Hello, homemaker!
Lately, I’ve been switching to homemade cleaning products—and honestly, it’s been a game changer. I got tired of all the overhyped cleaning products on the market. I’ve tried so many of them, including the pricey ones, but most just didn’t live up to their claims. And well, some of them were so harsh that left marks on our tiles and even toilet bowl.
In my search for an effective, safe, and budget-friendly shower cleaner, I stumbled upon a DIY recipe that works.
Believe it or not, you don’t have to spend a fortune to keep your shower clean. I ditched store-bought cleaners for some time now after discovering this homemade solution that works like magic! And the magic ingredient? It’s not some complicated chemical formula—it’s the simple, affordable, and surprisingly powerful combination of white vinegar, baking soda and dish soap, something most of us already have in our kitchens.
So if you’re tired of battling soap scum and grime on your shower doors and walls, give this DIY shower cleaner a try. It’ll leave your glass, tiles, and floors fresh, clean, and shining—without the harsh chemicals or high cost!
Benefits of a Homemade Shower Cleaner
I love this homemade shower cleaner more because of the following reasons:
It is Cost Effective
Vinegar and baking soda are two of the most common substances in any household. Combined, these two make a much more powerful shower cleaner than you can find in stores, and they cost way cheaper, too. Any frugal mom would agree to use a cheap, effective bathroom cleaner over fancy-looking, expensive, but subpar ones. I always make and use this homemade shower cleaner, which has helped me save money on my grocery budget.
It Is Safer
Commercial shower cleaners are usually laden with harmful chemicals and synthetic substances that can pose health risks. They can be hazardous to you, your family, and your environment. But since this is a homemade shower cleaner that contains only 2-3 ingredients without any toxic components, you can be more confident about your safety.
It is Flexible and Customizable
I know I have been going on about how this shower cleaner only has two easy-to-find ingredients, and that's the main reason why I love it! But you can customize it by adding your favorite essential oils.
How to Make a Homemade Shower Cleaner
This best homemade shower cleaner recipe is so simple yet effective you'd be amazed with what it can do. From hard water stains, soap scum to mildew, you can count on this shower cleaner to do the job. And what thrills me the most is that it's essentially made with just two ingredients, which are super cheap and easy to access.
What You Need:
- Spray bottle
- ½ cup baking soda
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup dish soap
- ½ cup vinegar
- Essential oils (optional)
Procedure
- Using a funnel, pour the ingredients into a spray bottle.
- Give the spray bottle a good shake to combine the ingredients.
- Your DIY shower cleaner is ready to use anytime you want.
How to Use the Best Homemade Shower Cleaner
Now that you've made the DIY shower cleaner, it's time to put its powers to use. And let me tell you this: using this shower cleaner is incredibly easy.
- Clear the area. When deep cleaning your shower, put away all the items in the bathroom to have a better visual of the soap scum and water stains you need to get rid of. Before cleaning, I remove all the soap, shampoo bottles, and shower paraphernalia.
- Take the spray bottle containing your homemade shower cleaner and generously spray on all areas. This includes glass shower doors, floor, bathtub, and shower walls.
- Let it sit. Giving your DIY shower cleaner time to work magic is important, so let it sit for at least 10 minutes. At this point, the active ingredients break down the dirt and bacteria in your shower.
- Time to scrub. Use a microfiber cloth or scrub brush to clean your shower. Pay attention to the soap scum and stains on your shower floor and walls, as well as keep an eye on molds and mildew. I usually like to use an old toothbrush to scrub away scum and stain buildup. Using a squeegee to clean your glass shower door is also wise.
- Rinse. Now that you've scrubbed down on all the stains, molds, and hard water stains, it's time to rinse your shower. I recommend using warm water when rinsing, as it helps break down dirt and grime build up further.
- Wipe to dry. Finally, use a clean and dry microfiber cloth to wipe down your shower. This prevents streaks and water spots, leaving your shower clean and gleaming!
- Repeat as needed. I usually deep clean the shower once a week or once in two weeks, but I also like to do a quick clean after my daily shower. I put a spray bottle of the homemade shower cleaner accessible in the bathroom to clean the shower as I go.
Why is This Homemade Shower Cleaner Effective?
Vinegar has always been used in cleaning around the household. Its acidic content removes soap scum and breaks down the build of water stains and mineral deposits. It also has antimicrobial properties which help kill germs.
Combined with baking soda that acts as a gentle abrasive cleaner and dish soap for extra cleaning power, this homemade shower cleaner helps effectively scrub down water stains, grime, dirt and soap scum without the health risks of harsh chemicals.
Does vinegar smell after using the homemade shower cleaner?
You might be concerned about using white vinegar in your homemade shower cleaner, thinking it might leave a strong smell in your bathroom.
But the vinegar smell dissipates quickly, so you don't have to worry about it leaving a scent. You might notice vinegar smells while cleaning, but it should disappear after a few minutes. If you want to minimize the strong vinegar smell, you can do one or more of the following:
- Ventilate the area. Keep doors and windows open while cleaning your shower and bathroom.
- Add essential oils to subdue the vinegar smell. Add tea tree oil, lemon essential oil, or any of your favorite scents to make your shower smell fresher!
- Use distilled white vinegar. It has a much milder scent than regular white vinegar.
- Adjust the quantity of vinegar. Try tweaking the amount of vinegar you combine with the dish soap and see if the smell becomes bearable for you. However, be cautious not to dilute it too much, as it may affect the cleaning effectiveness.
Final thoughts
And there you have it—the best homemade shower cleaner! Once I tried this cheap, safe, and effective combo, I never looked back.
This simple mix saves me time, energy, and money. I just spray it on, wait a bit, and rinse. A few minutes each week keeps our shower sparkling clean.
Have you tried this DIY cleaner? What homemade solutions do you love? Let’s chat!
