The 7 Best Soap Scum Removers of 2022

Best Overall: Rejuvenate No Scrub Soap Scum Remover

4.8

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For the best clean on tile, showers, tubs, and glass, we recommend Rejuvenate’s soap scum remover. It is an effective formula that breaks up soap scum and hard water deposits without any scrubbing. It is safe for almost all surfaces you can find in your bathroom, including glass, ceramic tile, chrome, plastic, fiberglass, natural stone, and porcelain. We always recommend testing it on an inconspicuous area first, but have used Rejuvenate soap scum remover on a variety of bathroom surfaces without issues.

This formula is made in the United States, which may mean it's easy to find in a variety of online and brick-and-mortar retailers. It is made without chemicals that can be irritating in enclosed areas, such as bathrooms. This also makes it safe for use on delicate surfaces, such as natural stone and grout.

You will need to be able to rinse the cleaner off of your surface after it has done its work. If you have a removable shower head, this is the easiest and fastest way to reveal the soap scum-free surface after it has been cleaned. If not, you may need to use a wet cloth or paper towel. You still shouldn’t need to scrub; just wipe the excess away to get rid of any residue. All you’re left with is a streak-free shine and a sparkling clean bathroom.

Price at time of publish: $10

Best Budget: Soft Scrub With Bleach Cleanser

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It’s hard to beat the affordable price and effectiveness of the Soft Scrub cleanser. It kills 99.9 percent of germs on surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom, according to the brand. This is a slightly stronger cleaning formula that uses bleach, which may not be safe for all surfaces and does require extra precautions. If you have small children or pets, it is best to keep this cleaner locked away and rinse surfaces that they may come in contact with after using it. It is also strong when you apply it. Ventilate your room, use rubber gloves and goggles to keep it from irritating your skin or eyes, and never mix cleaners, especially those containing bleach—doing so is extremely hazardous.

However, this formula is very effective at getting rid of soap scum and hard water stains. To use it, apply the liquid directly to your surface or to a cloth, and then scrub it on. This is a liquid cleaner and might be harder to use on vertical surfaces, such as showers and doors. The flip top can be hard to open and sometimes results in spills, as well. We recommend opening it inside the tub basin to keep from spilling it on other surfaces.

Price at time of publish: $12

Best No-Scrub: Kaboom Shower, Tub & Tile Cleaner with Oxi Clean

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This effective cleaner works on tile, tubs, and showers. It creates tiny bubbles to get rid of stains, grime, and soap scum. This means you don’t have to scrub, because the cleaning solution gets things up on its own. You will need to wipe the excess away. For really tough stains or deposits that have been sitting for a long time, let the formula soak in for a few minutes before wiping it away.

The cleaner is scented and the fresh scent can be quite powerful. It doesn’t use chlorine or bleach to clean, but we still recommend wearing gloves and goggles to protect your skin and eyes from the cleaner. It is also a good idea to vent the room using a window or bathroom fan if possible. It is safe for a variety of surfaces, but you should test it on natural stone before applying it to the entire area. It can cause scratching or discoloration in some cases.

Price at time of publish: $17

Best Eco-Friendly: Method Bathroom Cleaner Tub + Tile Eucalyptus Mint Spray

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This cleaner uses plant-based ingredients that are safer for homes with kids and pets, and are more gentle on your senses. The pleasant fragrance of eucalyptus mint comes from essential oils rather than harsh chemicals. It is non-abrasive and safe for most bathroom surfaces, although we always recommend testing before use. It is not specifically formulated for use on natural stone in particular.

In addition, you may need to do a bit more scrubbing with this gentler formula than some harsher chemical-based cleaners. It does foam up and can lift up a lot of soap scum and grime, if you let it sit for a few minutes before starting to scrub. It is also a little more expensive than some other options, although still an affordable cleaning product that has plenty of applications.

Price at time of publish: $23

Best for Shower Walls: Wet & Forget Shower Weekly Shower Cleaner

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This no-scrub formula is perfect for vertical spaces like shower walls, because it clings to the surface while getting rid of soap scum, grime, oil, and hard water deposits. It can be effective on calcium deposits, but may require some scrubbing, depending on how long they have been on the shower walls. To use, just spray and let it sit for between eight and 12 hours. Rinse the cleaner away, and all of the gross stuff that was built-up on your shower walls goes down the drain with it.

This is safe for many surfaces, including glass, fiberglass, porcelain, and metal. But, it can damage some natural stone, such as marble. Always test it on a small surface, before applying it to your entire shower. Make sure when you test it that you let it set on the surface for a full 12 hours to see if there is any discoloration or scratching. Once you know it is good for your shower, apply it weekly for the best results and minimal in-between cleaning.

Price at time of publish: $20

Best for Tile: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser for Bathroom and Shower

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While this cleaner is designed to be used in a scrubbing motion, it is very effective and offers plenty of control. This can be helpful when cleaning hard-to-reach or uneven surfaces, such as corners and tile surfaces. All you need to do to use it is add water from your bathroom sink or shower. Just a few drops activates the cleaning agents. You can use it on tile, grout, glass shower doors, fiberglass showers, and countertops, without switching between products.

The scrubs are safe for grout and tile, but test it on a small area first to be sure. This is especially important if you are using them on natural stone, such as granite or marble. The Febreze lavender scent can also be overwhelming for those with sensitivities to chemical fragrances. It does dissipate quickly, but you may want to ventilate your room or run the bathroom fan while using the eraser.

Price at time of publish: $14