever questioned this? It also looks like no one ever addressed the purpose of heating the vinegar and if reheating w/ each use would is necessary. Maybe I’m not seeing everything I should be seeing but these issues need to be addressed unless they already are.
Hi Bill! Like it says in the post, just add equal parts vinegar and Dawn. I usually only make enough for one batch (so I use about 1/4 cup Dawn and 1/4 cup vinegar), and then make a new batch when I need it a second time, but I’m betting you could re-heat it in the microwave and give it a good shake which would work too. Hope that helps!