I’ve discovered how to remove soap scum from my shower — and I’m never going to have grimy glass again

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Get a streak-free shine

soap scum on shower door
(Image credit: Getty Images)

I’m forever trying to clean soap scum off my shower door, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t achieve a streak-free shine. While the rest of my bathroom looks sparkling clean, the foggy appearance on my shower door lets it down.

With a house full of sporty adults, the shower feels as though it’s in constant use, and I struggle to keep it spotless without scrubbing away all day! So, I decided to call on the help of cleaning experts to ask them how to clean a glass shower door to remove soap scum.

The grimy reason behind soap scum

Limescale on shower screen

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

While you feel fresher after a long hot shower, or a quick cold blast, your shower door has taken a beating. Hammered with a deluge of soap and water, it’s no wonder it leaves its mark.

“Soap scum is the cloudy film that builds up where hard water deposits, soap and body oils mix, most often on shower doors, tile and tubs, and leaves surfaces looking and feeling dirty,” says Adrienne Gibbons, Senior Director of Marketing at Jelmar, a CLR Brands’ parent company.

And she adds, its insoluble and sticky nature makes it difficult to remove. What’s more, the problem will be intensified if you have hard water, as soap scum and hard water stains are partners in crime.

How to remove soap scum

Woman cleaning a shower screen

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The good news is that you can use household staples to remove soap scum from your shower, and according to Marla Mock, President of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company, there are two approaches depending on the intensity of the marks.

What you’ll need:
Dish soap and white vinegar
Baking soda and water
Microfiber cloth
Squeeggee

Method one: For a weekly clean
As a weekly task, Mock recommends mixing equal parts dish soap and white vinegar in a spray bottle. “Spray the solution onto the shower glass, letting it sit for at least 30 minutes to work on dissolving the soap scum,” she says.

Method two: For a deeper clean
An alternative method is to mix baking soda with water to form a paste. Mock explains, “Scrub the glass in a circular motion, applying more pressure on the problem areas. The baking soda will break down the soap scum while acting as a natural scrub.”

This method is best used less frequently when a deeper clean is needed, as “Baking soda is too abrasive and can etch glass over time, “ says Cliff Gielow, President and Owner at Lemon Bay Glass.

Finish with a rinse and polish
After following either of the above methods, Mock says to rinse the glass thoroughly with water and then finish by cleaning the surface with a glass cleaner, working in a circular motion with a microfiber cloth to prevent streaks.

Warning:
Before you use any of these products to clean your shower door, Mock warns you to check the manufacturer’s recommendations, especially if your shower door has an anti-fog protective film or an etched finish. “These finishes might be sensitive to stronger products like vinegar, so be sure to research what the best practices are for your specific glass,” she says.

Mr SIGA Multi-Purpose Silicon Squeegee
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This silicon squeegee, with a durable and flexible 10-inch silicon blade, removes soap scum, water drops and limescale without leaving marks. The multi-purpose tool is ideal for cleaning shower doors, windows and car windshields, and comes with a suction hook for easy storage.

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How to prevent the buildup of soap scum

Cleaning shower

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

To save you from having to deep-clean your shower door, there is a simple step you can take to cut down on this chore.

“Spend 10 seconds after your shower squeegeeing and you’ll rarely need anything more than a mild cleaner,” says Gielow.

This removes the problem of soap scum and hard water being left on the glass for prolonged periods, and decreases the chance of grim taking hold.

Another option is to invest in a water softener, which will prevent soap scum and hard water deposits from combining to create a crime scene of grime.

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Camilla Sharman
Camilla Sharman
Staff Writer, Homes

Camilla is the Homes Staff Writer and covers everything to do with homes and gardens. She has a wealth of editorial experience, mounting over 30 years, and covers news and features, tests products for reviews and compiles buying guides. 


Her work has appeared in business and consumer titles, including Ideal Home, Real Homes, House Beautiful, Homebuilding & Renovation, and Kitchen & Bathroom Business. She’s even appeared on the cover of Your Home, writing about her own house renovation.


Although she’s obsessed with decorating her home, she also enjoys baking and trying out the latest kitchen appliances. But when she’s not inside, you’ll find her pottering about in her yard, tending to her vegetable patch or taking in her prized hydrangeas.

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