How to Clean Soap Scum Off Shower Doors Without Leaving a Single Scratch

If you have glass shower doors, you know that soap scum can be a huge eyesore. That filmy white layer that builds up on doors, tiles, and faucets can make your shower look unhygienic—but it's more difficult than it looks to remove, especially without leaving ugly scratches. "The buildup can confuse many people because it looks like dried soap that should dissolve and wash away with warm water," explains cleaning professional Alicia Sokolowski. "However, soap scum is actually calcified soap. It forms when soap mixes with minerals such as calcium and magnesium."

According to Sokolowski, the reaction between the soap and minerals in the water creates a chalky residue that bonds and hardens to bathroom surfaces. But if you think that means hard scrubbing and harsher chemicals, think again: Here's how to easily clean soap scum from shower doors without leaving a scratch.

How to Steam Clean Soap Scum

Similar to soaking pots and pans to remove stubborn residue, cleaning soap scum that's been loosened by a steamy shower can be far easier than when the shower is dry. Also similar to your kitchen-cleaning routine? "Dish soap is used on pots and pans to cut through the toughest grease, and it works wonders on shower glass, too," says Angela Brown, founder of Savvy Cleaner.

Follow these simple steps after each shower to keep your bathing area looking like a luxury spa.

Materials Needed

• Degreasing soap
• Non-abrasive sponge or scrub pad
• Squeegee
• Microfiber cloth
  

Instructions

1. Turn the bathroom fan on for ventilation before taking a shower. “The rule is," says Brown, "if the water goes on, the fan goes on." This will help reduce humidity and mildew, as will opening any windows.
2. After showering, rinse all of the walls, the shower door, and the floor with the shower head and hose.
3. While the shower is still wet and steamy, apply a degreasing dish soap onto a non-scratch scrub sponge.
4. Scrub the shower walls and glass, the corners of the shower doors, and the floor of the shower or tub.
5. Rinse away any suds in the shower and on your sponge.
6. Squeegee the shower walls, glass, and floor, dragging all of the water towards the drain.
7. Use a microfiber cloth to dry the corners of the shower glass doors and wipe down the shower head, hose, faucet handles, and any decorative glass or accents.

You can add these steps to your daily routine to prevent soap scum buildup (or mold growth) that can take serious time to clean. Even simply squeegeeing glass doors after every shower can prevent soap scum from forming, adds Sokolowski.

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How to Use Vinegar to Clean Soap Scum

Sokolowski’s preferred method involves the use of vinegar and a natural bathroom cleaner. Follow these steps to remove stubborn soap scum from your shower doors to make them look like new again. 

Materials Needed

• White vinegar
• Your preferred natural bathroom cleaner
• Non-abrasive sponge or scrub pad
• Squeegee
• Microfiber cloth

Instructions

1. Generously spray white vinegar on shower doors. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes to break down the soap build-up.
2. Spray with a natural bathroom cleaner.
3. Scrub gently and in circular motions with a non-abrasive sponge or scrub pad to prevent scratches.
4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and continue gently scrubbing to remove loosened soap scum and cleaner residue.
5. Squeegee the glass doors to remove excess water.
6. Dry and buff glass doors with a clean microfiber cloth to prevent water spots and streaks.

Wipe down your shower doors weekly with vinegar or a natural cleaner to prevent soap scum from hardening and becoming more difficult to remove.