How to Clean Soap Scum and Tackle the Stubborn Grime in Your Bathroom

Soap does a great job at cleaning where you want it to, but you can’t always count on it to wash itself clean when it’s all said and done. The good news is that learning how to clean soap scum is much easier than trying to scrub it away with sheer willpower. Here’s how to keep your sink, bath, and shower scum-free.

What Is Soap Scum?

Learning how to get rid of soap scum begs the question: Why does soap—which is supposed to make us clean—leave behind a grimy film? And what is it?

Soap scum is a mixture of hard water mineral deposits with fatty acids, talc, and other ingredients from your soap. If you want the grosser part, it also contains dirt, bacteria, body oil, and dead skin. The harder your water is, the more soap scum you’ll have to deal with, and the longer you wait, the harder it will be to remove.

How to Remove Soap Scum From Any Surface

In a perfect world, you’d give every surface a daily wipe down, and you’d never have to worry about how to clean soap scum. But it’s easy to miss the grimy deposits until they become an icky, impossible-to-clean film. When the inevitable happens, you can use a variety of store-bought cleaners, or you can turn to homemade cleaners like vinegar and baking soda. Here’s how to remove soap scum from the different surfaces in your kitchen and bathroom.

How to Clean Soap Scum Off Tile, Ceramic, and Porcelain Surfaces

1. Mix white vinegar with baking soda to form a paste. A ratio of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts baking soda will do the trick.

2. Once the paste stops fizzing, apply it to the scummy areas.

3. Allow the paste to sit for around 15 to 20 minutes.

4. Wipe the surface clean with a damp microfiber cloth.

How to Remove Soap Scum From Natural Stone

Vinegar and other acidic cleaners, as well as most commercial soap scum removers, are generally not safe for use on natural stone surfaces. If you encounter soap scum on your natural stone tile or basin, stick with a commercial cleaner that’s meant for natural stone and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Since these surfaces are sensitive to harsh cleaning methods, it’s best to clean them as often as possible to minimize the need for scrubbing.

How to Remove Soap Scum From Glass or Fiberglass Showers

1. Create a 1-to-4 mixture of vinegar to baking soda to clean glass and fiberglass shower doors. 

2. Put it on the soap scum and let it sit for 10 minutes. 

3. Use a damp microfiber cloth to remove the mixture. 

4. Follow up with a dry cloth to dry and buff your glass. 

Removing Soap Scum from a Showerhead

1. Place undiluted vinegar in a plastic bag. 

2. Put the bag over your showerhead, using a rubber band to hold it in place. 

3. Let it soak for at least an hour. 

4. Remove the plastic bag and use an old toothbrush to remove the soap scum. 

5. Rinse your showerhead.

6. Use a microfiber cloth to dry and buff it. 

Cleaning Soap Scum From Stainless Steel

1. Put undiluted vinegar in a spray bottle to start cleaning your stainless steel fixture. 

2. Spray the soap scum until it’s saturated.

3. Let the vinegar sit for 10 minutes. 

4. Use a microfiber cloth to remove the vinegar and soap scum. 

5. Use a dry cloth to dry and buff your stainless steel fixtures. 

6. Repeat this process until the soap scum is completely gone. 

Cleaning Soap Scum From Brass and Bronze

Brass and oil-rubbed bronze are living finishes, which means they’re uncoated and designed to change over time. It’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean these fixtures to avoid damaging them. Testing a small hidden area is recommended to ensure any cleaning method you use won't damage your fixture. 

1. Put 2 cups of warm water and 2 cups of vinegar in a medium-size bowl. 

2. Use a microfiber cloth to apply the solution generously over the soap scum. 

3. Let it sit for 10 minutes. 

4. Use a soft sponge to scrub the soap scum until it’s gone. 

5. Rinse your fixture. 

6. Use a dry microfiber cloth to dry and buff it. 

7. Repeat as needed for stubborn soap scum. 

How to Remove Soap Scum From a Fabric Shower Curtain

Your fabric shower curtains aren’t immune from soap scum buildup. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll need to buy a new one. Fortunately, your washing machine is one of the best ways to have it look as good as new. If available, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean your shower curtain the right way.

1. Remove your shower curtain from the shower rings and place it in the washing machine. 

2. Add your regular laundry detergent. 

3. Add 1 cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle.

4. Let the cycle complete, remove the curtain, and hang it to air-dry. 

Preventing Soap Scum Buildup

Photo: alexandre zveiger / Adobe Stock

Maintaining a diligent cleaning routine using this cleaning checklist is your best line of defense against soap scum. If you quickly wipe down your tile walls after each shower, you'll make quick work of would-be scummy deposits before they become a problem. 

Some other strategies for preventing soap scum include the following:

• Switch from bar soap: Liquid gel cleanser is less likely to create soap scum than bar soap.

• Always close the shower curtain: Mildew and other buildup grow quickly when your curtain is folded.

• Wash your shower curtain liner: You can wash it in the washing machine on a quick cycle with a mild detergent and hang it to dry.

• Open your bathroom windows and doors: Opening windows and doors can help to decrease moisture levels and increase air circulation.

• Combat hard water: Consider investing in the cost of a water softener system to reduce the number of mineral deposits in your water. 

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Get Rid of Soap Scum

Staying on top of soap scum—and cleaning in general—is no easy feat. If you’re having trouble, it’s worth looking into the cost of hiring a house cleaner. A local house cleaning service can help you keep up with the cleaning regularly so gunk won’t have the time to build up.

Alison Kasch contributed to this piece.