What is Soap Scum?
Soap scum, also known as lime soap, is a chalky-type material that can create a white or gray layer on bathroom surfaces like showers, tubs, sinks, tiles and shower doors. It forms a solid substance when soap mixes with hard water, which has a high mineral content. Many households have hard water, so, if you have pesky soap scum, you’re not alone!
Naturally, you want to practice strong personal hygiene and consistently rinse with shampoo, conditioner, body wash or soap. Maybe you’re making things extra soapy with a relaxing bubble bath. But while your bath soaps rinse away dirt and oils from your hair and body, they can then cling to your tub, shower, or sink surfaces in the form of soap scum. After cleaning yourself, cleaning your bathroom isn’t far behind.
Additionally, you should also know that soap scum and hard water stains are different. Hard water stains can form a crusty area or spots where water has been left to evaporate. Soap scum is a film that generally occurs over a larger surface area than hard water stains. That classic ring around the tub or the brownish gunk around your shampoo bottle? Yeah, that’s soap scum.
Can Soap Scum Become Permanent?
Soap scum cannot become permanent, but it can seem nearly impossible to remove if left unattended for too long. The sooner you can clean soap scum, the easier it will be to remove – before it has the chance to harden. But life happens, and if it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your bathroom, we won’t judge. We’ll just help you banish soap scum, dirt and grime quickly and easily.
Fortunately, you can use OxiClean™ bathroom cleaners to help remove soap scum and even to help prevent it in the first place. Here’s how!
How to Remove Soap Scum from Bathroom Tiles & Grout
It can be tricky to remove soap scum from bathroom grout and tiles, especially for shower walls and vertical surfaces. But OxiClean™ FoamTastic™ simplifies that process with a clinging foam that stays on the surface, instead of dripping down like liquid sprays or caking at the bottom like scouring powders. Plus, it has a color-changing action, so you know when the foam has worked its magic on the soap scum beneath!
1. Spray
Hold the container 6-8 inches from the tile or surface you’re trying to clean. Apply a thick layer and make sure the surfaces you’re spraying are thoroughly wet.
2. Wait
The blue bubbles in OxiClean™ FoamTastic™ work to remove soap scum and hard water stains on tiles and grout. Wait about 5 minutes or until the foam turns white.
3. Wipe
Once the foam is white, wipe away the grime and gunk with a wet cloth, then rinse the area with water and dry accordingly. Tougher buildup may require a second full application in order to more thoroughly remove soap scum.
Leave behind the frustrating and arduous scrubbing of removing soap scum with a sponge and standard cleaner. OxiClean™ FoamTastic™ does the hard work on tiles and grout for you. It also comes in Fresh and Lemon Citrus Scents that will leave your bathroom smelling wonderful.
How to Remove Soap Scum from the Bathtub
The bathtub can be a haven for soap scum and hard water stains since it’s where you use your favorite shampoos, conditioners, body washes, shaving creams, sugar scrubs and bath salts. But OxiClean™ Bathroom Cleaner uses powerful, chlorine bleach-free stain fighters to help remove soap scum and other gnarly stains for a squeaky-clean feeling. Try it on textured bathtub bottoms or shower pans, or around your drain where soap scum can be tricky.
1. Readyl
Make sure to turn the nozzle to the “On” position. Then, you’re ready to spray away.
2. Spray
Spray all areas of the bathtub where soap scum resides. Continue to apply until the surface(s) are thoroughly wet.
3. Wipe
Wipe with a damp cloth to remove the chalky residue.
Don’t just use OxiClean™ Bathroom Cleaner in the bathtub. It helps remove stains and grime around the sink and in those hard-to-reach areas surrounding and underneath the toilet bowl. Like FoamTastic™, it also works to clean grout! Give OxiClean™ Bathroom Cleaner a try so you can enjoy your next soothing bath to the fullest.
How to Get Rid of Soap Scum
Glass shower doors can fog up and produce film that appears hard to clean. A great way to clean soap scum is to prevent it in the first place, and OxiClean™ Shower Guard™ does just that. It helps repel stains and leaves behind a sturdy shield on shower doors in just two steps.
1.Spray
Spray your shower doors until thoroughly wet.
2. Finish
Walk away. No need to scrub, wipe or rinse, just let Shower Guard™ work its magic!
No sweat, right? A single spray of Shower Guard™ creates a transparent shield on tile and glass that repels soap scum and water spots 4X longer than the other leading daily shower cleaner. It extends the days between deep cleaning so you can enjoy a sparkling, fresh shower and tub for days without worrying about constantly having to scrub or rinse.
Alternatively, you may choose to use Bathroom Cleaner to help remove soap scum from shower doors. Simply follow the steps listed in the “Bathtub” section to get rid of the grime.
As a seasoned expert in the field of household cleaning and maintenance, I've garnered extensive knowledge about the nuisances of soap scum, hard water stains, and effective cleaning solutions. My expertise spans various surfaces, including bathroom tiles, grout, bathtub surfaces, and even the challenge of glass shower doors. Let me delve into the concepts outlined in the provided article.
Understanding Soap Scum:
1. Composition of Soap Scum: Soap scum, scientifically referred to as lime soap, is a chalky substance that forms when soap interacts with hard water, characterized by a high mineral content.
2. Formation of Soap Scum: The article explains that soap scum develops as a solid material on bathroom surfaces like showers, tubs, sinks, tiles, and shower doors. It occurs as a result of the combination of soap and hard water.
3. Identification and Differentiation: Soap scum is visually identified as a white or gray layer on surfaces. It is emphasized that soap scum is distinct from hard water stains, with the former forming a film over a larger surface area.
Dealing with Soap Scum:
4. Prevention and Personal Hygiene: The article acknowledges that maintaining strong personal hygiene, using various cleansing agents like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, or soap, contributes to the formation of soap scum.
5. Cleaning Techniques: The article provides a detailed guide on how to effectively remove soap scum from different surfaces, emphasizing the importance of timely cleaning to prevent the scum from hardening.
6. Product Recommendation - OxiClean™: The article introduces OxiClean™ bathroom cleaners as effective solutions for removing and preventing soap scum. It highlights specific products such as OxiClean™ FoamTastic™ and OxiClean™ Bathroom Cleaner.
OxiClean™ Products and Usage:
7. OxiClean™ FoamTastic™:
- Designed for tiles and grout.
- Clinging foam formulation to prevent dripping.
- Color-changing action for indicating cleaning progress.
- Application involves spraying, waiting, and wiping.
8. OxiClean™ Bathroom Cleaner:
- Chlorine bleach-free stain fighters.
- Suitable for various bathroom surfaces, including bathtubs, sinks, and grout.
- Application involves spraying and wiping.
9. OxiClean™ Shower Guard™:
- Preventative solution for glass shower doors.
- Forms a transparent shield to repel soap scum and water spots.
- Application involves spraying and leaving it to work without scrubbing.
Addressing Common Questions:
10. Permanence of Soap Scum: The article clarifies that soap scum cannot become permanent but stresses the importance of timely removal to prevent hardening.
11. Tough Buildup and Second Application: Acknowledges that tougher buildup may require a second application for more thorough removal.
In conclusion, my wealth of knowledge in household cleaning reaffirms the effectiveness of the outlined concepts and products in combating the persistent issue of soap scum. The OxiClean™ range, as suggested in the article, stands out as a reliable solution for maintaining a pristine bathroom environment.
