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Banish soap scum naturally with my Soap Scum Remover DIY! It’s a potent blend that works great for a sparklingly clean bathroom and kitchen.

A homemade soap scum spray on a bathroom sink after it has been cleaned.
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Soap scum is just one of life’s things that needs dealing with! It’s that grimy white stuff that forms around your sinks. Yep. You know it. That’s soap scum. 

It develops fast if you don’t keep on top of it!

You’ll adore this recipe I created for a soap scum remover, which works just as well as the leading brands. 

Instead of opting for an expensive, harsh soap scum remover from the store, why not save your hands (and your breathing space) with my DIY version?!

It’s made with ingredients you likely have in your kitchen already, making it super budget-friendly. 

Why You’ll Love this DIY

  • Customizable: You can adjust the recipe according to your liking, making it weaker or stronger by adding in more or less vinegar. You could even consider adding in some essential oils for fragrance!
  • Cost-effective: Homemade DIY solutions are generally more budget-friendly, and you get more in terms of quantity, too. 
  • Environmentally friendly: By reducing the use of harsh ingredients and skipping the plastic bottle, you are living more eco-consciously, doing your bit for the environment!
  • Transparency: You know exactly what ingredients are going into your cleaner, avoiding any mystery substances commonly found in store-bought products.

What You’ll Need

How to Make Soap Scum Remover

A glass bowl with soap scum mixture and a spoon in it.

Step 1: Combine the white vinegar and liquid dish soap in a mixing bowl. Stir it well to combine.

Pouring soap scum remover into a green glass spray bottle.

Step 2: Transfer the soap scum remover into a spray bottle for easy application.

Top tip: Old cleaning spray bottles work well and will save you a trip to the store!

A green glass spray bottle next to soap scum remover supplies.

How to Use Soap Scum Remover

Spraying soap scum remover onto a bathroom sink.

Step 1: Spray the soap scum remover onto the affected surfaces. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the solution to penetrate and loosen the soap scum.

Wiping a bathroom sink with a microfiber cloth.

Step 2: Use a rag or a gentle scrub brush to scrub away the soap scum. Go carefully on delicate surfaces to avoid scratches.

Rinsing a bathroom sink with water and a microfiber cloth.

Step 3: Rinse thoroughly with water.

Soap scum spray sitting on a bathroom vanity with a microfiber cloth.

Use regularly to avoid heavy soap scum build-up and enjoy a sparkling sink!

Expert Tips

  • Soap scum builds up quickly, so to prevent it from being unmanageable, keep up regular cleaning. I recommend a rudimentary cleaning of your shower, bathtub, and sink at least once a week.
  • This cleaner is not safe for use on granite or other natural stones. Use homemade granite cleaner instead.
  • You can purchase glass spray bottles online or reuse a spray bottle to keep it cheap and eco-friendly.
The clean bathroom after it has been wiped down with the soap scum spray.

Safety Precautions

As with any cleaning solution, when using a soap scum remover, you need to take correct safety precautions.

Wear gloves: Wear gloves and, if you have them, eye protection or goggles when handling a cleaning solution. This helps protect your skin and eyes from potential irritation. 

Ventilate the room: When using soap scum remover, remember to open your windows! This allows fresh air to circulate. While vinegar is a safe and natural cleaner, it can irritate airways if inhaled for too long.

Ingredient Handling: Be sure to handle the ingredients of this recipe with care. Keep the solution out of reach of children and pets. 

How to Prevent Soap Scum

  • Consider installing a water softener. Hard water causes soap scum buildup, and a water softener would help reduce the mineral deposits and hard water stains.
  • Use a shower filter. A shower filter helps remove chlorine and other impurities that could contribute to soap scum buildup.
  • Wipe down your shower or bathtub after each use. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe over your shower walls and bathtub/faucets so they’re dry after each use. If you are starting out with a really dirty surface, I would use this shower scrub recipe first and clean the grout with a homemade grout cleaner.
  • Ventilate the area. After bathing or showering, leave your windows and doors open or turn on a bathroom exhaust fan so the humidity can escape.
Spraying soap scum spray on a bathroom sink.

Environmental Considerations

Biodegradable Ingredients

I opt for biodegradable, natural ingredients in my cleaning products and DIY recipes that break down naturally. Not only are these ingredients safe for the environment, but they’re also non-toxic and safer for kids and pets.

Eco-Friendly Practices

In addition to using biodegradable ingredients, I also make sure to follow eco-friendly practices when cleaning my bathroom. This includes:

  • Use a reusable cleaning cloth instead of a disposable one.
  • Turning off the water while scrubbing to conserve water.
  • Recycle or reuse any packaging or containers used. 

Overall, I feel it’s super important to be mindful of our cleaning products’ impact on the environment, which is why I love DIY cleaning products so much!

Recipe FAQs

What is soap scum?

Soap scum is a white or gray-colored coating that forms on hard surfaces after soap and hard water mix together. The scum comprises a combination of soap, minerals, and dirt. The culprit of soap scum is soap itself; being made from fats and oils, these are what react with hard water to create soapy mineral deposits that accumulate around sinks, baths, and faucets.

Where can I use this soap scum remover spray?

Use this on any surface with soap buildup. Generally, the bathroom vanities, tubs, and kitchen sinks are the biggest areas for soap scum buildup.
Please note: this recipe should not be used on granite or other natural stones. Use this granite cleaner instead.

More DIY Cleaning Tutorials

If you tried this Soap Scum Remover DIY or any other tutorial on my website, please leave a ๐ŸŒŸ star rating and let me know how it went in the ๐Ÿ“ comments below. Thanks for visiting!

5 from 3 votes

Soap Scum Remover DIY

Prep: 5 minutes
Active: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Yield: 8 ounces
Transform your bathroom with homemade soap scum remover! Explore my easy-to-follow recipe for a natural and effective cleaning solution.
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Ingredients 

  • ยฝ cup (4 ounces) of white vinegar, 5% acidity
  • ยฝ cup (4 ounces) of liquid dish soap, any liquid dish soap will work

Instructions 

  • Combine the white vinegar and liquid dish soap in a mixing bowl.
  • Stir the mixture until well combined.
  • Transfer the soap scum remover into a spray bottle for easy application. (see notes below for application)

Notes

Scroll up to see Step-by-step images.

How to use

  1. Spray the soap scum remover onto the affected surfaces.
  2. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the solution to penetrate and loosen the soap scum.
  3. Use a rag or a gentle scrub brush to scrub away the soap scum. Go carefully on delicate surfaces to avoid scratches.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with water.
Use this on any surface with soap buildup. Generally, the bathroom vanities, tubs, and kitchen sinks are the biggest areas for soap scum buildup. I recommend using it at least once per week.
Please note:ย this recipe should not be used on granite or other natural stones. Use this granite cleaner instead.
Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!
This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, Iโ€™m so glad youโ€™re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

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5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Recipe Rating




5 Comments

  1. Rosalind says:

    5 stars
    Thank you for this easy recipe. For years I have scrubbed my shower until I was tired , using harsh chemicals. I used the soap scum remover and wipe the shower down ONLY without scrubbing
    Thanks for being there
    This was amazing to see

  2. N says:

    5 stars
    This is so incredibly easy and works great!

    1. Laura says:

      So happy you are pleased with it!

  3. Stefany says:

    Can I use Castile soap or should it be a โ€œDawnโ€ type soap?

    1. Laura says:

      Any liquid dish soap will work.