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Soap is for cleaning, yet it can also leave behind a grimy residue on your shower, bathtub, counters, and other bathroom surfaces. There are many cleaning products formulated specifically to address soap scum, including products for glass, ceramic, tile, and fiberglass, as well as no-scrub, preventative, and all-natural solutions.
Here are our top picks for the best soap scum removers.
Rejuvenate Soap Scum Remover is an all-star cleaning product. It is a non-toxic product free of bleach and fragrances. Whether you're cleaning your tub, shower, counters, or floors, you'll be left with a streak-free finish every time. This non-abrasive formula works on glass, plastic, ceramic, porcelain, stone, chrome, and stainless steel. Spray it on and wipe away grime and buildup—no scrubbing needed.
Soft Scrub with Bleach Cleanser will only run you a few bucks. This antibacterial formula effectively penetrates soap scum, residue, and grime, leaving a sparkly clean surface. This cleaner removes dirt, mildew, toothpaste, tub rings, and toilet bowl stains in your bathroom. You can also use it in your kitchen sink and stovetop. Leave it on for about three minutes, then gently wipe away to reveal shiny, scum-free surfaces.
The best cleanser for tubs is Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Grime Fighter. This spray foam cleaner removes all soap scum from your bathtub, leaving behind a smooth, clean surface and a pleasant citrus scent.
Hold the can about 8 inches from your tub to coat the entire bathtub; it applies as a foamy, shaving cream consistency. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it away with a clean, damp cloth. Scrubbing Bubbles also works well on showers, sinks, and other bathroom surfaces.
Rain-X Shower Door X-treme Clean is ideal for getting soap scum and hard water stains off the glass, including the most stubborn buildup. After applying it to your shower door or bathroom mirror, rub it in with a circular motion using gentle pressure. Then rinse it off with water or wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
If you're cleaning fiberglass, we recommend Bring It On! Cleaner. This effective solution is formulated with non-toxic oxygen bleach, a safe option in households with kids or pets. If your fiberglass shower doors have hard water spots, residue streaks, or a buildup of soap scum, this cleaner is up for the task.
It can be used on any surface in your bathroom or kitchen, including ceramic, porcelain, chrome, and stainless steel. Apply Bring It On! with a damp sponge or cloth and gently rub in circular motions until the residue is gone. Then rinse or wipe it off with a clean cloth.
Bio-Clean Hard Water Stain Remover is the best cleaner for removing the most stuck-on soap scum off shower walls. As if by magic, the powerful formula makes the grimiest surfaces look new again. It cleans and coats with a protective sealant that keeps your shower walls looking sparkly clean for up to three months. You can also use Bio-Clean on your bathtub, toilet, countertops, and sink.
If you have tiled shower walls, floors, countertops, or backsplash, your best bet for removing soap scum is CLR PRO heavy-duty cleaner. This industrial-strength solution is formulated for commercial use, and you can use it at home when you need serious cleaning power.
CLR PRO works on ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tile surfaces. When soap scum, rust, hard water stains, or lime deposits build-up, spray on the foamy formula in an even coat. Let it sit for a few minutes (or longer for tougher stains), then rinse or wipe it clean to reveal stunning, sparkling tile. Even grout will look like new.
Removing stains is one thing, and preventing them is another. Clean Shower can do both. Whether soap scum has become a problem in your shower walls, door, vinyl curtain, or tub, this effective formula will clean and keep away soap scum and. Spray it on once a day when your shower or bathtub is wet.
The best no-scrub soap scum remover is Kaboom Foam-Tastic. It's a foaming solution formulated with powerful OxiClean. It sprays on blue. The stain-fighting oxygen-based cleaning bubbles go to work. The cleaning foam turns white, indicating it's successfully penetrated through scum, hard water, lime stains, and calcium deposits. Wipe it clean—no elbow grease needed—to reveal an impressively clean surface. It leaves behind an energizing citrus scent and no residue.
If you're partial to all-natural cleaning products, we suggest Pardo Naturals Scrubbing Paste for removing soap scum. Made from baking soda, Castile soap, and essential oils, this earth-sourced solution is gentle for humans and tough on stains. It can be used on sinks, bathtubs, toilets, showers, and tile and comes in five natural scents or an unscented option.
Rejuvenate No Scrub Soap Scum Remover (view on Amazon) is our top overall pick. The safe, no-nonsense formula sprays on and instantly gets rids of residues and grime—no scrubbing necessary. Another scrub-free option requiring no elbow grease is Kaboom Foam-Tastic Bathroom Cleaner with OxiClean (view on Amazon). With its blue foam turning white, this indicator lets you know when it's ready to wipe clean.
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This roundup was written by Theresa Holland, a freelance writer with significant experience researching and reviewing home goods, cleaning supplies, and housewares. You can find more of her work on MyDomaine.