The Spruce / David Hattan
Even the most beautifully-designed and otherwise-tidy bathrooms can lose their shine when soap scum is visible. The chalky, white layer is a combination of leftover soap and minerals from water, and it is typically found in sinks, showers, and tubs.
Fortunately, soap scum removers can be easy to apply, cut through the buildup of soap and hard water deposits, and even leave a fresh scent behind. We've tried them out in our own bathrooms, and surveyed nearly 150 people who’ve had the misfortune of dealing with soap scum in their own lives, to find the most efficient and effective options.
Sprays tend to be the easiest to apply and can be used all around the bathroom, including on your sink and fixtures. We also like physical scrubbers, like Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser, but those take more time and effort to use. However, they can be more versatile—you can often use them on all kinds of stains and surfaces throughout your home. They also don't usually have fragrances added, making them a good pick for people who are sensitive to strong scents.
Strong, chemical-based cleaners tend to work quickest and be the most effective on any tough stains and soap scum buildup, which often means less scrubbing for you. The downside is that they are not safe for all surfaces, and they may require protective gear (like rubber gloves and goggles), along with adequate ventilation.
Our picks include easy and impressive cleaning solutions designed with soap scum in mind, and a few other favorites that aren’t specifically formulated for soap scum, but are still great at tackling it, judging by our own shiny sinks. Some of these may surprise you (turns out, pumice stones aren’t just for toes!), but we drew on our own experience and expertise to give you the right set of options.
Editor's Note: This story was revised in July 2024 with updated buying considerations.
Best Overall
Scrub Free Total Bathroom Cleaner Plus OxiClean
Effective on soap scum and grime across different surfaces
Formulated with foaming OxiClean
Lemon scent may not be for everyone
For the best clean on tile, showers, tubs, and glass, we recommend Scrub Free Soap Scum Remover. It’s an effective, foaming formula that breaks up soap scum and hard water deposits with minimal effort, checking all of our boxes for a bathroom cleaner.
Among our survey respondents, it earned lots of praise for how easy it is to use and for its stellar performance across all kinds of bathroom surfaces. The spray is fast-acting—you only have to let it sit for a minute or two. It also contains foaming OxiClean, so you’ll see some bubbling as it cleans—which is always satisfying.
Just be careful to avoid direct contact with your skin or eyes, as this cleaner (like many) does contain potential irritants. Wearing protective gloves, clothing, and eyewear you can wash later is key, as well as following the product’s instructions down to the letter.
Ultimately, you shouldn't need to scrub much to see sparkling results; wipe the excess away after the allotted time to get rid of any residue. All you’re left with is a streak-free shine. As with many scented picks, the lemony fragrance of this cleaner was a bit polarizing among our survey respondents. Some described it as clean, while others said they wish the product was unscented. We would love to see an unscented option for those who are sensitive to strong fragrances.
Type: Spray | Safe for Use On: Glass, ceramic, plastic, fiberglass, tile, and vinyl | Scent: Lemon
Best Disinfectant
Tilex Soap Scum Remover & Disinfectant
Can remove hard water stains
Can be used to clean, disinfect, and inhibit mold growth
Minimal scrubbing required
Powerful formula requires extra caution and has a strong smell
Needs to sit on harder stains; users may need to scrub
Tilex Soap Scum Remover promises to not only tackle soap scum, but to also disinfect and kill 99.9 percent of germs, and hinder mold and mildew growth, too. In other words, if you want to clean what you can and can’t see, it’s up to the task. The spray bottle is a cinch to use and you can apply the product straight to a surface in seconds. Depending on the severity of your stain, you can wipe or spray it as soon as it penetrates the grime—or let it set for a few minutes so it can turn into a foam, or up to 10 minutes for its disinfecting properties to kick in.
This is a stronger formula than some of our other picks. It has ammonium chloride, which should always be used carefully and with extra attention to instructions. If you have small children or pets, definitely keep it out of reach and locked away—as you would with other cleaners. You should also ventilate your space, use rubber gloves and goggles to keep it from irritating your skin or eyes, and never mix it with other cleaners, especially those containing bleach—doing so is very hazardous.
Still with us after those important disclaimers? Good, because when used correctly this formula is effective at getting rid of soap scum and hard water stains, which many of our survey respondents attested to. Some did note that it needs to sit on surfaces to really be effective, and that scrubbing is necessary to really lift grime. The chemical scent can be strong, too, which may mean it's unsuitable for those who are sensitive to strong fragrances.
Type: Liquid | Safe for Use On: Glazed tile, fiberglass, stainless steel, toilets, sinks | Scent: Original
Can see the bubbling formula working
Easy to use on a variety of surfaces
Scent is easier to tolerate than other picks
Formulated to kill 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria
Some stains may require scrubbing
Container may leave rust rings behind
Scrubbing Bubbles creates—you guessed it!—tiny bubbles that foam up and help get rid of stains, grime, and soap scum. This means that for light stains and regular upkeep, you won’t have to scrub, because the cleaning solution dissolves things on its own. For tougher stains and buildup, you may need to help the process along by adding some friction with a sponge (or a Mr. Clean eraser, as one of our survey respondents recommended).
Still, the soap scum remover is super simple to use and easy enough to just rinse or wipe away on lighter stains. We also like how it’s suitable for a wide range of surfaces, from tubs and sinks to countertops in your bathroom.
It’s also worth mentioning that, unlike the plastic spray bottles our other picks come in, the metallic can might leave rust rings behind, depending on how you store it. As a result, we definitely don’t recommend keeping it in your shower or tub long-term. It’s made in both a rain shower or a citrus scent (although we’d love to see an unscented version, too, for those who are sensitive to strong smells and fragrances).
Type: Spray | Safe for Use On: Glazed ceramic tile, stainless steel, chrome, fiberglass, vinyl, glazed porcelain, glass, laminate, Corian, sealed granite and quartz surfaces | Scent: Rain shower, citrus
Bonus Favorites for Tackling Soap Scum
Whether you like to avoid harsh formulas, appreciate the satisfaction of hands-on cleaning, or want to be as eco-friendly as possible with cleaning supplies, these fan favorites—tested by our writers and editors—are also worth your consideration. These picks aren’t made exclusively for soap scum removal, but they can definitely handle it—and are practical enough to use elsewhere in your home, too.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
![Mr. Clean Magic Eraser](https://www.thespruce.com/thmb/QwJMbE3m5Guh_xT_NJTwTJQJQnA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/mr-clean-magic-eraser-bath-cleaning-pads-with-durafoam-with-febreze-lavender-scent---4ct--09a85ad28cde491dbf708c1b4576c552.jpg)
Amazon
Use it with just water, or to take over where one of the above cleaners leaves off. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers really do seem like magic sometimes, with their versatility and overall functionality. They require more hands-on effort than your no and low-scrub cleaners, though, since you use them much like a sponge—a very effective sponge that just needs a little water before scouring away stains. However, it’ll be worth the effort when you see the clean and shiny surfaces they leave behind.
Magic Erasers are essentially really gentle scrub brushes, so they're not suitable for surfaces like marble. Additionally, they get smaller as you use them, and it’s possible to completely scrub them into oblivion and overuse them on your surface, which is something to keep in mind.
Pumice Stones
![PUMIE Heavy Duty Pumice Scouring Stick](https://www.thespruce.com/thmb/5_b60QDLAyQSIA3Wqqof-yMLjcA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pumie-hdw-12t-heavy-duty-scouring-stick-3-pack-f8aa36b43e3141e28e9d6bb7456342bf.jpg)
Amazon
Another option that requires elbow grease, pumice stones are a great eco-friendly choice since they clean and lift grime with friction alone. If you’re looking to avoid cleaners or chemicals when tackling soap scum, and can spend a few extra minutes on the chore, we highly recommend using these nice scrubbing stones to scrape away soap scum and grime. They’re sold with or without handles, and if you opt to buy them without, we recommend wearing rubber gloves to protect your skin from the scratchy texture.
Another pro tip is to chip off smaller sections of the stone for each use, so you’re not tasked with cleaning and sanitizing your stone in between jobs (since doing so is no easy task). Like a Magic Eraser, you'll also want to be very careful to not overuse pumice stones, as doing so can scratch surfaces like the porcelain of your tub.
Denture Tablets
![Efferent Anti-Bacterial Dental Appliance Cleanser](https://www.thespruce.com/thmb/_Rm25cKB9G9Pqf-9QHwfnr3neok=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/efferdent-retainer-cleaning-tablets-82c12445d9bc4e67b7686d6fc4af0839.jpg)
Amazon
Yep! Those same tablets that you rely on to clean retainers, mouth guards, and dentures can do a number on soap scum. Some of The Spruce’s staff members have even been known to keep a stash under the kitchen sink for weekly refreshes. Just plop a tablet or two onto your surface of choice when it’s damp (or add a bit of water to get the bubbles going), and lightly brush and scrub while they fizz. Larger, or especially dirty, spaces may need a few rounds of cleaning, but the overall process is just a few minutes per tablet.
Denture tablets can be used to clean porcelain, in addition to glass, ceramic, and metal surfaces you find on fixtures, small appliances, and bakeware. Name brands like Efferdent, or your store brand of choice, will do the trick when cleaning.
However, these formulas can contain baking soda and persulfates that may not be safe for some surfaces, and can cause an allergic reaction. Before buying them, be sure to consult the ingredient list first. You can use them as often as you'd like in your home, as long as you use them correctly.
Tips for Cleaning With a Soap Scum Remover
Use warm water when working with your soap scum remover of choice—or sprucing up your bathroom in any way, says Krissia Garcia, CEO and founder of KrissKlean. With natural surfaces in particular, warm water is ideal since hotter temperatures can cause damage.
Marble is delicate, she says. “We can only use soap, warm water, and a non-scratch sponge." (If you’re unsure about any of the materials in your home, we have cleaning guides for every room to help you get to the bottom of it.)
To rinse a cleaner off of your surface, you can easily and quickly do so with a removable showerhead. If your bathroom or cleaning area isn’t outfitted with one, you can also use a wet cloth or paper towel to wipe things down. Either way, be careful to avoid direct contact with your skin or eyes, as cleaners may contain potential irritants.
The Checkout Counter
Before you check out, consider these products for sprucing up your bathroom safely and easily.
- Mr. Clean Large Reusable Latex Gloves: Several of our favorite soap scum removers come with a safety precaution: wear gloves while cleaning. These reusable latex gloves will keep your hands covered, and come in a pack of two.
- Black+Decker Grimebuster Pro Power Scrubber Brush: After tackling your soap scum, you may want to clean your shower or bathtub next. This electric scrubber is one of our favorite bathroom scrubbers and makes quick work of dirt and grime.
- Made by Design Bucket (16 quarts): A cleaning bucket like this one doesn't just serve as a storage space for all your go-to cleaning products; it's also a place to rinse your cloth while tackling soap scum.
One More Thing
What causes soap scum? Minerals in your water that mix with the ingredients in your soap, and then leave behind a residue. Soap scum is common as a result—though, some measures can help to limit or prevent it, like keeping your sink, shower, and other surfaces dry when they’re not in use. Using a squeegee post-shower is a quick, easy, and inexpensive method to start with.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Dena Ogden is a lifestyle writer who’s been writing professionally since 2016, and with The Spruce since August 2022. She specializes in appliances, cleaning, and organization topics, and has written about everything from baskets and bins to carpet shampoos and robot vacuums. For this story, she reviewed survey insights, and researched and assessed soap scum removers, with extra attention on high-performing products with proven track records. When it comes to soap scum in her own home, she’s a fan of pumice stones and denture tablets (yes, really!).
Our Experts:
- Marisa Viglione, senior editor at The Spruce
- Katie Melynn, writer at The Spruce
- Krissia Garcia, CEO and founder of KrissKlean