Clean Soap Scum And Hard Water Spots On A Glass Shower Door

Cleaning hard water an soap scum

If you have a glass shower door, you probably loved it at first, and then after some time the relationship started to fizzle. They all look great when they’re clean, but over time the spots and white haze start to build, and as with many relationships, once the looks go, the attraction starts to fade. This situation only compounds after you try to clean it for the first time, and despite your sweat and struggle, you’re left with little to show for it. You probably sat there and wondered if there is some sort of concrete mixture flowing along with your water, but there isn’t. All of that build up grime on your glass shower door is mostly soap scum, and the remainder is hard water spots.

Judging from the fact that you’re reading this now, you’ve probably tried several traditional cleaning products that you had at home, and they didn’t work to get the surface clean. You may have even searched around, and tried some of the popular recommendations flooding the Internet as well.

Just like the bottles of stuff at your house that couldn’t handle this job, much of the web wisdom out there may not work as well as you want it to either. Some of the techniques will actually be effective at removing soap scum and hard water build-up, but many will just be a complete waste of time, or simply ineffective for your specific case. It’s pretty amazing to read about people that swear by and recommend things that “work”, but they ignore the high possibility of causing long term damage, or leaving behind sticky residues that cause the surface to get dirty again faster.

If you’re sick of guessing, swearing and dealing with a cloudy glass door, then keep reading for a method that actually works.

What Is Soap Scum?

We have all seen it, and no bathtub or shower is impervious to this menace.

Soap scum is a white or grayish filmy substance that forms on surfaces, particularly in areas where soap and water come into contact. That caked on white or gray build up is more than just dried on soap though, and that’s what makes it so hard to remove.

Soap scum is actually a combination of a hard water stain along with soap, shampoo and body oils mixed together. The calcium and magnesium in your water mixes with the fatty acids in your soap, and when the mixture dries, it gives you that familiar crusty or filmy layer. If you’re lucky, you’ll even have some body oils and mildew thrown into the mix. This powerful combination sticks like glue to tile, fiberglass and marble, but it’s especially noticeable on glass shower doors.

What Is A Hard Water Spot?

Hard water is water that has a high mineral content. When this type of water comes into contact with bathroom surfaces, it can dry in place to become a stubborn stain. Spotting occurs when these minerals are left behind after the water evaporates or dries. These spots are often referred to as lime scale because they will typically form in spots that overlap to form what looks like fish scales or roof shingles. As mentioned above, this framework gives soap residue something extra to stick to, and that only compounds the problem.

Water hardness will depend on your location or supply, and the higher the mineral content, the more difficult your shower door will be to clean. The mineral content in the water will affect your ability to clean shower and tub surfaces, and it will also affect your ability to wash your skin as well. The surfactant property of the soap is destroyed by the excess mineral content, and that causes the scum effect as opposed to the lather or bubble effect. Instead of foaming up on your skin to wash away dirt, soap smears and coats, and it’s difficult to wash off. The same is true for every surface of your shower too.

When water is soft, it will usually rinse free from glass and other surfaces pretty easily, but the harder the water is, the more spots and stains you will experience. Because not everyone can run out and purchase a whole house water softener to counteract this effect, it’s in your best interest to have a cleaning product that can remove soap scum and hard water spots with ease.

Why Shower Doors Are Difficult To Clean

A nice glass door looks way better that a plastic curtain, but that crystal clear look doesn’t last long in most showers. Thanks to the material and location, this bathroom surface is one of the most difficult to keep clean. Regular maintenance is the best way to prevent the job from getting too big, but thorough cleanings will be required periodically to keep any glass shower door free of soap and hard water stains.

  1. Thick Build-up: Over time, the combination of soap, shampoo, body oils, and hard water in your shower will create a thick film if left untreated. The longer you wait, the more layers will form. Over time, these layers of residue can combine to form a stubborn, filmy layer that is really tough to remove.

  2. Humidity and Moisture: Bathrooms are usually very humid environments, especially during and after showers. The thick steam can coat bathroom surfaces, and that extra moisture can cause the soap scum and hard water minerals to bond more tightly to the glass surface, making it more difficult to clean.

  3. Regular Use: Showers get used on a daily basis. Many get used multiple times each day, and this frequent use of the shower can lead to the continuous deposit of soap scum and hard water minerals on the glass doors, making cleaning a recurring and sometimes time-consuming task.

  4. Lack of Ventilation: Inadequate ventilation in bathrooms can exacerbate the buildup of soap scum and hard water stains on glass surfaces. Proper ventilation helps to reduce humidity and moisture, minimizing the formation of these residues.

  5. Incorrect Cleaning Products: Some cleaning products may not be effective against soap scum and hard water stains, and they could potentially damage the glass surface. Using the wrong products might make it more difficult to achieve satisfactory results, and it may actually ruin the glass, or set the stain in place. Make sure to use a compatible cleaner that is proven to work.

  6. The Surface Texture of Glass: Although glass may seem smooth, it actually has microscopic pores and imperfections that can trap and hold onto soap scum and minerals, making them harder to remove during cleaning. Some glass doors are even obviously textured, and not smooth at all. A smooth glass surface will always be easier to clean than one with bumps and texture, and it will also be more resistant to dirt build-up in comparison.

Traditional Cleaning Methods

When cleaning soap scum or hard water stains off your glass shower door for the first time, most of you probably reached for something you already had. This was most likely quickly followed up by a revelation similar to: “that crap doesn’t work” or “what a waste of time”. It’s amazing how many products out there are designed for this specific job, but they are unable to actually do it.

One thing that most shower cleaners have in common is how stinky and dangerous they are, and the other thing they have in common is how ineffective they can be. Toxic fumes and liquids that are so dangerous you’re not supposed to touch them are not required to get this job done, but the light headed feeling may make you forget about finishing, and the blurred vision may trick you into thinking you did a good job.

If you would prefer to skip the high and actually get the door clean, then it’s probably time to stop using the traditional scrub or spray you’re using now, and switch to something better.

Top 6 Ways To Clean Hard Water And Soap Scum

If you’ve been doing your Internet research, then you’re probably familiar with the growing list of smart ideas to tackle this chore. Chances are you also noticed the long lists of conflicting comments that typically follow up these genius level schemes.

One person will claim that it worked perfectly, and directly following that, another one will talk about how it didn’t work at all.

It’s pretty hard to jump right on a method that has one person swearing it’s the best thing on Earth while another person is left scratching their head, and this is probably all due to the fact that none of them actually work that well, but some people just tried harder in certain situations.

If you scrub and scrub, it will not matter what sort of cleaner you use, the scrubbing will work the build up off eventually.

Some of us would prefer to not waste money on products that are futile, and most would prefer to just get to the scrubbing if that is what’s going get the shower clean. Although end results are important, how you get there is as well. As with toxic liquids, intense scrubbing should not be required for something that actually works. The list below includes the most commonly used methods to remove spots on a glass door. Use the detailed info to get to work immediately, or learn about some of the risks and downsides associated with each option.

Once we go over what everyone else IS doing, we will move on to what everyone else SHOULD be doing.

1. Use a Traditional, Store-Bought Shower Cleaner

Scrubbing bubbles, abrasive liquids, smelly sprays, or containers with a fancy picture or mascot on the front are your typical options when browsing the cleaning isle at your local store. These shower-specific cleaners will be effective in some cases, and the main downside would be the ingredients, and the cost. Overall, they offer an easy way to clean hard water and soap scum, but results do seem to vary from one brand to the next, and from one user to the next.

What’s funny is that many of these products are designed for this one job only, but they are also often noted as not actually working to get the job done. Common cleaners like tile cleaners, soft scrubbers, lime eliminators and the like are pretty dangerous, and although some people do have luck with them, others do not.

Lime Away and CLR seem to be top recommendations for this job, while Kaboom and others are pretty commonly referred to as a waste of money. Even when you do hear about one of them working, it does not seem to be unanimous at all. If you want to give one of these products a try, be sure to follow the manufacturer instructions, but the basic steps should be pretty similar.

How To Use It

  1. Prepare the glass surface by getting it wet.
  2. For spray cleaners, lightly coat the surface by spraying on the cleaner.
  3. For thicker cleaners, apply with a scrub brush or sponge as directed.
  4. Use a safe scrubber to work the cleaner into the stain, and the scrub it free.
  5. Rinse thoroughly, and repeat as needed.
  6. For these products, make sure the ingredients are safe for use on all surfaces of your shower, otherwise, just use on the glass door.

The ingredients in most store-bought shower cleaners are pretty harsh, and in many cases they will leave behind a residue or lasting smell after the job is done. The smell will fade over time, but the residue will remain to come in contact with your skin and attract new dirt that’ll stick to it. One thing is for sure. The harsh sprays and expensive cleaners most folks pick up at the store are not effective in every situation, and quite frankly the hazardous ingredients may not be worth the risk.

2. Use a Magic Eraser Sponge

People swear by these things for small jobs, and they do work to scrub away small spots of stain or color, but for a big job like this it seems kind of silly to use one.This tool may be better suited for stubborn spots that other cleaners aren’t working on, but if you’re up for it, you can certainly scrub your whole door clean if you try hard enough.

How They Work

If you are unaware of how a magic sponge works, then you should know that it can be an effective tool for cleaning a wide range of stuff. Made from melamine, it is a unique tool with unique capabilities. Although the little white sponges look smooth to the touch, they are actually abrasive, so they do work for scrubbing, but they also sort of disintegrate as you use them. For this reason, most folks would go through several sponges if trying to clean a whole shower door, and you would still have the rest of your tub to clean after that.

How To Use It

  1. To prepare the door for cleaning, get it wet with warm water.
  2. To prepare your sponge for cleaning, get it wet with warm water.
  3. To clean scrub stained areas thoroughly.
  4. For any greasy build-up, use some dish soap to help loosen it.
  5. Once clean, rinse the glass thoroughly.
  6. For any remaining spots or scum, go over that area again.
  7. For best results, make sure to use a high quality magic sponge.

When recommending these sponges, the addition of dish soap is usually mentioned to cut through any greasy layers. In many cases this technique will work depending upon the amount of staining and the exact type of build up you have, but it will be mostly elbow grease that produces the results for you.

Using several of these small scrub sponges will help you to clean your glass door, but it will definitely take more than one, so it’ll come at a high cost, and for that reason, it may not be the best choice for the full job. As mentioned above, it’s probably smart idea to use a magic sponge in combination with another technique or cleaner, but not as an all-in-one method.

Also, are these things good for use on glass? And where does the sponge go as you clean with it?

3. Use Jet Dry Or Some Other Dishwasher Additive

These little bottles are pretty costly, but they are supposed to eliminate spotting on glasses and other dishes, so the theory is that the same should hold true for your shower door. Many people will have a bottle on-hand, under the kitchen sink, so it can be an easy option to try without going to the store, or waiting for a delivery.

As the story goes, the substance itself should do the work, and foam off the scum and hard water like magic. Although many report good results with Jet Dry as a cleanser, you may not be so lucky in duplicating those results. If it does work, it’s one of the easiest options available, but results will vary with this technique. Even after scrubbing, you may not have a clean surface, and you may have completely wasted your time.

How To Use It:

  1. To try this method, simply wet the area, and then apply Jet Dry directly to the surface.
  2. Use a scrub sponge or brush to work the cleaner in, and ensure all areas are covered.
  3. Allow the cleaner time to sit and work, then rinse it clean with warm water.
  4. The Jet Dry should dissolve the hard water and soap scum build-up to make it easy to remove.

It seems like this stuff is designed to work in conjunction with your dish washing detergent, so using it alone may not be as effective for cleaning. If you go with this option because you have it on hand, that is one thing, but to run out and drop money on some of this is probably not the best idea. Many people out there would concur that this is not the best way to remove soap scum from your shower door, although it is still recommended by some that feel like it is a quick, simple and effective technique.

4. Use a Dryer Sheet

If you search the internet, you’ll find that dryer sheets are recommended for all sorts of stuff, but we wouldn’t even recommend using them for your laundry. Read more on why you should stop using dryer sheets and how toxic fabric softeners are.

Using a dryer sheet to clean your glass shower door is an interesting proposition, but the results seem to vary. If it works for you, it’ll end up being a quick and simple way to get the job done, but if it doesn’t you may just end up causing the build-up to be more difficult to remove. While this technique may be effective on slight build up, it’s not going to do the trick for anything heavy.

Many people have dryer sheets at home already, so if you want to try something right away, this may be a good choice. The convenience factor is the key reason that people recommend this method of cleaning, but you should also consider the high cost, the unneeded waste, and the possible exposure to harsh chemicals. If you do choose to try this out, please make sure to wear gloves as you don’t want to be holding a wet dryer sheet with your bare hand. 

How To Use It

  1. The surface can be wet or dry. Recommendations vary.
  2. The dryer sheet can be wet or dry. Recommendations vary.
  3. To clean, just wipe over the top of the soap scum and hard water stains.
  4. If a dry technique doesn’t work, try it wet. If a wet technique doesn’t work, try it dry.
  5. For safety, wear gloves when handling the dryer sheets.
  6. Remove light build up with a single effort, or try again for tougher stains.

Some folks will say to use them dry, and others will say that wet is the way to go. Either way, a simple wipe is supposed to do the trick. The main reason to avoid this technique would be the toxic nature of the dryer sheets and the inevitable residue you will be laying down as you clean. Also, as with anything that sounds to good to be true, this one just might be.

5. Use Distilled White Vinegar

There are lots of things you can clean with vinegar, and a glass shower door happens to be one of them. This method is useful to mention because most people have some distilled white vinegar at home, and it does actually work with enough effort, and the correct technique.

It will not remove thick layers or scum that seems like cement, but for light lime scale or hard water, vinegar can be effective enough to give it a shot. Because vinegar brands and specific mineral content will vary, so will your results.

How To Use It

  1. To prepare for cleaning, wet the glass surface with warm water.
  2. To try this technique, simply wet a sponge with pure vinegar, and wipe the area all over.
  3. Heating it may make it work better, but be careful with getting it too hot.
  4. Keep applying as it dries because you want the door to soak for at least five minutes to allow the vinegar time to work.
  5. After several minute of effort, the soap scum should begin to break apart and melt away.
  6. Once this happens, take a rinsed sponge and wipe away until it is clean.

When using this method, you’ll get a pretty strong smell, and in most cases it will not go away right as you finish. This may irritate some folks, but you may be more irritated by your dirty shower, so it’s worth a shot if vinegar is the only thing you have to work with.

It may not be the most powerful technique, or the most fool-proof, but you can be pretty sure it will do something if you give it a try. You won’t have to worry about harsh chemicals or toxic fumes, and you’ll be using one of the cheapest options available. It may take a couple applications to get the surface all-the-way clean, but vinegar is a powerful natural cleaner, so it will break down and loosen hard water and soap scum build up.

6. Use Bar Keepers Friend

Bar Keepers Friend is by far the most highly recommended method out there for cleaning a glass shower door, and it is probably due to the fact that with enough effort, it will actually get the surface clean.

That’s great. What’s unfortunte about all of the people that are so happy about the performance of this stuff, is that each and every one of them may be ruining their shower in the process. The initial glee of finding something that can actually clean could quickly turn to dismay due to the cleaner itself, and the method used to apply it.

It sure is nice to find something to remove the soap scum haze, but you should think twice before you purchase a bottle of Bar Keepers Friend for this job. Take a look at the back side of the container because it actually says right on it to NOT use it on glass.

Hmmmm. Why would this be? Oh yeah, because it’s too abrasive, too acidic or too something else for use on glass.

“But the pictures look great, and the lime scale and hard water are gone”.

Of course it is, you just used a highly abrasive cleaner, and applied it with another highly abrasive implement. After scrubbing hard all over with a recommended green scrubby, the surface would have to be “clean”. But it gets worse because there are even comments about how a regular abrasive green scrub pad didn’t work, so they went with something even more harsh, and that did the trick. That’s great, but lets examine the long term effects:

Why To Avoid It

Set aside the fact that you had to scrub like crazy to get this stuff to eliminate all of the soap scum, and focus on the clean glass, but also consider what is happening with repeat applications. The reason why glass is such a good surface for shower doors is due to how nonporous it is. This is also true for tile, fiberglass and just about anything else you will find in the bathroom.

The smoothness of the material is what helps to keep it clean because it prevents dirt from sticking, and it causes water to sheet off so it doesn’t dry to form spots, or absorb to grow mildew. So what happens when you scrape up one of these surfaces in the name of cleanliness? Well, you end up with all kinds of micro-scratches,  and a surface that’ll never be the same.

This damage will not be visible to the naked eye at first, but it will be just enough to hold onto dirt, oil, soap and other stuff, and that will actually cause your shower to get dirty faster. It also helps this same grime to hold on tighter once it’s on there, so when you have to clean it even sooner, it will be more difficult to remove.

Now you’ll be scrubbing harder and longer, and you’ll be doing it more frequently. Because of this,  the damage will become worse over time, and the whole situation will slide down a slippery slope of annoyance and frustration similar to what you experienced before you found “the best cleaner for the job” in the first place.

This method has proven to get the job done in many cases, but you could be risking your expensive glass door in the process. If you do decide to try Bar Keepers Friend to get your shower door clean, you should use extreme caution. Test it in a spot that is less visible before using it on the main area. If you want to avoid the risk, but still remove the grime, it may be in your best interest for the long-term to find something that produces equal results in a safer, and easier-to-use package.

Cleaning soap scum in a shower

An Easy Way To Clean Soap Scum And Hard Water Stains On A Glass Shower Door

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could completely remove soap scum and hard water stains from your shower door and every other surface without scrubbing for hours, breathing harsh fumes, or resorting to some far fetched recommendation?

Well you’re in luck. Scum Off Shower Cleaner is a safe and effective alternative to everything else you have tried. It’s free of harsh chemicals, doesn’t sting your nose, it’s safe to touch with your bare hands, and most importantly, it actually works.

What’s even better than that is that it requires almost no scrubbing to achieve perfection and eliminate all spots and film. Add to that the fact that it’s super concentrated, and therefore, low cost in comparison, and you have a powerful cleaner that’ll get the job done without breaking the bank or causing long term damage and frustration.

This stuff even removes the residues left behind by other cleaners, and will not leave one of it’s own, so unlike the options above, your shower door will come clean easier and stay clean longer.

What Is It?

Scum Off is a shower-specific cleaner from the makers of Quick N Brite. It’s a natural formulation of high quality ingredients that are incredibly gentle and safe for humans, but also amazingly tough on soap scum and hard water.

When you smell it, it has a very mild aroma that is barely there, and never irritating for those with allergies or asthma. When you look at it you’ll notice that it is a gelatinous liquid that has a simple white coloration and a unique, almost snot-like consistency. This stickiness and thickness is due to the concentrated formula, but it also makes it cling to tub walls and shower doors like a champ.

Anyone can finish the job to perfection with this cleaner because it does not require strength or endurance to scrub the area clean, and it’s totally safe for people with sensitive skin, or allergies to more harsh, chemical laden solutions.

How Does It Work?

Unlike most cleaners that you’re familiar with, Scum Off is not a spray and scrub variety cleaner. You’re not supposed to just put it on there and then scrub away with something abrasive until the area is perfectly clear. It works much differently, and by doing so, it’ll actually make your job easier in the process.

The combination of ingredients in Scum Off allow it to break down organic build up and crustiness, and then float it off the surface it was clinging to in order to make it wipe or rinse away with ease. Most tough stains will actually bond with the material they are covering, and you can either work it free mechanically by scrubbing, or by breaking it down naturally to loosen the hold. Either way, once the scum or stain is no longer glued to the glass, that is when you will be able to eliminate it.

With Scum Off, you’ll still take a similar amount of time to complete the job, but the twenty minutes you would normally spend scrubbing and sweating, you can spend doing something else because when you do the job with Scum Off Shower Cleaner, all you need to do is just walk away and wait.

Instructions For Use

  1. To begin, wet the entire surface with warm or hot water. This lubricates the surface, and the added heat will help the cleaner work better.
  2. A non abrasive scrub sponge is included with every container you purchase, and this tool is ideal for application. It’ll be safe on every surface of your tub or shower, but it’ll also give you the perfect amount of scrubbing power to cut the surface tension on the soap scum build up. You want to get the sponge wet before you use it for cleaning, and warm or hot water will always be best.
  3. Squirt full strength cleaner directly onto the glass door, or put it onto the sponge and then apply it that way. Continue to cover the rest of your tile, marble, stone or fiberglass, and you can even use it on the fixtures.
  4. When applying the cleaner, use a circular motion. Work from top to bottom, and side to side to ensure you cover the full surface.
  5. After all surfaces are covered, stop. WALK AWAY FOR 30-60 minutes. This step is key, and necessary for success. You could spend the time scrubbing, but it’s not necessary.
  6. After it has sat, come back with a newly wet sponge and a small amount of cleaner and wipe again in the same way. This will dislodge anything that is still stuck while it washes away most of the grime.
  7. Now rinse the surface with the shower head, clean wet cloth or cup of water to reveal a clean surface.
  8. If you missed a spot, or had some wicked build up, you may need a second application. If so, repeat the steps above.

Once finished, no signs of scum or hard water should remain, and every surface should be squeaky clean and gleaming. No residue will remain, so it’ll stay clean for a longer period of time, and not only will you be getting rid of the soap scum and hard water without scrubbing, you’ll also be eliminating any mildew and other dirt as well. It neutralizes odors, cuts through body oils, and breaks apart crusty or gooey layers in a safe and effective manner that is simple to master.

Guaranteed To Work

Scum Off Shower Cleaner works so well that we are able to recommend it for use by anyone, and we sell every container with a full money back guarantee. Try it because nothing else has worked, or try it because you are looking for something safer and easier to use. Whatever your reason, it is guaranteed to help make it easy to get your white shower door crystal clear again. The soap scum and hard water will slide right off.

cleaning soap scum and hard water stains

Why Does It Work So Well?

It’s hard to believe that you could get a glass shower door so clean without scrubbing your brains out, but it truly is possible. As you let Scum Off sit on top of the grime, it begins to break it apart, wear it down, and loosen it’s bond. This is the same sort of action you get when scrubbing with a brush or abrasive pad, and it is needed to get the yucky stuff off, but it’s way easier when the cleaner does the work for you.

Other toxic sprays try to burn right through soap scum and hard water, or make it more slippery, but this one actually dissolves it naturally. Other ingredients take this process one step further by making the dirt float like a boat once it’s no longer stuck, and has started to break apart. This combination works the spots and stains free as it makes them easier to move. When allowed to work all the way, a tough water spot that would not rub out will now wipe off in a single swipe to leave crystal clear glass underneath.

Because it doesn’t leave a toxic residue once the cleaning is complete, new dirt will not coat your tub or shower as quickly as it used to, and when it does, it won’t build up as fast. This will reduce the frequency that cleaning is required, and it’ll also make each session easier to finish because the grime won’t be so gnarly.

Daily Maintenance Will Save You Work

Quick daily maintenance is the easiest and most effective way to keep your shower door and every other surface clean, and if done regularly, you’ll never see thick build up, and you’ll be able to go long stretches between each cleaning. To keep a shower door spotless day after day, simply wipe it down after each shower. When no water dries in place, no hard water spots will form. This is by far the most simple way to make sure you never have a hazy door, but it can be tough for some people to commit to.

1. Use a Shower Squeegee

A shower squeegee will allow you to quickly eliminate moisture in order to leave a dry door, but a high quality microfiber cloth will do the trick as well. As long as you are leaving no moisture on there to form drops, you will not see any scum building over time. The squeegee has a built in hook so you can hang it over your shower head for convenience, and quickly clear away water before you step out. The flexible blade conforms to the surface and pushes away all residual water to leave glass spot free. Simply hang back up when finished, and it is good to go again no matter how quickly the next bather needs to wash.

2. Use a Microfiber Cloth

A microfiber cleaning cloth works best for large showers, or ones where there is a rack close by. You will want it dry when wiping, so it can not just hang out in the shower at all times. To use one, simply wipe in one continuous motion from top to bottom making sure to cover all surfaces. A good cloth should absorb and eliminate all water spots with a single pass in most cases. Wring out when finished and then hang dry for the next use. It should still work damp for multiple showers, and they dry quickly so it will not stink or grow stuff when left for several days.

3. Use a Microfiber Sponge

Almost like a squeegee and cloth combined, our Super Multi Sponge offers incredible drying power and an advanced surface that will help you remove every spec of grime in a single swipe. The sponge will absorb and remove more moisture than a cloth, and it will clean and shine the surface better than a squeegee. Simply take a dry sponge and wipe the surface dry after you shower, then set on a ledge to dry for later use. When no residues and minerals are allowed to dry in place, you don’t have to worry about the door getting dirty over time. Thanks to the advanced cover, you’ll be able to wipe the surface clean with only water as a detergent, and thanks to the double-thick sponge inside, you’ll be able to soak up every last drop of moisture at the same time.

4. Use a PVA Sponge

More absorbent than any other type of sponge, a PVA Sponge is one of the best tools for drying any surface, but they work great for glass shower doors specifically. When you wipe with one, it acts like a thick squeegee. Just press down and wipe the surface, and as you do the glass will get completely dry. Thanks to the PVA material, you’ll also wipe up any extra dirt or grime you encounter as well, and because it’s so absorbent, you should be able to wipe the whole door without stopping to wring the sponge. When the sponge dries, it dries rock hard, so it’ll be totally resistant to odors or mildew growth, and that makes it a great tool to keep right in your shower for everyday use.

5. Make a Daily Shower Spray

Use Scum Off to make a daily spray for a slightly easier way to accomplish the same task. Because there is spraying involved it’ll be easy to get the kids on board, and because it’s Scum Off you can be confident that it is totally safe for them to handle.

To make it, simply mix 2Tbs into one quart of water and spray down every surface when you’re done with the shower. Instead of drying in place, water will sheet down, and run off to prevent minerals and soap from getting stuck. For best results use directly after showering while the surfaces are still wet.

Scum Off is easily one of the best ways to clean soap scum and hard water spots from your glass shower door, and it’ll make all other areas of your tub sparkle too. It’s easier to get the results you want, and it will take way less effort on your part. It’s also incredibly gentle on your skin and respiratory system, and safe for use around kids.

A Safe and Effective Cleaner

Despite being so safe, Scum Off is also incredibly powerful and effective for this chore. Stop breaking out the gas mask to tackle this job, and don’t spend another weekend swearing at your shower door. Forget about trying fifty different things you have around you house, and settle on one proven product that is simply good. Your shower will be spotless and you’ll be able to move on to the next impossible cleaning chore on your list.

Don’t struggle another minute to get your glass clean. Although it is a tough job, anyone can use the tips and techniques on this page to effectively remove soap scum and hard water stains from a shower door.

Did you try it? If you’ve tried any of the techniques listed, use the comments section to let us know how it went. Good or bad.

Got a better way? If you have a top secret way to remove soap scum or hard water spots that you don’t see listed, please share with the class. We would love to hear about any other tips, tricks, products or techniques that work well for this job.

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  1. Holy clean glass Batman! I was all set to leave a nasty message when this crap didn’t work. Thanks for making me look bad. My shower door is cleaner than ever. Now what the heck am I supposed to complain about?

     
  2. Could I use Scum Off on the outside of my windows? And is it safe to use on the aluminum edges of the window?

     
    • Yes and yes. It is perfect for outside windows and even has instructions for doing it right on the bottle. Also don’t worry about the aluminum because not only is it safe, but it will actually clean it just as well as the glass.

       
  3. Daily maintenance truly does work! However, i can’t do it every single day no matter how much i want to because of work. I use some cleaners though when cleaning. Every weekends i try to find time to scrub the glass shower door.

     
  4. Hard water spots, soap scums, the ones i hate about glass shower doors and removing them can be a daunting task. That’s why it is really important to clean your glass shower doors every single day. The more build of scums and hard water spots, the harder it will be to get rid of them.

     
    • Very true. Less dirt always equates to easier cleaning. Daily maintenance will prevent most build up in the first place, so when it is time to clean, it will take less time and effort to do a good job.

       
    • We’ll leave the psych evaluation to the professionals, but this is not something we hear often. Technique is important with this particular cleaner, and there are some tricks that can improve results in extreme cases. We would love to help you get the results you expected. Please reply here to let us know how you applied it, or give us a quick call to speak with a specialist.

       
  5. In spray bottle of half water and half vniegar, spray liberally all surfaces. You can then use some type of non abrasive scrubber. I like the magic eraser but use whatever you like. You may have to repeat process but it is the safest,inexpensive and earth friendly way to clean just about EVERYTHING!!! I love vniegar because you will not have a residue or streaks on anything you clean. Vinegar is also a natural way to rinse the residue from your hair.

     
    • Thanks for the tip. Vinegar is great, and it’s easily one of the top natural cleaning options out there. Have you ever wondered what happens to those magic sponges as you use them? They’re made from a plastic foam right? And they disintegrate as you clean, so where do all the plastic shards go?

       
  6. I have clear glass shower doors and one wall and hard water and soap scum have built up over 7 years to the point you can’t see the inside.I have tried every cleaner possible in the market and still has made no difference whatsoever.I have watched you tube videos and followed their methods and nothing seems to work.I am about to call a professional cleaner to come and look at it. But I read about Scum off.Do you think this thing will work or I am just wasting my money.Email me please.

     
    • It will definitely work, but don’t expect it to remove 7 years of heavy build up with one magical application. It will take off one layer at a time, so the first time out, you will need to apply it more than once. After it’s totally clean, it will be easy to maintain the look.

       
  7. I just installed a new glass door in my bathroom, however, I want to make sure that I am maintaining its cleanliness, so I appreciate the insight you give. Specifically, you talk about how white vinegar is a useful method of cleaning the hard water stains that often build up on glass doors. I think that this is a practical and useful solution because it’s something that you usually already have in your home, plus, it’s conveniently located at most grocery stores!

     
  8. That’s true that soap scum can be difficult to remove. I had no idea that it was a mixture of hard water stains and soap. No wonder it’s harder to remove. It sounds like hard water is what makes cleaning the shower so hard.

     
  9. I find that after doing all this cleaning that adding a protection treatment to the glass will ensure that it stays clean. This will ensure that you don’t have to deal with soap scum etc again.

     
  10. I really appreciate you going through the list of what I can use to clean my shower. My favorite is using white vinegar. As long as you clean often it works great, but I will have to try some of your other suggestions. However, the best way to get rid of hard water is to not let it get there in the first place. Water softeners and squeegees do wonders for keeping the hard water and soap scum build up to a minimum.

     
  11. As a general contractor for 30+years, i can tell you, this product is junk, and water will work better. Mineral deposits that have been on glass for more than a MONTH, will not come off with a cleaner in a bottle! Replace them and clean them off after your shower.

     
    • Take it from the guy who replaces stuff unnecessarily to make a living, or go with actual results from years of happy customers. You can absolutely remove months or years of build-up from tile, glass, fiberglass and other bathroom surfaces using this product. Of course replacement and daily maintenance will provide a perfect looking surface, but you can also eliminate the grime to rejuvenate the surface. No new doors, and no contractor fees required.

       
  12. Hey you’re right that noone on the internet agrees about which methods to use, but you’re dead wrong about “this is probably all due to the fact that none of them actually work well, but some people just tried harder in certain situations.”
    Most people don’t know that there’s a difference between Stage I Corrosion (a mineral buildup on the glass) and Stage II Corrosion (etching and damage to the glass). I’ve written a blog post about it that gives a very thorough explanation of what it is and how to get rid of it because, like you said, you can’t find this information anywhere on the internet without flitting between like 20 different web forums.

     
  13. over the years I have used a lot of your suggestions, sprays, sponges and the like. About one month ago, I got a hold of a large ugly bath towel that I began using after taking a squeege
    first. I would stand on the bath mat after I dried off. By the time I dried off, place the mat in the tub, squeege the walls, and finish off drying the walls and fixtures with the large towel and finish the remaining parts of the tub. This was forced on me when visiting my brother and wife out of town! I did it and it worked!!!

     
  14. Got a property I’m renovating to flip and sell. Will this work on fiberglass? In addition to soap scum, there scaly black/gray build up flaking from the shower floor. I’d rather not ruin the fiberglass, but nothing dissolve the stuff. I assume it’s hardwater and just dirt.

     
    • I work for a public gym that has fiberglass showrooms stalls and the water spots and scum is impossible to remove. I am going to try this product. Hope it works. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!

       
  15. I tried them all, didn’t work. The water here is terrible. I have replaced my shower doors twice. I even applied polish before using and this water just sticks to everything. I even tried steel wool.

     
  16. I like the tip that you gave to use vinegar to clean your shower doors. My wife and I have been talking about finding shower doors instead of our current ones, and it would be important for us to know that we can take good care of it. If we decide to get new shower doors, I will be sure to use vinegar to clean them.

     
  17. We have a shower with travertine walls and floor. There is a glass door and one glass wall. We have been told not to use any cemicals not even vinegar around this natural stone. Has Scum Off been tested with travertine?

     
  18. I purchased 16 oz of Scum Off Shower Cleaner this January (invoice #227313). I was very excited about trying a product that would clean my glass shower door! Unfortunately, I have cleaned it twice, and while the results are OK, my shower doors still have scum on them. Is there any tricks that I can use to get the glass doors TOTALLY CLEAN? Please advise! Thank you!

     
    • Glad to hear it worked for you. If you email or call to let us know how you applied it specifically, and what type of build-up you have left over, we should be able to guide you in achieving the perfect results you are after.

       
  19. I’m glad you mentioned that we should work from top to bottom when wiping glass showers with a microfiber cloth. My husband and I are planning some home upgrades with his holiday bonus this year, including the installation of stylish frameless glass shower doors. Thanks for teaching me how to easily keep the shower looking good after it’s put in!

     
  20. I have a home cleaning business and hate loath and detest glass showers because most people dont wipe the glass after a shower and after months of being neglected they go ‘oh my’ the glass doesn’t look terrific anymore. I am off to tackle a shower today hence reading this information. I loved reading this information and will try the white vinegar. Thanks for the laugh it has brightened my day

     
  21. Does this have ammonia in it? Will it harm brushed bronze shower enclosure? Will it harm tile or river rock shower walls and floor?
    Thanks!

     
  22. Absolutely did NOT work. Waste of money, time, and effort. AND, I did NOT get a sponge with my purchase!

     
    • It sounds like you ordered the wrong thing, or at the very least, you didn’t order from us. Other cleaners with similar names won’t work the same, and if you buy Scum Off from another place, you’ll have to purchase the sponge separately. For good results, a proper application is required, and that’s why we give you the sponge for free.

      If you let us know more about how you applied it, we can give you some tips on how to improve your results.

      If you just ordered the wrong thing, go here: https://www.simplygoodstuff.com/scum_off.html to get the right stuff, AND a sponge.

       
  23. Hi, The previous owners of our home may have let the water sit in a few areas that settled after the shower tile was laid. When we moved in there were very white areas. I tried the scum off after reading all the reviews and how to’s. And the first pass got off a chuck (literally) of hard water stain after the first application.

    For a week I went in at least 4 different days and would wet a washcloth with hot water, wipe down the area, put scum off directly on the area and use the washcloth to spread it around. I came to a place where after about 8 times of using the product, nothing more is happening. If you have a way for me to send you a photo or two, let me know. Otherwise, help! 🙂 Thanks

     
    • Glad it worked for you. If you still have some staining that remains, you may need something more abrasive than a washcloth. Try a non-abrasive pad, or a scrub brush to help penetrate the cleaner. That should work to remove anything leftover.

       
  24. You made some really good points there. I looked on the web for additional information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.

     

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