Best Ways to Clean Scummy Shower Floors

Cleaning bathrooms is always an energy-draining, time-consuming task. After all, a considerable amount of grime can accumulate on various surfaces in the bathroom over a short period of time. The shower floor can be particularly challenging to clean because of its location. A tub-shower may be somewhat easier to clean than a standalone shower stall simply because it is more open and accessible. However, regardless of the type of shower that you need to clean, you will undoubtedly spend time crouching on your hands and knees trying to scrub away soap scum and other buildups.

Each time you use the shower, the filth on the floor will accumulate in greater quantities. This filth is often comprised of soap residue as well as water minerals, body oil, dirt, and more. How can you thoroughly clean the surface until it shines without damaging the surfaces or unnecessarily draining yourself of energy?

• Prepare for the Task in Front of You

Bathrooms are generally among the smaller rooms in a home, and the semi-enclosed area in a shower stall or a bathtub shower is usually not well-ventilated. Whether you plan to clean with bleach and other chemicals or you prefer to use some of the products that are sitting on your pantry shelf, you need to prepare for the task by focusing on ventilation. Turn on the ventilation fan, and open the window if your bathroom has one. Keep the bathroom door open as well. Wear vinyl cleaning gloves and a face mask for additional protection.

• Choose the Right Cleaning Products for the Space

Regardless of the type of shower floor that requires your attention today, you will need to use an abrasive brush, pad, or sponge. For ease, consider using a scrubber with a larger surface area to clean the primary area on the shower floor. Then, use an old toothbrush or other small tools to clean the crevices and corners. There are numerous household cleaning products that are safe for use on most bathtub floor surfaces. If you prefer to make your own cleaner, create a paste using baking soda and water directly on the shower floor. Also, fill a spray bottle with white vinegar. Keep in mind that natural stone floors may require the use of special products. Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations to avoid damage.

• Start Scrubbing the Floor

Even with the right cleaning products, you will need to put in a significant amount of manpower to thoroughly clean a dirty shower floor. If you are using a cleaning product, follow the instructions printed on its label. If you are using baking soda, sprinkle the baking soda thickly over the entire shower floor. Add a small amount of water to create a thick paste. Then, use the scrubber or sponge and the abrasive quality of baking soda to scrub away the grime. Before rinsing away the surface, spray the white vinegar onto the shower floor. You will notice that the combination of ingredients results in bubbling action. Scrub the shower floor once again while the mixture is bubbling. After you rinse away the paste, you can determine if you need to repeat the process to get all of the grime off of the shower floor.

• Focus on Glass Shower Doors

If you have an enclosed shower with glass shower doors, those doors can become caked with soap scum as well. To tackle the soap scum, spray undiluted white vinegar heavily on the glass. Allow the vinegar to break down the soap scum for a few minutes before scrubbing it with a soft, non-abrasive sponge. After you rinse away the vinegar, some soap scum may remain. Repeat the process until your glass is crystal clear.

• Reduce the Buildup of Soap Scum in the Future

The best way to deal with soap scum is to prevent its accumulation on a daily basis. After each shower, wick away moisture from the glass using a squeegee. With a clean towel, wipe down all of the other surfaces. Because mildew is problematic in bathrooms, allow the ventilation fan to run for at least 10 minutes after each shower as well.

• Clean Regularly for the Best Results

When the soap scum is caked thickly on the shower floor and other surfaces, your cleaning task becomes far more challenging. The best way to target soap scum is through regular cleaning efforts. In addition to taking time to wipe down the surfaces after each shower, give the bathroom your full attention on a weekly basis. At Cleanzen, our maids are happy to take this task off of your hands. To learn more about all of our cleaning services, contact our Cleanzen Chicago team today.