I just noticed the scum in our porcelain tub has gotten a little out of control with scum (when did that happen?) and I wanted to know a good way to get rid of it without having to buy more cleaning supplies. Here are a few of the best “recipes for success” I found:
Borax
1 cup borax
2 T dishwashing detergent
1-2 cups water
Apply with soft bristle brush
Image from Carla Aston
Baking Soda
1 cup baking soda
1 T dishwashing detergent
1-2 cups water
Apply with soft bristle brush
Vinegar
4 cups white vinegar
4 cups water
1 T dishwashing detergent
Administer using spray bottle
Ammonia
1 cup ammonia
2 cups water
Administer using spray bottle
* Recipes courtesy of www.housecleaningcentral.com
Prevention. Of course, it’s always better to prevent a problem than fix it. Here are some tips on preventing tub scum:
1. Make it more difficult to for scum to stick by applying Gel Gloss or car wax to the tub with a rag.
2. Use a daily automatic cleaner like Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner or use a dry towel to wipe down the tub after each use.
3. Use liquid or gel soap instead of bar soap.
4. Sprinkle Epsom Salts in the water while you’re bathing so the soap will go down the drain with the water.
Image from Home Dit.
I have found a spray bottle of bleach and water does the trick. Spray after showering. No scum ever!
I use the cheapest shampoo I can find, wet the tub with hot water and then with a scrubby side of a sponge, generously pour on the shampoo, and scrub in a circular motion. No strong, harsh, chemicals and fumes, and it cuts all the scum. Then I rinse with hot water… Looks great, smells nice.
Never have scum! Hubby and I just squeegee and wipe dry the walls and walk the towel down the sides and bottom of tub before we step out. Of course you have to have a trained hubby and no children! ha
Yes, we do this now too and it is so much cleaner! We have even trained our 8 year old, so we don’t have scum problems anymore. It really works! Thanks for reading, Nancy:)
i found that Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works well, even the generic ones work. I’ve heard that some people have found that using a steamer on their tubs and shower stalls works well.
That is a great idea! I will have to try that. I love Magic Erasers, but I have never used them on my tub:) Thanks for the tip!
I use bath oil or any oil. Even If you have a fiberglass bath/shower and old scum stains, fill tub with hot or warm water add a1/3 to a half cup of bath oil and wpe the sides down at tub line. Let soak for 5 or 10 minutes and drain it and wipe off effortlessly.
Dawn dish soap on a magic sponge works great!