How to remove soap scum from clear shower door?

[M]

OK, I've got soap scum built up on my bathroom shower door and in the
future will:

1) Squeegee
2) Try Rain-X for prevention
3) Try gel instead of bar soap

However, the question NOW remains: How do I clean the glass? Ugh!

I've tried a vinegar and water solution, and Bon Ami cleanser. It's
better, but still not clear. I've read that an ammonia solution would
work, but I'm pretty chemically sensitive and hate to use something so
strong and toxic. However, if it's the only way, I'll ventilate and wear
a mask.

Any helpful insight would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to tackle the
job this weekend!

Thanks,
Michelle

[Herself]

Post by M
I've tried a vinegar and water solution, and Bon Ami cleanser. It's
better, but still not clear. I've read that an ammonia solution would
work, but I'm pretty chemically sensitive and hate to use something so
strong and toxic. However, if it's the only way, I'll ventilate and wear
a mask.

Try this...get a towel that you don't care about. Secure it over the
door, so that most of it is hanging on the part you want cleaned. Soak
it with vinegar and water solution (straight vin would be better, if you
can handle that) overnight. Then rinse and squeegee. Then replace
doors with curtain that can be thrown in the wash :-).

Just an idea, I've no clue if it will work. But it makes sense since it
would be how I get lime off the showerhead.

[lauralee]

Post by Herself

Post by M
I've tried a vinegar and water solution, and Bon Ami cleanser. It's
better, but still not clear. I've read that an ammonia solution would
work, but I'm pretty chemically sensitive and hate to use something so
strong and toxic. However, if it's the only way, I'll ventilate and wear
a mask.

Try this...get a towel that you don't care about. Secure it over the
door, so that most of it is hanging on the part you want cleaned. Soak
it with vinegar and water solution (straight vin would be better, if you
can handle that) overnight. Then rinse and squeegee. Then replace
doors with curtain that can be thrown in the wash :-).
Just an idea, I've no clue if it will work. But it makes sense since it
would be how I get lime off the showerhead.

use "Bar Keepers Friend" it's in a container like comet. usually found
on the top shelf at the store . works awsome
it has muratic acid in it so be careful not to leave it on too long or
it will etch the surface.

[Charlie Spitzer]

Post by lauralee

Post by Herself

Post by M
I've tried a vinegar and water solution, and Bon Ami cleanser. It's
better, but still not clear. I've read that an ammonia solution would
work, but I'm pretty chemically sensitive and hate to use something so
strong and toxic. However, if it's the only way, I'll ventilate and wear
a mask.

Try this...get a towel that you don't care about. Secure it over the
door, so that most of it is hanging on the part you want cleaned. Soak
it with vinegar and water solution (straight vin would be better, if you
can handle that) overnight. Then rinse and squeegee. Then replace
doors with curtain that can be thrown in the wash :-).
Just an idea, I've no clue if it will work. But it makes sense since it
would be how I get lime off the showerhead.

use "Bar Keepers Friend" it's in a container like comet. usually found
on the top shelf at the store . works awsome
it has muratic acid in it so be careful not to leave it on too long or
it will etch the surface.

it is oxalic acid, not muratic.

[Sandy Bray]

Will-DoT
Mildew Stain Remover Concentrate
Wipes out mildew and removes soap buildup, lime scale, stubborn dirt and
grease from bathrooms and hard surfaces throughout your home. Use on
bathtubs, showers, sinks, ceramic tile, stainless steel and chrome fixtures,
fiberglass and porcelain surfaces, vinyl mats and shower curtains, concrete
basement walls and floors, garbage cans and diaper pails. This non-abrasive
concentrate cleans to a sparkling shine and leaves a pleasant, fresh
fragrance. One bottle makes five 16-oz. pump spray bottles. Biodegradable
and phosphate free. Contains BITREX--which has such an intensely nasty
taste it is practically impossible for a person or pet to ingest.
22 fl.oz.



Getting Started with Stanley
With Stanley Home Products your financial investment is minimal -- as low as
$10 for a starter kit. There are no hidden costs or inventory to purchase.
All you need is the desire to get going!
www.myshp.com/sbray

Sandy

Post by lauralee

Post by Herself

Post by M
I've tried a vinegar and water solution, and Bon Ami cleanser. It's
better, but still not clear. I've read that an ammonia solution would
work, but I'm pretty chemically sensitive and hate to use something so
strong and toxic. However, if it's the only way, I'll ventilate and wear
a mask.

Try this...get a towel that you don't care about. Secure it over the
door, so that most of it is hanging on the part you want cleaned. Soak
it with vinegar and water solution (straight vin would be better, if you
can handle that) overnight. Then rinse and squeegee. Then replace
doors with curtain that can be thrown in the wash :-).
Just an idea, I've no clue if it will work. But it makes sense since it
would be how I get lime off the showerhead.

use "Bar Keepers Friend" it's in a container like comet. usually found
on the top shelf at the store . works awsome
it has muratic acid in it so be careful not to leave it on too long or
it will etch the surface.

[Wayne Boatwright]

DAMN SPAMMER

Post by Sandy Bray
Will-DoT
Mildew Stain Remover Concentrate
Wipes out mildew and removes soap buildup, lime scale, stubborn dirt
and grease from bathrooms and hard surfaces throughout your home. Use
on bathtubs, showers, sinks, ceramic tile, stainless steel and chrome
fixtures, fiberglass and porcelain surfaces, vinyl mats and shower
curtains, concrete basement walls and floors, garbage cans and diaper
pails. This non-abrasive concentrate cleans to a sparkling shine and
leaves a pleasant, fresh fragrance. One bottle makes five 16-oz. pump
spray bottles. Biodegradable and phosphate free. Contains
BITREX--which has such an intensely nasty taste it is practically
impossible for a person or pet to ingest. 22 fl.oz.
Getting Started with Stanley
With Stanley Home Products your financial investment is minimal -- as
low as $10 for a starter kit. There are no hidden costs or inventory
to purchase. All you need is the desire to get going!
www.myshp.com/sbray
Sandy

Post by lauralee

Post by Herself

Post by M
I've tried a vinegar and water solution, and Bon Ami cleanser.
It's better, but still not clear. I've read that an ammonia
solution would work, but I'm pretty chemically sensitive and hate
to use something so strong and toxic. However, if it's the only
way, I'll ventilate and

wear

Post by lauralee

Post by Herself

Post by M
a mask.

Try this...get a towel that you don't care about. Secure it over
the door, so that most of it is hanging on the part you want
cleaned. Soak it with vinegar and water solution (straight vin
would be better, if you can handle that) overnight. Then rinse and
squeegee. Then replace doors with curtain that can be thrown in
the wash :-).
Just an idea, I've no clue if it will work. But it makes sense
since it would be how I get lime off the showerhead.

use "Bar Keepers Friend" it's in a container like comet. usually
found on the top shelf at the store . works awsome
it has muratic acid in it so be careful not to leave it on too long
or it will etch the surface.

[Jim Kent]

Post by M
Any helpful insight would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to tackle the
job this weekend!

Tackle yourself a bottle of the original (NOT the imitators!) of Clean
Shower. Use it after every shower* for a week or two. Eventually it
will soften the built-up scum so that it can be easily removed with
X-14.

When I first discovered Clean Shower, which I now use religiously, the
scum build-up in my shower was.... embarassing. I couldn't get the
damn stuff out, even with Comet. (I wonder if there's a use for my
soap scum in the space program. Anything that tough ought to be good
for something.) Anyhow, I started with the Clean Shower thinking that
the gunk might come out by itself. It didn't, but when attacked with
the X-14, it practically ran off the surface and down the drain.

* If you take only one shower a week, you might have to wait a few
weeks for the benefits to kick in.

[Sandra Loosemore]

Try the heavy-duty Comet bathroom cleaner -- the squirt stuff in the
plastic bottle. It'll knock you out if you get a good whiff of it,
though, so open the window and try to avoid breathing the spray.

-Sandra

[Lloyd Randall]

Post by M
OK, I've got soap scum built up on my bathroom shower door and in the
1) Squeegee
2) Try Rain-X for prevention
3) Try gel instead of bar soap
However, the question NOW remains: How do I clean the glass? Ugh!
I've tried a vinegar and water solution, and Bon Ami cleanser. It's
better, but still not clear. I've read that an ammonia solution would
work, but I'm pretty chemically sensitive and hate to use something so
strong and toxic. However, if it's the only way, I'll ventilate and wear
a mask.
Any helpful insight would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to tackle the
job this weekend!
Thanks,
Michelle

On fiberglass, I had little luck with Tilex and no luck with vinegar. I
tried several other substances. I didn't dare try scouring powder.

Scrubbing with a paste of baking soda was quick and effective. I've
also tried a paste of baking soda and salt on a cloth. I think it's a
little faster for big surfaces.

[Dorot29701]

You may have soap scum plus hard water deposits. If spray on Comet didn't work
you might want to add Lime Away to the mix. I had several years acumulation of
both soap scum and hard water and finally gave up and bought new shower doors.

Dorothy

[Bill Seurer]

Post by Dorot29701
You may have soap scum plus hard water deposits. If spray on Comet didn't work
you might want to add Lime Away to the mix.

Hopefully you aren't suggesting mixing cleaners together. NEVER MIX
STUFF LIKE THAT! You can cause strange chemical reactions that release
toxic fumes, cause bottles to melt, and who knows what else. No, I'm
not kidding either.

[Bev]

Post by M
OK, I've got soap scum built up on my bathroom shower door and

in the

Post by M
1) Squeegee
2) Try Rain-X for prevention
3) Try gel instead of bar soap
However, the question NOW remains: How do I clean the glass?

Ugh!

Post by M
I've tried a vinegar and water solution, and Bon Ami cleanser.

It's

Post by M
better, but still not clear. I've read that an ammonia solution would
work, but I'm pretty chemically sensitive and hate to use

something so

Post by M
strong and toxic. However, if it's the only way, I'll ventilate and wear
a mask.
Any helpful insight would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to

tackle the

Post by M
job this weekend!
Thanks,
Michelle

Use paper towels and straight vinegar. Wet the towels in vinegar
and lay them against the door - the easiest way to do this seems
to be to tear off a strip of toweling, lay it up against the door
and spray thoroughly with the vinegar until the towel is
saturated and clings to the door. Repeat til the door is
covered. Spray more vinegar every hour or so not allowing the
towels to dry out. After a day of this, the scum should be gone.
Worked for me and the shower door was caked with lime.

An alternative is to use aluminum jelly - like naval jelly but
not as harsh.

Bev C

[t***@sbcglobal.net]

I took my doors off and took 'em to the car wash. Nothing like some
high-pressure soap & water to clean those puppies up in a hurry.
--Tock

[Heather Jones]

Dude! It wasn't me! It was M who wrote:
: OK, I've got soap scum built up on my bathroom shower door and in the
: future will:
: 1) Squeegee
: 2) Try Rain-X for prevention
: 3) Try gel instead of bar soap
: However, the question NOW remains: How do I clean the glass? Ugh!

In my experience, the Tilex Soap Scum stuff actually works. Spray it
on, leave it a little while, then wipe it off.

--heather

[Sara Hawk]

Post by M
OK, I've got soap scum built up on my bathroom shower door and in the
1) Squeegee
2) Try Rain-X for prevention
3) Try gel instead of bar soap
However, the question NOW remains: How do I clean the glass? Ugh!
I've tried a vinegar and water solution, and Bon Ami cleanser. It's
better, but still not clear. I've read that an ammonia solution would
work, but I'm pretty chemically sensitive and hate to use something so
strong and toxic. However, if it's the only way, I'll ventilate and wear
a mask.
Any helpful insight would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to tackle the
job this weekend!
Thanks,
Michelle

There's a little known bathroom cleaner called The Works that is usually
found in Dollar Stores and Wal-Mart here where I live. The cool part is
that it works both on soap scum and hard water stains. I had both in my
shower and I used The Works to effectively eliminate all of it and have that
shiny new shower feeling (at least until the first shower). Before I found
this, I had to use a bathroom cleaner (Lysol in my case, but others worked
too) and a lime remover (Lime-a-Way or CLR). This way I could only use one
cleaning solution and cut my cleaning time (and my exposure to that
cleaners - I always sneeze and itch after cleaning my bathroom). Now, I
think I'm going to use Clean Shower, hopefully put off the shower cleaning
even longer.

Of course, as usual, YMMV.

~sara

[Patscga]

Post by M
I've tried a vinegar and water solution,

Use white vinegar straight from the bottle. Do not dilute. Wash with clear
water, then polish with Windex.
Next time, don't let it get so dirty. Use one of those rubber things you can
buy at any bath or linen store and wipe the doors down every time you shower.
Pat

[Beckett]

Post by M
I've tried a vinegar and water solution,

spent a long time researching this issue! I tried every bathroom
cleaner I could find. The only thing that worked for me was Baking
Soda! It somehow dissolves the gunk on the door. Use it on a sponge
with a little water and then scrub the doors with that. Then rinse it
off with water or vinegar in a spray bottle. For basic maintenance, I
just use vinegar (full strength) and I also squeegee the doors after
showering.

Good Luck!

[TripFarmer]

Grease........elbow type.........works everytime.....:)


Trip


In article <***@mb-m06.aol.com>, ***@aol.com
says...

Post by Patscga

Post by M
I've tried a vinegar and water solution,

Use white vinegar straight from the bottle. Do not dilute. Wash with clear
water, then polish with Windex.
Next time, don't let it get so dirty. Use one of those rubber things you can
buy at any bath or linen store and wipe the doors down every time you shower.
Pat

[FH]

Post by Sara Hawk
There's a little known bathroom cleaner called The Works that is usually
found in Dollar Stores and Wal-Mart here where I live. The cool part is
that it works both on soap scum and hard water stains. I had both in my
shower and I used The Works to effectively eliminate all of it and have that
shiny new shower feeling (at least until the first shower). Before I found
this, I had to use a bathroom cleaner (Lysol in my case, but others worked
too) and a lime remover (Lime-a-Way or CLR). This way I could only use one
cleaning solution and cut my cleaning time (and my exposure to that
cleaners - I always sneeze and itch after cleaning my bathroom). Now, I
think I'm going to use Clean Shower, hopefully put off the shower cleaning
even longer.
Of course, as usual, YMMV.
~sara

Sara;

i bought The Works today and applied it to my water stained shower doors....
i left it on for about 6-7 mins and rinsed it off, i didn't see any
difference personally.... how long did you allow it to set?

[Mitch Skool]

Post by M
OK, I've got soap scum built up on my bathroom shower door and in the
1) Squeegee
2) Try Rain-X for prevention
3) Try gel instead of bar soap
However, the question NOW remains: How do I clean the glass? Ugh!

Go to a hardware or auto store and get an alkaline degreaser. You can
find it in a spray bottle in the cleaners area. Spray it on heavily
and wait 15 minutes. Wash off with a sponge and water and gape in
amazement. After years of
get-naked-scrub-like-a-manic-with-bon-ami-for-30-minutes, this works
brilliantly. It will cut through soap films so thick they're 3-D (or
really, 3-K, i.e. 3 kids, one bathroom, 6 months in a "temporary"
apartment.)

Mitch

[shinypenny]

Post by M
OK, I've got soap scum built up on my bathroom shower door and in the
1) Squeegee
2) Try Rain-X for prevention
3) Try gel instead of bar soap
However, the question NOW remains: How do I clean the glass? Ugh!
I've tried a vinegar and water solution, and Bon Ami cleanser. It's
better, but still not clear. I've read that an ammonia solution would
work, but I'm pretty chemically sensitive and hate to use something so
strong and toxic. However, if it's the only way, I'll ventilate and wear
a mask.
Any helpful insight would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to tackle the
job this weekend!
Thanks,
Michelle

For a tough job, I've had the most success with Tilex. Spray then
leave the room. Come back in a few hours or end of the day and rinse.

But if you're looking for something less harsh, I suggest just using a
little bit of shampoo on one of those plastic scrunchie things they
sell for less than a dollar (you're supposed to use them on your
skin). Try a clarifying shampoo, as they are specially formulated to
rid your hair of all kinds of build-up. I have highlighted blonde hair
that tends to turn greenish if it gets too much chlorine or lime from
the water. Clarifying shampoo or shampoo designed specifically for
blonde, highlighted hair works miracles on hair *and* shower walls.
Also works great for scrubbing down the bathroom walls that tend to
get splattered with hairspray.

I had the worse time trying to get the hairspray off until I put some
logic to it and thought to try a little shampoo! My thought is that
soap scum is not just soap; it's a mixture of soap plus hard-water
deposits, lime, hair gel, mousse, hair spray, dirt, and dead skin
cells. Shampoo gets this stuff out of your hair; logically, it should
also work on your shower stall.

I've found the scrunchie works great because it scours yet doesn't
scratch the finish. I don't have a glass shower door anymore, but this
is what I use weekly to scour out the fiberglass tub, wipe down the
marble walls, and scrub the plastic shower curtain.

Also, if you really don't want to use harsh chemicals, just try being
persistent. Continue to scrub the shower with the shampoo and scrunchy
every day for a couple of weeks, rinse thoroughly, then follow with
the squeegee after you stop the shower. Over time, the soap scum
should eventually disappear, a little each day, just as it slowly
appeared. Then you can switch to daily squeegeeing and weekly scouring
for maintenance.

Good luck!

jen

[Lloyd Randall]

Post by shinypenny
For a tough job, I've had the most success with Tilex. Spray then
leave the room. Come back in a few hours or end of the day and rinse.

For years, that was the best I could do. It was slow, difficult, hard
on my hands, and unpleasant to breathe

Post by shinypenny
I had the worse time trying to get the hairspray off until I put some
logic to it and thought to try a little shampoo! My thought is that
soap scum is not just soap; it's a mixture of soap plus hard-water
deposits, lime, hair gel, mousse, hair spray, dirt, and dead skin
cells. Shampoo gets this stuff out of your hair; logically, it should
also work on your shower stall.

Soft soap is potassium with a fatty acid. Hard soap is sodium with a
fatty acid. Soap scum is *supposed* to be calcium and/or magnesium with
a fatty acid. Calcium and magnesium are in hard water. They can
replace the sodium and potassium in soap, resulting in deposits that
aren't water soluble. (Soap scum is an excellent lubricant for some
applications.)

However, it seems that the same remedy doesn't work for everyone. Like
you, I think not all soap scum is the same. It may be due to
differences among the fatty acids in different soaps and the differences
between calcium and magnesium.

Post by shinypenny
Also, if you really don't want to use harsh chemicals, just try being
persistent. Continue to scrub the shower with the shampoo and scrunchy
every day for a couple of weeks, rinse thoroughly, then follow with
the squeegee after you stop the shower. Over time, the soap scum
should eventually disappear, a little each day, just as it slowly
appeared. Then you can switch to daily squeegeeing and weekly scouring
for maintenance.

Baking soda on a handiwipe is so quick and effective for me that I don't
bother with the job until the walls become discolored. I think maybe it
turns the soap scum back into soap, while the bicarbonate becomes
magnesium bicarbonate and calcium bicarbonate. These substances are
water soluble.

[Lobo]

razor blade

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Delete the obvious to reply to me personally.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Post by Lloyd Randall

Post by shinypenny
For a tough job, I've had the most success with Tilex. Spray then
leave the room. Come back in a few hours or end of the day and rinse.

For years, that was the best I could do. It was slow, difficult, hard
on my hands, and unpleasant to breathe

Post by shinypenny
I had the worse time trying to get the hairspray off until I put some
logic to it and thought to try a little shampoo! My thought is that
soap scum is not just soap; it's a mixture of soap plus hard-water
deposits, lime, hair gel, mousse, hair spray, dirt, and dead skin
cells. Shampoo gets this stuff out of your hair; logically, it should
also work on your shower stall.

Soft soap is potassium with a fatty acid. Hard soap is sodium with a
fatty acid. Soap scum is *supposed* to be calcium and/or magnesium with
a fatty acid. Calcium and magnesium are in hard water. They can
replace the sodium and potassium in soap, resulting in deposits that
aren't water soluble. (Soap scum is an excellent lubricant for some
applications.)
However, it seems that the same remedy doesn't work for everyone. Like
you, I think not all soap scum is the same. It may be due to
differences among the fatty acids in different soaps and the differences
between calcium and magnesium.

Post by shinypenny
Also, if you really don't want to use harsh chemicals, just try being
persistent. Continue to scrub the shower with the shampoo and scrunchy
every day for a couple of weeks, rinse thoroughly, then follow with
the squeegee after you stop the shower. Over time, the soap scum
should eventually disappear, a little each day, just as it slowly
appeared. Then you can switch to daily squeegeeing and weekly scouring
for maintenance.

Baking soda on a handiwipe is so quick and effective for me that I don't
bother with the job until the walls become discolored. I think maybe it
turns the soap scum back into soap, while the bicarbonate becomes
magnesium bicarbonate and calcium bicarbonate. These substances are
water soluble.
--
Best Regards,
Lloyd

[Medusa]

Post by Lobo
razor blade

I had to resort to this in one rental. It did do the trick but slightly
scratched the tile. Sandblasting was my next choice.

[ArleneG]

use an expired credit card. It scrapes off the soap scum but the plastic
doesn't scratch the tile

Post by Medusa

Post by Lobo
razor blade

I had to resort to this in one rental. It did do the trick but slightly
scratched the tile. Sandblasting was my next choice.

[sacquebouche]

Post by ArleneG

Post by Medusa

Post by Lobo
razor blade

I had to resort to this in one rental. It did do the trick but slightly
scratched the tile. Sandblasting was my next choice.

use an expired credit card. It scrapes off the soap scum but the plastic
doesn't scratch the tile

Finally a use for AOL CDs, break in half and scrape with the straight
edge. It will not scratch, works great.

[Jeff Holshouser]

I have the best luck with that new Kaboom cleaner in the purple bottle. You
can buy it at Wal-Mart. Take the doors off their hinge and lay them down in
the tub or outside. Spray heavily and leave for a few minutes. Scrub with
a nylon covered sponge. Rinse well.

Post by sacquebouche

Post by ArleneG

Post by Medusa

Post by Lobo
razor blade

I had to resort to this in one rental. It did do the trick but slightly
scratched the tile. Sandblasting was my next choice.

use an expired credit card. It scrapes off the soap scum but the plastic
doesn't scratch the tile

Finally a use for AOL CDs, break in half and scrape with the straight
edge. It will not scratch, works great.

[Heidi]

I have really good luck w/ a dryer softening sheet and some elbow
grease. I think it was a hint from heloise...or something on those
lines, and let me tell you, it really works!

Good luck,
Heidi

Post by Medusa

Post by Lobo
razor blade

I had to resort to this in one rental. It did do the trick but
slightly scratched the tile. Sandblasting was my next choice.

[www.4naturalcleaning.com]

My best luck with soap scum on a shower door has been straight vinegar and a
semi-abbrasive sponge (kind of like those sponges that are a yellow sponge
on one side and a green scratchy thing on the other, but this one is white
instead of green, and apparantly doesn't scratch surfaces as much.
www.thecleanteam.com sells them pretty cheap. Also saw similar ones in
Wal-Mart that actually had a handle. Spray the vinegar on the door and let
it sit for a while - seems to help loosen the stuff up. You're still going
to have to scrub pretty hard, though.

...razor blades are a great tool for certain things, and thought I've never
needed to resort to them for soap scum, I bet it works great.

Just BE CAREFUL! First thing - make sure the surface you are scraping is
wet (again - try wetting it with vinegar). Second - make sure you use the
blade at a low angle -- almost along the plane of the door. Third - make
sure the blade is sharp. Dull blades don't clean - they scratch.

- Michael
http://www.4naturalcleaning.com

Post by Lobo
razor blade
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Delete the obvious to reply to me personally.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Post by Lloyd Randall

Post by shinypenny
For a tough job, I've had the most success with Tilex. Spray then
leave the room. Come back in a few hours or end of the day and rinse.

For years, that was the best I could do. It was slow, difficult, hard
on my hands, and unpleasant to breathe

Post by shinypenny
I had the worse time trying to get the hairspray off until I put some
logic to it and thought to try a little shampoo! My thought is that
soap scum is not just soap; it's a mixture of soap plus hard-water
deposits, lime, hair gel, mousse, hair spray, dirt, and dead skin
cells. Shampoo gets this stuff out of your hair; logically, it should
also work on your shower stall.

Soft soap is potassium with a fatty acid. Hard soap is sodium with a
fatty acid. Soap scum is *supposed* to be calcium and/or magnesium with
a fatty acid. Calcium and magnesium are in hard water. They can
replace the sodium and potassium in soap, resulting in deposits that
aren't water soluble. (Soap scum is an excellent lubricant for some
applications.)
However, it seems that the same remedy doesn't work for everyone. Like
you, I think not all soap scum is the same. It may be due to
differences among the fatty acids in different soaps and the differences
between calcium and magnesium.

Post by shinypenny
Also, if you really don't want to use harsh chemicals, just try being
persistent. Continue to scrub the shower with the shampoo and scrunchy
every day for a couple of weeks, rinse thoroughly, then follow with
the squeegee after you stop the shower. Over time, the soap scum
should eventually disappear, a little each day, just as it slowly
appeared. Then you can switch to daily squeegeeing and weekly scouring
for maintenance.

Baking soda on a handiwipe is so quick and effective for me that I don't
bother with the job until the walls become discolored. I think maybe it
turns the soap scum back into soap, while the bicarbonate becomes
magnesium bicarbonate and calcium bicarbonate. These substances are
water soluble.
--
Best Regards,
Lloyd

[t***@sbcglobal.net]

I take mine down to the car wash. No muss, no fuss, 75 cents to wash and 75
cents to rinse, does a great job.
-Tock

[suzn]

I have never been able to get my shower doors spotless
since right after we installed them. After a few years I finally gave up.
I still regularily scrub them just to say they are *clean* but for
appearances
I hung a pretty (cloth) shower curtain up in front of the doors to hide
them.
I still have the convienince of shower doors without having to look at the
ugly things.

[Karen Neapolitan]

We just got involved in some new great cleaners that are 100% chemical
free. They work better than most store products and cost the same or less.
Tub & Til and Sol-U-Mel is fantastic on soap scum. They also sell soap that
has no lye in it so this avoids soap scum. The soaps I found a little more
than I like to pay but have since found they last 2-3 times longer than the
coat soap I was using. They call the soap the Gold Bar or Platinum bar and
the smell is great. Got to www.momswin.com/kismet for more info. or to get
information.
Hope it helps.
Bob
--
"Doing what you've always done,
will get you where you've always been."

Karen Neapolitan
MomsWIN
The ULTIMATE Home Based Business
www.momswin.com/kismet
330-726-4505

Post by www.4naturalcleaning.com
My best luck with soap scum on a shower door has been straight vinegar and a
semi-abbrasive sponge (kind of like those sponges that are a yellow sponge
on one side and a green scratchy thing on the other, but this one is white
instead of green, and apparantly doesn't scratch surfaces as much.
www.thecleanteam.com sells them pretty cheap. Also saw similar ones in
Wal-Mart that actually had a handle. Spray the vinegar on the door and let
it sit for a while - seems to help loosen the stuff up. You're still going
to have to scrub pretty hard, though.
...razor blades are a great tool for certain things, and thought I've never
needed to resort to them for soap scum, I bet it works great.
Just BE CAREFUL! First thing - make sure the surface you are scraping is
wet (again - try wetting it with vinegar). Second - make sure you use the
blade at a low angle -- almost along the plane of the door. Third - make
sure the blade is sharp. Dull blades don't clean - they scratch.
- Michael
http://www.4naturalcleaning.com

Post by Lobo
razor blade
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Delete the obvious to reply to me personally.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Post by Lloyd Randall

Post by shinypenny
For a tough job, I've had the most success with Tilex. Spray then
leave the room. Come back in a few hours or end of the day and rinse.

For years, that was the best I could do. It was slow, difficult, hard
on my hands, and unpleasant to breathe

Post by shinypenny
I had the worse time trying to get the hairspray off until I put some
logic to it and thought to try a little shampoo! My thought is that
soap scum is not just soap; it's a mixture of soap plus hard-water
deposits, lime, hair gel, mousse, hair spray, dirt, and dead skin
cells. Shampoo gets this stuff out of your hair; logically, it should
also work on your shower stall.

Soft soap is potassium with a fatty acid. Hard soap is sodium with a
fatty acid. Soap scum is *supposed* to be calcium and/or magnesium with
a fatty acid. Calcium and magnesium are in hard water. They can
replace the sodium and potassium in soap, resulting in deposits that
aren't water soluble. (Soap scum is an excellent lubricant for some
applications.)
However, it seems that the same remedy doesn't work for everyone.

Like

Post by www.4naturalcleaning.com

Post by Lobo

Post by Lloyd Randall
you, I think not all soap scum is the same. It may be due to
differences among the fatty acids in different soaps and the differences
between calcium and magnesium.

Post by shinypenny
Also, if you really don't want to use harsh chemicals, just try being
persistent. Continue to scrub the shower with the shampoo and scrunchy
every day for a couple of weeks, rinse thoroughly, then follow with
the squeegee after you stop the shower. Over time, the soap scum
should eventually disappear, a little each day, just as it slowly
appeared. Then you can switch to daily squeegeeing and weekly scouring
for maintenance.

Baking soda on a handiwipe is so quick and effective for me that I don't
bother with the job until the walls become discolored. I think maybe it
turns the soap scum back into soap, while the bicarbonate becomes
magnesium bicarbonate and calcium bicarbonate. These substances are
water soluble.
--
Best Regards,
Lloyd

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[Patscga]

Post by Karen Neapolitan
We just got involved in some new great cleaners that are 100% chemical
free. They work better than most store products and cost the same or less.

I find that vinegar does a terrific job and it's chemical free and cheap, too.
Pat

[Sandra Loosemore]

Post by Patscga
I find that vinegar does a terrific job and it's chemical free and cheap, too.

"Chemical free"? The only thing "chemical free" is a vaccuum. :-P

Vinegar is dilute acetic acid, BTW.

-Sandra the cynic

[D. Gerasimatos]

Post by Sandra Loosemore

Post by Patscga
I find that vinegar does a terrific job and it's chemical free and cheap, too.

"Chemical free"? The only thing "chemical free" is a vaccuum. :-P
Vinegar is dilute acetic acid, BTW.

This goes under the same file as organic. If it's organic then it must
be good for you! Nevermind that there are plenty of organic poisons. Some
mushrooms, even when grown organically, will kill you.


Chemical-free and organic! :)


Dimitri

[Mary Shafer]

Post by Lloyd Randall
Soft soap is potassium with a fatty acid. Hard soap is sodium with a
fatty acid. Soap scum is *supposed* to be calcium and/or magnesium with
a fatty acid. Calcium and magnesium are in hard water. They can
replace the sodium and potassium in soap, resulting in deposits that
aren't water soluble. (Soap scum is an excellent lubricant for some
applications.)

I have had good luck using Citra-Solv on soap scum that seems
resistant to other remedies. I just spray it on, let it set, and wipe
it off with a sponge with the white 3M scrubber on one side.

[Dreamer]

Use a magic eraser ( I use the cheap dollar store brand) and plain water. Wipe all surfaces of the glass then wipe with a cloth. Spray windex and shine with a paper towel