Here’s Why There’s Soap Scum Buildup in Your Shower

You shower to clean your body, but sometimes the shower itself doesn't look so clean. The name “suds” alone sounds pretty disgusting – and that’s not something you want to associate with the place where you maintain your personal hygiene.

Soap residue can also be found in bathtubs and on metal bathroom fittings. So what is the cause and how can you prevent soap scum from forming in the first place? We asked the experts to explain what's happening in your shower.

• Alessandro GazzoCleaning expert and founder of Emily's Maids
• Joseph WadeVP of Operations at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
• Jeramy SibleyPresident of glass repair and replacement company Glass Doctor, a neighborhood business

What causes soap scum to form in the shower?

The formation of soap scum can be due to various factors. Alessandro Gazzo from Emily's Maids gives four main reasons:

• They create too much suds
• You are not rinsing your shower properly after each use
• You are not using a suitable cleaning agent
• You have hard water

According to Joseph Wade, VP of Operations at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, “Soap scum forms in your shower when minerals in hard water, like calcium and magnesium, combine with the fatty acids in the soap.” He explains that this reaction causes either a white or gray film that forms on surfaces – and warns that the longer the deposits sit, the harder it is to remove.

However, if you only have a light-colored film, you might consider yourself lucky, as soap residue can also be more problematic. “When soap scum mixes with mold, it can cause discoloration and unpleasant odors in your shower,” warns Wade.

How to prevent soap scum from forming

You can prevent soap scum from forming in your shower by changing some of your shower habits and staying on top of your cleaning routine. Here's what experts say helps keep that unwanted layer of film away.

Squeegee after showering

“Using a squeegee after showering or wiping the area weekly with a sponge or cleaning pad can go a long way toward preventing hard water buildup—which could lead to costly repairs down the road,” says Jeramy Sibley, president of Glass Doctor.

Use lemon juice as a shield

Sibley also recommends putting some lemon juice on the shower doors after cleaning, as the acid can help break down the buildup. “This allows the shower doors to stay pristine for longer and allows you to make the most of your cleaning time,” he explains.

Change your soap

Another solution to reduce soap scum buildup is to switch from bar soap to liquid or gel soap. “These products typically contain fewer fatty acids, which react with minerals found in hard water,” explains Wade.

Clean frequently

The more often you clean the shower, the less soap residue will form. Gazzo recommends keeping a spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water plus 3-5 drops of dish soap. After showering, spray the solution all over the shower walls, he says.

Gazzo also recommends trying a limescale remover. “Spray, leave for 30 minutes and rinse with plenty of water,” he says.

Soften the water

If you're looking for a long-term solution that doesn't involve throwing away your favorite bar of soap or cleaning routine, Wade recommends installing a water softener. “Water softeners remove the minerals in tap water that cause soap scum, making cleaning easier and protecting your pipes,” he says.