The Bathroom Nightmare: Soap Scum and Hard Water

So you love that beautiful glass shower in your master bathroom and you’re gaga for that tile mosaic above your tub/shower combination. But when it comes to beautiful bathroom features, you may be too exhausted trying to keep them clean to really enjoy them. If you’ve spent too much time scrubbing grout or trying (unsuccessfully) to dissolve soap scum and hard water from your glass shower doors, it may be time to find an easier solution. First you need to understand what these nuisances really are.

Soap scum

You can spot soap scum a mile away, but what is it really? Well, not only is it residue from (you guessed it) soap, but most soap scum also contains hard water deposits, shampoo and body wash and even body oils. When these all combine, what you get is a super gross, super sticky layer that’s pretty tough to remove. And, unfortunately, it’s even harder to remove from glass.

Hard water

Hard water, on the other hand, is the deposit of minerals that are left once water dries and evaporates. Depending on where you live (and whether or not you have a water softener), you may have more or fewer minerals in your water than others. These minerals are especially noticeable on glass – and can drive you absolutely insane trying to dissolve!

How to Treat a Bathroom Nightmare

If you’ve tried a dozen a  cleaners only to be frustrated that nothing works, we’ve got a few tips. The following “home remedies” can help you in your journey to a cleaner bathroom:

• Magic Eraser: These inexpensive little sponges can really help wipe discoloration from glass and tile surfaces. Use them after general cleaning to help remove colored deposits.
• White vinegar: It may not smell great, but white vinegar can help dissolve hard water deposits. Combine with equal parts water and spray on glass. Let the solution sit for an hour or so, then scrub away.
• Bar Keeper’s Friend: This all-purpose cleaner really can be a miracle worker in the bathroom. Just make sure you limit it to your non-glass surfaces, as the cleaner can be too abrasive on glass.
• Professional help: When all else fails, call the professionals. Hiring a cleaning service even a few times a year can help you keep “on top” of soap scum and hard water before they become an even bigger (and more daunting) challenge.