Getting Rid of Tough Soap Scum for Good

In the battle to keep your bathroom spotless, soap scum can be a hefty opponent. If getting rid of the grime that so easily accumulates on the shower and tub in a busy household leaves you with a sore arms from the scrubbing and scouring, a headache from the fumes of the abrasive chemicals needed to help, and for all of your hard work, the promise that by next weekend you'll have to do it all over again? Read on—there is hope.

Unfortunately, the only way to remove stubborn soap scum that has built up over time is with good old fashioned elbow grease. But here are two quick and easy scum-busting solutions (you probably already have in your house somewhere) to help get the job done.

Ammonia

The most basic of all cleaning solutions, ammonia is a great scum remover because it dissolves the grease that makes up the majority of soap scum. Because of its concentration and strength, be sure you wear gloves, be careful not to get the solution in or near your eyes. Also, be sure to properly ventilate the room whenever cleaning with an ammonia-based solvent.

• In a spray bottle, mix one part of ammonia to two parts of water.

• Thoroughly mist the scummy areas of your tub and shower. You will begin to see the hard, concrete like scum slowly soften and break apart.

• Once you see it breaking apart, wipe the scum off with a rag or towel, and rinse thoroughly.

Vinegar

Vinegar is a great alternative to ammonia, with similar scum removal capabilities, but much less abrasive and it is usually found in most kitchen cupboards.

• Measure out two cups of vinegar and then microwave it until it is warm.

• Pour your warm vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the areas built up with soap scum.

• Let the solution stand for two minutes, to start breaking down the soap scum.

You can begin wiping the scum off a few minutes later using a dry towel or rag.

**Tip: Try substituting your regular dry towel or rag with a dryer sheet, which has its own scum removing properties.

*As always with cleaning, prevention is the best defense. With a little regular maintenance, you can help make this chore a little less daunting. Try to keep soap scum from building up in the first place by following these simple tips and techniques.

• Once your soap scum is gone and your tub and shower are clean, apply a thin layer of car wax or lemon based furniture polish to repel water and scum and protect your tiles from settling soap scum. This will also help gives your tiles a nice shine and a fresh scent. Do this about once every six month.

• After every shower, take the time to wipe the soap residue off your tub and shower walls. You should also consider using any of the after-shower cleaning agents on the market today, which are gentle enough to be left on your tub and shower surfaces between showers without requiring rinsing or causing damage.

• Trade in your standard bar soaps for liquid or gel body washes. These synthetic soaps don't create soap scum like true soaps do.

Sources
www.ehow.com
www.howtogetridofstuff.com