Soap scum makes every bathroom surface look dull and dingy. This film forms when calcium and magnesium stearates from bath products mix with body soil and minerals in hard water. Although annoying, you can clean soap scum off shower doors, tile, sinks, tubs, and fixtures with some elbow grease and the right tools like Quick 'n Brite's Ultimate Cleaning Starter Kit. Keep reading for tips on how to clean soap scum and prevent buildup.
Dozens of commercial cleaners tackle soap scum in the bathroom, but most are not recommended for natural stone counters and shower enclosures due to abrasiveness, chalky residue, or ineffective removal, especially when dealing with hard water. Choose a natural stone cleaner or use Quick 'n Brite's Ultimate Cleaning Starter Kit and water for these surfaces. Clean the stone often in your bathroom to prevent excessive soap scum buildup.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Nonabrasive sponge or microfiber cloth
- Squeegee
- Small, soft-bristled scrub brush or old toothbrush
- Spray bottle (included in the Kit)
- Microfiber towels (also included)
Materials
- Quick 'n Brite's Ultimate Cleaning Starter Kit
- Table salt
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Paper towels
- Laundry borax
- Plastic food storage bag
- Rubber band
Instructions
How to Clean Soap Scum from Glass Shower Doors
Use Quick 'n Brite's Ultimate Cleaning Starter Kit
- In a spray bottle, mix 1 cup of Quick 'n Brite Liquid Concentrate and 1 cup of water.
- Start at the top of the door and spray liberally.
- Let it work for 20 minutes, then rinse with hot water.
- Use a squeegee or microfiber towel to dry the glass and tiles immediately to prevent water spots.
Add Quick 'n Brite's Original Pink Paste for Tough Soap Scum
- Apply Quick 'n Brite's original pink paste directly to the glass doors.
- Wait 15 minutes, then scrub in small circles with a damp cloth or sponge.
- Rinse with hot water and dry the glass immediately to avoid any residue from hard water.
- For stubborn spots that resist removal, apply more paste and add table salt for extra abrasive action.
Clean the Shower Door Tracks
- Dip a small, soft-bristled brush in Quick 'n Brite's original pink paste and cover the tracks.
- Let it work for 20-30 minutes, then scrub with a damp brush.
- Rinse with hot water and dry the tracks.
Clean Soap Scum From Fiberglass and Ceramic Tile Shower Enclosures
- Apply Quick 'n Brite's original pink paste to the surface with a cloth or sponge.
- Let it work for 15 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft-bristled brush.
- Rinse with hot water and dry with an absorbent towel.
- For hard-to-remove stains on fiberglass, mix 1 cup of laundry borax with 1/4 cup of lemon juice to make a paste. Spread it on the stain, let it work for 15 minutes, then scrub, rinse, and dry well.
Clean Soap Scum From Metal Fixtures
- For chrome, brass, or bronze fixtures, spray with a 50:50 mix of Quick 'n Brite Liquid Concentrate and water. Let it work for 10 minutes, rinse with hot water, and dry.
- For stainless steel, spray with undiluted Quick 'n Brite Liquid Concentrate, wait 10 minutes, rinse, and dry.
- For oil-rubbed brass or bronze, use only water and wipe with a soft cloth.
- For stainless, chrome, brass, or bronze fixtures, fill a plastic food storage bag with Quick 'n Brite Liquid Concentrate (or a 50:50 Quick 'n Brite Liquid Concentrate and water solution). Attach the bag with the showerhead submerged using a rubber band. Allow it to remain in place for one hour. Remove the bag, rinse with hot water, and dry with a towel.
For Fabric or Plastic Shower Curtains
- For fabric curtains, add one cup of Quick 'n Brite Liquid Concentrate to the wash cycle.
- For plastic curtains that can't be machine washed, fill the bathtub or a large sink with equal parts water and Quick 'n Brite Liquid Concentrate. Submerge the curtain and let it soak overnight. Rinse well and rehang to dry.
5 Tips to Prevent Soap Scum From Forming
- Dry bathroom surfaces after every use. A squeegee is perfect for shower walls and doors.
- Switch to liquid soap or gel. Bar soap contains more fatty acids and talc, causing quicker buildup.
- Add a water-softening system to your home. Hard water contains more minerals that bind with soap to create scum.
- Use a daily shower cleaner. A quick spray with a 50:50 mix of water and Quick 'n Brite Liquid Concentrate before drying the shower surfaces will help prevent soap scum from forming.
How to Use the Quick 'n Brite All Purpose Cleaning Starter Kit
Quick 'n Brite Liquid Concentrate
- Mixing Solutions: Use the Super Shot to accurately measure and mix the Light or Heavy Solutions in the refillable RTU bottle. Light cleaning requires 1/4 oz of concentrate, while heavy cleaning needs 1 oz. Fill the rest with water.
- General Surfaces: Clean countertops, appliances, and cabinets by spraying the mixed solution and wiping with the microfiber cloth.
- Windows and Mirrors: Use the Light Solution for a streak-free shine.
Quick 'n Brite Paste
- Tough Stains and Grime: Apply directly to areas like oven interiors, grill racks, or tile grout. Let sit, then scrub with the provided sponge and rinse.
- Scuff Marks: Rub gently on walls, floors, or furniture to remove marks without damaging the surface.
Scrub Sponge
- Bathrooms: Use with either the paste or mixed solution for scrubbing bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers, cutting through soap scum and water spots.
- Kitchen: Clean baked-on food from stove tops and dishes.
Microfiber Cloth
- Dusting: Use dry for dusting surfaces throughout the home.
- Polishing: After cleaning surfaces with the liquid concentrate, use the cloth to dry and polish for a sparkling finish.
Special Considerations
- Always test a small, inconspicuous area first when using on delicate surfaces.
- For best results on tough jobs, allow the paste to sit for several minutes before scrubbing.
- The natural ingredients make it safe for use around children and pets, ensuring your home is not only clean but also free from harsh chemicals.
The Quick 'n Brite All Purpose Cleaning Starter Kit provides an all-in-one solution for maintaining a clean, healthy, and sparkling environment. With its natural formula and versatile components, this kit tackles every cleaning task, delivering exceptional results safely and efficiently.