It's not uncommon to find soap scum or dried shampoo stuck to bathroom surfaces, as these products spread and leave marks when we shower. Luckily, you won't have to spend hours trying to clean up the buildup, as there are some easy tricks to remove it.
The magazine "Teach Me Science" recommends using vinegar and a little dish soap to clean soap residue from the bathroom, as the combination of these two substances will be perfect for removing all the accumulated product.
"All you have to do is mix equal parts vinegar and water, add two tablespoons of dish soap, shake well, and spray it all over the door, letting it sit for 15 minutes. After that time, scrub with a sponge (be careful not to scratch the surface) or you can also use a brush. You'll notice the stains will start to disappear. Finally, rinse with warm water to remove all traces of soap from the door, dry it, and you're all set.".
Another ingredient that she suggests using is baking soda, since in addition to being a great stain remover for all types of surfaces, it will allow you to easily remove the dried product.
To do this, she recommends mixing three tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of water in a clean container and stirring well until a paste forms. Apply this paste to the bar of soap and let it sit for about 15 minutes. "After this time, scrub thoroughly with a toothbrush until you notice that the buildup has been completely removed. Rinse with warm water and dry very well to avoid watermarks.".
To prevent soap buildup, it is recommended to:
- Use liquid soap instead of bar soap. It's the talc and fatty acids in bar soap that cause the soap to lather, so if you switch to liquid soap or shower gel, you should see a significant decrease in film residue.
- Keep the shower and bathtub dry. Dry the shower and bathtub with a squeegee and/or towel after each use. "You'll be cleaning off a good portion of the soap scum left behind after bathing, so you won't experience the same level of buildup.".
- Use a daily shower cleaner or invest in an automatic cleaner. If you use one, you'll notice a significant reduction in soap scum and save yourself the tedious task of removing it.
