January 22, 2015
How to Clean a Shower and Keep It That Way + DIY Recipes
One of the top questions I receive has something to do with cleaning a shower, cleaning soap scum, how to keep a shower clean, etc. Showers are tough. If it’s a shower that’s used regularly, it’s damp and has a fair amount of moisture that needs to fully dry on a daily basis. If it isn’t used on a daily or weekly basis it still needs a quick wipe down to keep it clean and dust-free.
I have a pretty simple process that helps me maintain a CLEAN and MILDEW-FREE shower – want to see what I do and what I use? Keep reading!
BEST TIP
Start with a little shower caddy or container that you KEEP IN YOUR SHOWER or bathroom to use on a daily or weekly basis. I use non-toxic cleaners and generally clean the shower while I’m taking a shower. This is the one I use and the one pictured below. (If you have a walk-in shower you will agree that this is the best way to do this or else you’ll end up taking a shower anyway.)
DAILY
- Use a daily shower spray – I have a recipe in my book for a Peppermint Daily Shower Cleaner Spray and Method brand has a Daily Shower Spray that works really well too. Using a daily shower spray will keep soap scum and mildew at bay and make it easier to clean your shower.
- Use a squeegee at the end of your shower to remove excess water and to prevent water spots.
Peppermint Daily Shower Cleaner Spray
1/2 cup vodka
1 cup water
10 drops peppermint essential oil
Mix and store in a spray bottle. Spray shower or tub daily after showering has occurred. No rinse needed.
WEEKLY
- Spray cleaner on walls, tiles, shower surround, faucets, shower head, etc. Let sit for 10-15 minutes. Scrub clean and rinse thoroughly. This is part of my Monday cleaning routine – you can see how I speed clean all the bathrooms in my house here.
- Some people swear by using a combination of equal parts white vinegar and dish soap in a handled sponge dispenser. Try that technique if you’d like and see if that works for you.
- My favorite DIY recipe for bathroom cleaning? Lavender + Lemon Bathroom Disinfecting Spray.
(Pictured: Casabella squeegee and small grout brushes, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, Scotch-Brite Greener Clean Dishwand and Tub Scrubber to keep my shower clean.)
MONTHLY
- Use a scrub (powder or paste) to deep clean your shower. If you have a lot of soap scum, start with SCRUBBING the shower first to get it perfectly clean and then apply the daily and weekly routine. Use a handled scrub brush to effectively clean the grout and tiles.
SHOWER HEAD
- If your shower head isn’t running as strongly as it used to, you can use white vinegar to break down the mineral deposits that have collected over time. All you need is about a cup of white vinegar, a sturdy plastic bag, and a rubber band. Pour about a cup of vinegar into the bag and lift it to the shower head. Make sure that all of the spray holes are covered in the vinegar. Adjust the amount of vinegar if necessary and then secure it to the shower head with the rubber band.
- It’s important to keep the bag on the shower head for at least 3 hours. After several hours or overnight, remove the bag. Not only will the mineral deposits and residue be removed from the exterior, but the interior will be cleaned as well. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry.
MILDEW
- Mold and mildew are not things you want in your bathroom or shower, and they are not things you want to mess around with as they can be dangerous. One way to start fresh is to re-caulk your shower and tub every year or so. It’s a fairly simple process and can be completed with a tube of white silicone caulk specifically designed for bathrooms and kitchens. If there’s more than just a little bit of mold or mildew, call a professional to eradicate the problem first.
- If you have a little mildew in your shower, spray straight hydrogen peroxide on the spot(s). Let sit for up to an hour and rinse. You can put a clean spray nozzle right on top of a hydrogen peroxide bottle – keep the hydrogen peroxide in the brown container it came in. It loses its effectiveness when it comes in contact with light. Hydrogen peroxide will bleach fabric so be careful where and how you spray the solution. Repeat if necessary.
- You can also try using the same process with just straight white vinegar, no rinsing is necessary. If the hydrogen peroxide and vinegar don’t work, you can add a couple drops of tea tree oil (melaleuca) to the hydrogen peroxide using this recipe (from my book, The Organically Clean Home):
Peppermint and Tea Tree Mold and Mildew Remover
1 cup water
1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide
10 drops tea tree essential oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil
Mix and store in a dark container. Spray liberally on mold/mildew, let sit for 1-2 hours, rinse. Repeat if necessary.
FREE PRINTABLE
Want to jot down these cleaning recipes? I have a free printable list for that!
Ginny @ OrganizingHomelife.com Says
Great post, Becky. I love all the options. I’ve tried the vinegar/dish soap and didn’t love it. I’m interested to try your recipe for the daily shower cleaner. Can’t wait to see my hubby’s face when I tell him I need to buy vodka to clean the shower. Lol.
Diane Says
I buy from amazon a 5 litre container of rubbing alcohol to use instead of vodka. Loads cheaper at around £16 ????
Hannah Says
Absolutely. What madness buying vodka for this purpose – would work out to be cheaper buying a ready-made Eco-friendly shower cleaner!
Becky Says
Isopropyl alcohol is far cheaper, and at 70% alcohol will evaporate much more cleanly than vodka, which is only 40% alcohol. Also I’d use distilled water in that recipe to eliminate adding minerals to the solution. I like the idea of adding the peppermint oil – which is a natural inhibitor to mildew and mold. But clove, cinnamon, lemon, rosemary and tea tree oils will also do that – so there is a choice to which scent your bathroom has.
Don’t like scrubbing soap scum from your shower tile? Use non soap body cleanser and a non-shampoo routine for your showering.
Kristen Says
…but what a lovely excuse to by some vodka.. I mean, the recipe doesn’t use a whole bottle, and what are we to do with the rest of it!?!?! 🙂 🙂
Stacy CC Says
Once a month or so I use car wax on the shower walls. Water beads up, rolls down the drain keeping mineral deposits from building up.
Marianne Says
Best thing ever!
sara Says
Speaking of car wax, I use hair cconditionerto wax my car, and it works great! I wonder if it would work in the shower?
Holly Says
I have marble walls andr I have been having trouble finding a product that will work on that. Mr clean erasers don’t work.
Any suggestions that will get soap scum off?
Becky Says
Post authorYou don’t want to use anything acidic (like vinegar) – try my disinfecting cleaner with vodka – that might do the trick!
Meridith Says
Hi! I’ve been cleaning homes for just under 4 years now. I’ve found that for any granite/slate/marble surfaces, using a mixture of water, rubbing alcohol (similar properties as Vodka and cheaper!), and a bit of Ivory dish soap plus essential oils (that aren’t citrus), works pretty darn well. Hope this helps!
Jessica Says
Great post! I’m going to try your recipes!
How do you rinse your shower? Do you keep a cup along with your tools? Another spray bottle? I don’t mind cleaning the shower, it’s the rinsing that gets me. Ugh.
Becky Says
Post authorI use the little tool bucket 🙂
Elizabeth Says
Where can I get that bucket? I like it.
Becky Says
Post authorThe Container Store 🙂
Tara Says
Replace your shower head with a hand held shower head. A must for cleaning showers.
Alison Says
100%- I never put off cleaning my showers when I had a hand-held shower head. Now, neither of my bathrooms have them and it is the #1 reason I do not clean them. I know, awful lol… the one I plan on replacing but the other has a shower head that is directly over the shower so I can’t put one there… the rinsing when I clean just kills me and I agree that is a MUST for ease of cleaning!
Julie Says
I have an enameled cast iron bath tub that has stains from adhesive from an old shower door. We removed the door and have a shower curtain but I just can’t get rid of these stains! Do you have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Becky Says
Post authorElbow grease and a magic eraser are my best suggestions!
xo, Becky
Brooke Says
A pumice stone? Maye
Dave C Says
I would recommend “Goo be gone” it gets rid of the sticky adhesive from stickers etc. May need to do more than 1 time.
Julee Says
Lemon or orange essential oil will get the sticky goo off easily!
Morgan Says
I am sloooowly moving towards all organic cleaners. I have the DW soap and Laundry Soap mastered. Now I’m moving onto the bathrooms. Thanks for the great tips! I love your book!!!
Becky Says
Post authorThank you Morgan!
xo, Becky
Amber Says
I love the method shower cleaner. I love it for my walk in cause you just spray and wipe then you are done. But I do use a stronger cleaner about once a month just to be thorough. 🙂
Suzanne Says
You’ve read my mind. Cleaning our 2 walk-in showers is on my to-do list today. Thanks for the recipes.
Lisa Says
Do you put the Daily spray on first then squeeze it off/dry or the other way around?
Also, I bought your book recently which I LOVE! I am working through some of the recipes and I notice many use peppermint. I am not a huge fan of peppermint, but love spearmint instead. So I was wondering if you could clarify whether peppermint alone served a purpose in any the recipes? Or is there something else than can be substituted? Or maybe peppermint has a different scent than what I am think-I am waiting for my EOs to arrive one of which is peppermint (I broke down and got it too). Thanks Becky!
Becky Says
Post authorThanks Lisa! Spray first and then squeegee. You can easily sub spearmint, eucalyptus, or another citrus EO for the peppermint or leave it out entirely.
Lindsay Says
I too have been wondering about this, so good timing for me. It’s like I just never learned. Trying to decide if my 6 kids would really squeegee the shower when they are done though….I wish they would!!! What kind of scrub/paste do you use as the monthly clean?
I made your peppermint window cleaner spray and LOVED it! It works so well, much better than vinegar and water. Working on getting your book I was so impressed with that recipe. Thank you, I have used your advice a lot!
Becky Says
Post authorThank you Lindsay! I use a homemade paste of baking soda and dish soap/castile soap with a scrub brush.
xo, Becky
Jeanette Says
Do you use the daily shower spray before or after you squeegee?
Becky Says
Post authorBefore 🙂
Michelle Says
What do you use for shower glass?
Becky Says
Post authorThe daily shower spray and squeegee.
xo, Becky
Kimberly Says
Which cleaning recipe would you use on a shower with a glass door that maybe gets used twice a month? Also, since we take take baths instead of showers, what would be the best thing to use to keep the bathtub clean? For the walls around the bathtub/shower, which formula would you use to wipe that down with?
Thanks so much for such an informational blog!
our website Says
I tried baking soda on the chrome bumpers, mirrors and running boards on my pick em up truck. It does the same thing to chrome fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen. as a matter of fact I recently did a face lift in my bathroom. The shower fixtures were so old I couldn’t find one to replace it. I had no choice but to keep the old one. I rubbed some baking soda on the old one and it looks as good as the day it was new. Love vinegar AND baking soda.
Best regards!
St Luke’s Carpet Cleaners Ltd.
Sofia Says
Thanks for the great post! Gonna make a daily shower cleaning a habit! Just ordered your book to my Kindle, it’s the best! Thank you so much for all the great recipes and tips!
Becky Says
Post authorThank you Sofia!
xo
Pat Davis Says
Yea!! Double yea!! I had no idea I could get the book on my Kindle!
Joy Says
What do you recommend when you have build up of calcium, lime and rust.
Becky Says
Post authorYou can soak the spot with a cloth saturated in vinegar for an hour or so and then scrub and rinse!
Stephanie Says
Thank you for these tips! Can you offer advice for the following:
1.glass shower doors with build up scum
2. Limestone, marble and granite showers, tubs, & counters that vodka, peroxide, bleach etc. ruin the finish
Keep cleaning! 😉
Thank you!
Emily S Says
hello! Loving your posts lately as I’ve committed myself to regular cleaning and organizing – a newly crawling baby has put the pressure on! I have a walk in shower w tan tiles. There is a white build up that I’m not sure is soap or calcium deposits, either way it’s been impossible to remove….. Any suggestions??
Thanks!
Vedette Says
Outside of the vinegar, is all of this safe on marble??
YOLLIE Says
Since vinagar & water supposed to be the best glass cleaner for windshields. Would that work well for shower doors?
Becky Says
Post authorYes!
Melanie Says
I used Sol-U-Mel and I am straight up shocked at how much the grout was nasty before we moved in. It’s practically gleaming now.
I picked up your Organically Clean home from Amazon and it’s filled with great recipes, unfortunately they’ll have to wait until I get these all finished!
kai Says
What would work best for lots of mineral build up for glass shower doors?
Becky Says
Post authorHave you tried vinegar? That works really well on mineral build up.
Erica Says
I have bad mineral build up on my shower door. I’ve tried vinegar, CLR and tilex. Still there. Any other suggestions?
Sarah Says
Erica, it might be that your shower door is permanently etched from the scum/mineral build up. 🙁
Miranda Says
Bar keepers friend soft cleanser worked on mine. Could only find it at Bed Bath and Beyond. $3.99. It was AMAZING.
Mrs. A Says
Bar Keepers is great and I found mine at a hardware store.
Murlene Hilbun Says
Amazon sells it, and so does most Walmart’s
Kimberly Says
Which sponge or scrub brush would you use on your shower door and which cleaning recipe would you use on it to keep soap scum and mineral deposits from forming since it isn’t used that often?
Thanks!
Deb Lervaag Says
I love your blog and spent last weekend cleaning, cleaning, cleaning… What do you suggest for heavy iron staining from well water? That is my biggest problem in the shower. Thanks, Deb
Rebecca Heinzeroth Says
Any suggestions for rust stains in tub?
Becky Says
Post authorThe Bon Ami would work great 🙂
Jennifer Says
The track doors on my shower drive me crazy, any suggestions for keeping them clean?
Lynn Says
Try toilet bowl cleaning, leave it on for 5 minutes wipe and rinse.
Alice Says
My new tub is made of acrylic. I don’t think I can use anything on it that scrubs. Do you have suggestions?
Becky Says
Post authorA soft cleanser would work or a spray 🙂
Aimee Kieszkowski Says
Where do you purchase your spray bottles with the tags on them? I’m new to your blog and working slowly to new ways!!! Will purchase your book, too!
Aimee
Becky Says
Post authorThanks Aimee!
The spray bottles are from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Rail19-Glass-Cleaner-Bottle-Nozzle/dp/B00DGI2ZOC/ref=as_sl_pc_wdgt_ex?&linkCode=wey&tag=clemam06-20
and the tags are from Staples:
http://www.staples.com/Martha-Stewart-Home-Office-with-Avery-Small-ElastiNote-Tags-Blue-Flourish-1-1-8-x-3-21-32-/product_368021
Mary J Paitsel Says
A solution for shower doors and windows that have calcified water spots. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle liberally with salt. Scour the glass with the lemon. Rinse and polish. Repeat as needed/
Becky Says
Post authorGreat tip!
Kelli Says
What kind of vodka to you use?
Becky Says
Post authorWhatever I have on hand – cheapest you can find is fine!
Melissa Says
I love a clean shower, but that’s a waste of some perfectly good vodka 😉
Becky Says
Post author🙂
Jennifer Says
Some great tips I’m looking forward to trying….but find it a bit odd that someone writing a book about Organic cleaning uses a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Aren’t those things supposed to be incredibly toxic?
Becky Says
Post authorHi Jennifer!
There was a rumor going around a couple years ago with the ingredient list and some misconception surrounding the chemical compound/makeup of the Magic Eraser. There is NOT formaldehyde in them, but the chemical compound formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer is in them – this is not the same compound but it’s where there’s been confusion. I look to Environmental Working Group for their grades regarding toxic ingredients in cleaners and they grade the plain Magic Eraser as a “B”. The National Institutes of Health also rate it is non-toxic. Now, it’s not biodegradable which makes it not necessarily eco-friendly, but I am okay with using them because they work amazingly well on really tough spots that natural cleaners might struggle with. I don’t use them daily or weekly, it’s as needed.
Some things to keep in mind: don’t let kids use or play with them because the melamine foam can cause skin burns if you rub it on your skin, keep them away from pets (as you would any foam object), and rinse the surface completely after scrubbing.
I hope this helps!
Jane Fox Says
I really like your idea of keeping a caddy in the shower itself. It’s really easy for me to procrastinate cleaning my glass doors, but I feel like I wouldn’t have an excuse if I had everything that accessible. I’m a little intimidated by the toothbrush you show in your caddy–do you have to get that involved and intense every time you clean?
Christina Says
Hi, before I used to use chemicals in my house, but now I’ve started to use enjo (just fibre and water). This has has halved the cleaning time I used to do alone but not enough. I still take an hour to do each bathroom alone; we have family bathroom, ensuite and downstairs cloakroom.
I came across your site after posting a help advice post on local Facebook group. A lady suggested your site which I am so glad she did as your site is so informative. I’m trying to find ways of speeding up my cleaning routine especially as for some reason it takes me at least 5 hrs to do a few rooms in a small 3-bed house of all things!
One thing I’ve noticed when I clean the bathrooms, in particular the ensuite is that whilst cleaning I’m getting never ending amounts of what I think is called dust. No matter how many times I go over the same areas, seconds later dust? resurfaces. I end up going over same areas spending at least 30 mins on these troublesome dust zones at least. I’ve switched the toilet paper to quilted and finding that this has made bathroom a little less dusty.
I’ve been finding I clean the bathrooms on a daily basis. Shower, toilets and sinks get done on a daily basis as these are used daily, and the bathroom gets done st least once a week or after usage. I have a 19-month old toddler and a baby on way so looking for any advice or tips on how I can get a proper clean done but in less time so I can spend time doing the more important things, looking after and playing with the kids as well as my hobbies arts and crafts.
Do you have any tips on how once a bathroom has been cleaned to stop dust re-surfacing seconds later. Also we have tempered glass shower doors and there seems to be a build up of a film from a chemical product I used to use on shower on a daily basis. The spot dry marks are really stubborn to get off. I’ve tried loads of things but nothing seems to shift them.Any tips on what I could use? Thanks in advance.
Becky Says
Post authorTry this post to help with cleaning stubborn stains in the bathroom: http://www.cleanmama.net/2015/02/the-best-ways-to-eliminate-residue-stains-and-gunk-in-the-bathroom.html
Hope that helps!
Jane Davis Says
I don’t have tile in my shower. Can I use your shower cleaning solution on the vinyl shower surround?
Becky Says
Post authorAbsolutely!
Jane Davis Says
Thanks so much. Can you use rubbing alcohol in place of the Vodka or does it not do the same job?
Lisette Says
I just bought your book after moving into a house with a wonderful roomy shower that unfortunately gets mildew! Yuck! I tried your peppermint and tea tree oil mildew remover and let it sit for two hours after really spraying it on. Although the mildew did not disappear with just a rinse, It did remove quite easily with a grout/bathroom brush. I loved the peppermint scent and now I am off to make the mildew preventer. Thank you for this recipe.
Emily Says
Is the peppermint oil for cleaning purposes or just for scent? I have a little kitty who likes to play in the shower and I know that essential oils are usually not safe for use around cats.
Becky Says
Post authorIn this case and with the small amount it is primarily for scent -feel free to leave it out 🙂
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Karen Says
Is the bathroom in the header picture of the blog post your personal bathroom? It is gorgeous, and I LOVE how fantastically clean it looks, that’s what drew me here in the first place! So, my actual question is–if that is your bathroom, is the tile not marble? It looks very similar to marble (which may be the genius of it), and you recommended your Lavender + Lemon Disinfecting spray which has vinegar in it. Just wondering, as we are wanting to re-do our master bath with some marble tiling. Thank you!
b r Says
Post authorThe bathroom isn’t mine but it’s GORGEOUS! No vinegar on marble, correct 🙂
debbie Phillips Says
Does the daily peppermint shower spray get mixed with water or just use as is?
b r Says
Post authoras-is
Whimsy Says
Hi Cleanmama! Please, can you assist? Do we first spray on the daily shower spray and then use the squeegee? Or first, use the squeegee to remove excess water and then spray? I am a bit confused. :/
b r Says
Post authorI’ve done it both ways with the same result. My favorite is to spray and then squeegee 🙂
Sherry Says
Does using vinegar or lemon oil break down grout sealant more quickly in the shower? What is your experience?
b r Says
Post authorNot that I’ve seen!
Little Miss Housekeeper Says
The top shelf of my shower caddy is for my cleaning supplies. Spray cleaner, scrub brush, scouring pad, squeegee, microfiber cloth. Usually on Monday, I get up a few minutes early and give the shower walls and doors a good scrub while I shower. Then I go about getting ready for my day. Then I tackle the rest of the Monday, bathroom cleaning chores. Since we have 1 bathroom for 4 people, I will usually do a mid week wipe down to freshen it up. It saves me from having to scrub to hard on Monday. Becky’s daily chores has mad such a difference. I feel accomplished each morning, taking 15-20 minutes to clean. Its a great start to my day. I am so glad I found Clean Mama!
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Melissa Says
Are your shower cleaners safe on granite and stone tiles?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorYes!
Sabrina Says
Hi! I had a question on the monthly routine— You mention using a scrub or paste. What kind of scrub/paste do you use/would recommend?
Thanks!
Clean Mama Says
Post authorThis is what I make and use:
https://cleanmama.com/nightly-sink-scrub-bathroom-scrub/
Judy Says
What spray do you use on your tile shower walls on a weekly basis? Do you ever use anything else on walls beside the spray? What is in the spray for tile shower walls?
Do you use daily shower spray, with vodka on the walls as well as glass shower doors? Do you use sweegie after you apply the daily shower spray mentioned above?
Thanks