Best Non-Toxic Soap Scum Remover

There’s this utterly gross white film in the corner of our shower glass door that’s become my number 1 house enemy for quite some time. It basically ruins my nice, relaxing shower experience every time I glance at it from the corner of my eye. It’s truly scum….soap scum!

Soap scum is caused by the interaction of soap and hard water. Hard water contains high levels of minerals, such as calcium⁽¹⁾ and magnesium. When soap comes into contact with hard water, the minerals in the water react with the soap to form a film or scum.

While soap scum may not be harmful, it can be unsightly and difficult to remove.  In addition, soap scum can provide a breeding ground for bacteria. That’s why I’m determined to get rid of it. Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of the best soap scum removers to keep your shower clean.

• Sal Suds
• Bon Ami
• Seventh Generation Professional Cleaner
• BioKleen Bac Out Bathroom Cleaner
• Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Lavender Bathroom Cleaner
• Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Surface Scrub

Our Favorite Soap Scum Removers

Sal Suds

This is a concentrated, all-purpose cleaner that can be used for cleaning many different surfaces in your home. It’s biodegradable and non-toxic, making it a great choice for those looking for an environmentally friendly soap scum remover. 

To use, mix one part Sal Suds with four parts water. Apply the solution to the affected area and scrub with a sponge or brush. Rinse with clean water and dry.

Pros: 

• Concentrated formula makes it very effective
• All-purpose cleaner can be used on many different surfaces
• Biodegradable and non-toxic

Cons:

• May be difficult to find in stores
• Can be harsh on some surfaces if not diluted properly

Bon Ami

If you’re looking for an all-purpose cleaner that won’t scratch or damage surfaces, Bon Ami is a good option. This cleaning product has been around for over 130 years and is known for its gentle, non-abrasive formula. It’s safe to use on many different surfaces, including glass, porcelain, and ceramic. 

To use, dampen a sponge with water and add Bon Ami powder. Rub the sponge on the affected area in a circular motion. Rinse with clean water and dry.

Pros:  

• Gentle, non-abrasive formula is safe to use on many different surfaces
• Has been around for over 130 years

Cons: 

• Can be difficult to find in stores
• Not as effective as some other cleaners 

Seventh Generation Professional Cleaner

This is a powerful, plant-based cleaner that can be used on a variety of surfaces. It’s non-toxic and biodegradable, making it a great choice for those looking for an environmentally friendly soap scum remover. 

To use, mix one part Seventh Generation Professional Cleaner with four parts water. Apply the solution to the affected area and scrub with a sponge or brush. Rinse with clean water and dry.

Pros:  

• Non-toxic
• Biodegradable
• Plant-based

Cons: 

• May need to use more than one part cleaner to four parts water, depending on the severity of the soap scum.

BioKleen Bac Out Bathroom Cleaner

This is a powerful, all-natural cleaner that uses enzymes to break down soap scum. It’s non-toxic and biodegradable, making it a great choice for those looking for an environmentally friendly soap scum remover. 

To use, mix one part BioKleen Bac Out Bathroom Cleaner with four parts water. Apply the solution to the affected area and scrub with a sponge or brush. Rinse with clean water and dry.

Pros:   

• Environmentally friendly
• Uses enzymes to break down soap scum

Cons: 

• May require some elbow grease to remove tough soap scum

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Lavender Bathroom Cleaner

Mrs. Meyer’s is a trusted brand known for making high-quality, eco-friendly cleaning products. 

This is a non-toxic, plant-based cleaner that uses essential oils to clean and freshen surfaces. It’s safe to use on many different surfaces, including glass, porcelain, and ceramic. 

Pros:  

• This bathroom cleaner is made with plant-based ingredients and essential oils, so it’s gentle on surfaces and won’t leave behind any harsh chemicals. 
• It has a refreshing lavender scent that will leave your bathroom smelling clean and fresh. 
• This cleaner is very versatile and can be used on many different surfaces, including glass, porcelain, and ceramic. 

Cons: 

• Some users may not like the strong lavender scent of this product. 
• It may not be as effective as some of the harsher, chemical-based cleaners on the market. 

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Surface Scrub

This is a non-toxic, plant-based cleaner that uses baking soda to scrub away stubborn dirt and grime. It’s safe to use on many different surfaces, including glass, porcelain, and ceramic. 

Pros:

• This surface scrub is made with plant-based ingredients and baking soda, so it’s gentle on surfaces but still effective at removing dirt and grime. 
• This cleaner is very versatile and can be used on many different surfaces, including glass, porcelain, and ceramic. 

Cons:

• Some users have reported that this surface scrub is not as effective as other Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products. 
• This product is more expensive than some similar surface scrubs on the market. 

Method Glass and Surface Cleaner

Method is a trusted brand known for making high-quality, eco-friendly cleaning products. This is a non-toxic, plant-based cleaner that uses essential oils to clean and freshen surfaces. It’s safe to use on many different surfaces, including glass, porcelain, and ceramic.  

Pros: 

• This surface cleaner is made with plant-based ingredients and essential oils, so it’s gentle on surfaces but still effective at removing dirt and grime. 
• This cleaner is very versatile and can be used on many different surfaces, including glass, porcelain, and ceramic. 
• This surface cleaner leaves behind a fresh, clean scent.

Cons: 

• Some users have reported that this surface cleaner is not as effective as other Method cleaning products. 
• This product is more expensive than some similar surface cleaners on the market. 

Considerations Before Purchasing Soap Scum Remover

When purchasing soap scum remover, there are a few things you should keep in mind. 

Formula

First, you’ll want to consider the formula of the cleaner. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid cleaners with harsh chemicals. Similarly, if you’re looking for an environmentally friendly option, you’ll want to choose a cleaner that is biodegradable and non-toxic. 

Surfaces

You’ll also want to consider the surfaces you’ll be cleaning. Some cleaners are only suitable for certain surfaces, so you’ll want to make sure the cleaner you choose is safe to use on the surfaces in your home. 

Soap Scum Severity

Finally, you’ll want to consider the severity of the soap scum. If you have a small amount of soap scum, you may be able to get away with using a less powerful cleaner. But if you have a large amount of soap scum, you may need to use a stronger cleaner. 

How to Prevent Soap Scum

There are a few things you can do to prevent soap scum from forming in the first place. 

Keep Shower Dry

First, you can try to keep your shower as dry as possible. After each shower, wipe down the walls and doors to remove any water. You can also install a shower fan to help ventilate the space and prevent moisture from build-up. Learn how to deep clean your shower and bathtub.

Soften Water

Second, you can try to soften your water. Soap scum is more likely to form in hard water because the minerals in the water react with the soap. If you have hard water, you can install a water softener or use distilled water for bathing. 

Trade Bar Soap for Liquid Soap

Third, you can try using liquid soap instead of bar soap. Bar soap is more likely to leave behind a residue that can lead to soap scum. Liquid soap is less likely to cause this problem. 

Don’t let soap scum ruin your day

If you’re looking for the best soap scum remover, test out a few of the options we’ve listed above and see what works best for you. There are many factors to consider before purchasing a soap scum remover, such as whether it is non-toxic or not.