At MaidPro, we’ve learned the key to removing hard water, soap scum and mildew from showers with as little damage and fatigue as possible is taking the time to properly identify the specific soils and surfaces before just diving in and scrubbing. Different soil types and surfaces require different chemicals and cleaning tools. Most importantly, what works on one soil type can actually make other soils worse, so simply put not all dirty showers are created equal.

FIRST – IDENTIFY WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO CLEAN

• Hard water is usually chalky white deposits of calcium and magnesium on shower glass and tub rings, often in the shape of dried water droplets and drip patterns. Red or green rust stains are also part of the hard water family, as the iron that causes these stains is another chemical that is common in hard water.
• Mildew and Mold are usually slimy on the surface with colorful stains underneath that are typically black, green, or pink and grow where moisture lingers longest in the shower, such as unsealed grout lines that absorb water.
• Soap scum is a crusty waxy film that is made when the chemicals of hard water, calcium and magnesium, mix with soap. The textured nature of the scum also helps trap bacteria, body oils, dead skin cells, and more, giving it a slimier and more 3D feel than just simple hard water deposits.

SELECT THE APPROPRIATE SHOWER CLEANER

• Hard water minerals (calcium, magnesium, and iron) all dissolve in acid. For the safety of the cleaner and the shower surfaces, select the mildest acid possible that still yields quality results. In our experience, Bar Keeper’s Friend, which is powdered Oxalic acid, is very safe and effective and also provides strong yet surface gentle scrubbing power.
• Mildew and Mold need to be whitened with an oxidizer to temporarily remove the stain. Bleach or Hydrogen Peroxide (like Tilex or Lysol Power & Free) are both effective for cleaning shower grout, but short lasting, as mold growing inside infected grout with continue to spread to the surface unless the water source is removed by re-sealing the grout. It is very important not to apply oxidizers like bleach to rust and iron deposits, as they will actually make the rust stains more vibrant and harder to remove.
• Soap scum responds well to acids, just like hard water, but all the other soils trapped in the scum mean you must add detergents and degreasers to break through and lift all the oils and dirt. Cleaning soap scum with just acids like vinegar without adding detergents like dish soap will lead to poor removal and needles elbow grease. We’ve found P&G Pro Line Comet Disinfecting Bathroom is a great soap scum cleaner, as well as an excellent and safe combination of detergents and gentle acids to power through the toughest soap scum.

USE THE 2 STAGE SCRUB PROCESS FOR EFFICIENT CLEANING!

Once the correct product has been selected, the procedures are very similar. Our 2 Stage Scrubbing Process ensures that we are cleaning thoroughly, while also working in a practical and energy saving way.

• First, determine how durable a shower surface you are cleaning. If the shower is a delicate material like marble or travertine, you cannot use acids or abrasive, so specialty products will be required.
• Presuming the surface is durable, apply the correct soap and allow it soak for at least 10 minutes or per manufacturer’s directions. This is critical to making sure the soap has enough time to have desired chemical reaction. Dissolving calcium, whitening mold, and breaking apart soap scum all take several minutes, especially if the soils are thick from neglect.
• After the correct soaking time, select a gentle broad scrubbing tool, like the back of a non-scratch scrub sponge, to quickly rub down the shower walls to loosen and wipe off all the easily removed soils. This is not the step for deep scouring, so use broad, overlapping circles to quickly emulsify soils over a large area.
• After a quick, gentle scrub down, rinse the walls and see what stubborn soils still remain. Apply more cleaning product to those target spots and scrub with a more abrasive tool. We recommend using an iron handle scrub brush or tile and grout detail brush for a great shower tile cleaner. This is the time to also scrub important details like the seams around bathroom fixtures, tub jets, corners, and caulking lines.
• After the second scrub, rinse again and dry the shower tiles with a quality microfiber towel, like the Buff Microfiber Towel. Drying is an especially critical step when fighting hard water and soap scum, as the rinse water provides a new dose of hard water chemicals to re-deposit on the freshly cleaned shower. Drying with microfiber ensures the least residue, which also allows chrome and smooth tiles to shine their brightest.