How to Make a Homemade Shower Cleaner - Easy DIY Tips

See those white streaks in and around your shower area? Those are mineral deposits, also called hard water stains, that are left behind from trace amounts in your tap water. While they do not typically pose a threat to your health, they can look unsightly, and make your bathroom look unruly. Over time, hard water stains can also become permanent, so better to nip the problem in the bud before it worsens.

Alternatively, brown or black spots in frequently moist areas are signs of mold and mildew. Mold spores are present in the air, and breed in moist areas like bathrooms and showers. When not treated properly, mold can become an allergen and give your bathroom a rotten, musty smell.

DIY Shower Cleaner

Whether you’re battling mold, or simply removing hard water stains from your shower, knowing how to make a shower cleaner can help provide a convenient, inexpensive way to keep your shower in pristine condition. Homemade solutions are safer for your health, and milder on your fixtures and bathroom surfaces too. 

Cleaning your bathroom should be a routine practice. Using DIY shower cleaner solutions allows you to take control of your cleaning schedule, and gives you that shiny, sparkling finish that will leave your fixtures looking brand new.

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2-Ingredient Vinegar Shower Spray

For the easiest homemade shower cleaner spray, just mix together two kitchen staples to create a stain-removing, mold-busting, streak-free formula that can be used in showers, toilets, sinks, and other surfaces. The dish soap will clean out dirt and debris, while white vinegar kills mold, lifts grime, and deodorizes.

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Helpful Tip: Though optional, essential oils leave a pleasant scent that combats the odor of vinegar. Try using scents like lavender, lemon, and ylang-ylang for that fresh feel.

What You’ll Need:

• White Vinegar
• Dish Soap (like Dawn Dish Soap)
• Essential Oils (Optional)

Equipment:

• Spray Bottle
• Scrubbing Tools (Old toothbrush, Abrasive sponge)
• Plastic Bag
• Rubber Bands

Step-by-Step:

1. Prepare your work station. Keep the vinegar away from stone and wooden countertops. Wear gloves and mask if you have allergies or sensitivities, or if your goal is to remove mold and mildew. \
2. Mix together equal parts dish soap and white vinegar into a clean spray bottle. 
3. Add in essential oils for a fresh scent. (Optional, but recommended)
4. Shake to fully incorporate ingredients together. 
5. Spray the solution around your shower area. Use a scrubbing tool to work the solution between the tiles, in and around the grout, and in the hard to reach areas.
6. Rinse out the solution with clean water. Repeat the process and let the solution sit in stained areas.
7. Place enough solution in a plastic bag to submerge the shower head. Attach the plastic bag and secure it with rubber bands.
8. Let sit for 1 hour to overnight, then remove the plastic bag and discard. Rinse out the shower head and any remaining solution around the area. Let the area completely dry.
9. You can use the same homemade shower cleaner to clean your bathtub, toilet, sink, and other areas. Avoid using this solution on marble, granite, wood, and furnished surfaces to prevent corroding the varnish.

Helpful Tip: Go beyond the bathroom and use this solution around your kitchen, rooms, kids’ play area, pet areas, and more. The non-toxic, safe formula allows it to be applicable as an all-purpose cleaning solution.

Homemade Shower Cleaner without Vinegar

While vinegar is an efficient ingredient to use in cleaning solutions, there are multiple reasons why some people do not want to use vinegar in cleaning. Whether it's the unpleasant odor, allergic reactions, or general dislike for the usage of vinegar, here is an effective homemade shower cleaning solution that uses castile soap instead. Castile soap is derived from plant and mineral oils, and  provides the cleanliness factor without the unpleasant odor or acidic properties.

What You’ll Need:

• Castile Soap (like Dr. Broner’s)
• Distilled Water
• Essential Oil (Optional)

Equipment:

• Mixing Bowl
• Mixing Spoon or Whisk
• Funnel
• Spray Bottle
• Scrubbing Tool (Old toothbrush, Abrasive sponge)
  
  

Step-by-Step:

1. Prepare your work station. Since castile soap is mild and gentle, gloves are not necessary unless you have allergies. 
2. Heat Method: If your castile soap is solid, melt in a microwave or double boiler and mix 1 cup of water for every 2 tablespoons of soap. For the cold process, skip this step.
3. Cold Method: For liquid castile soap, simply mix 2 tablespoons of castile soap with 1 cup of water in a bowl. Gently stir or shake to combine.
4. Add in 20-30 drops of your preferred essential oils. (Optional, but recommended) Some castile soaps are already scented, so this step is completely optional.
5. Pour the mixture into your spray bottle using a funnel. 
6. Spray around shower area, on shower head, between tiles, and around faucets. Use a scrubbing tool like a toothbrush to gently work away at the grime. Use an old toothbrush to scrub away dirt from the shower head and drain. An abrasive scrubber may be used on tiles. Use a gentle, cloth or sponge on glass and varnished surfaces.
7. Rinse out the solution. 
8. Repeat if necessary, especially on stained, or heavily affected areas.
   
   

Helpful Tip: This solution is best used immediately or within a couple of days. Any excess solution can be used to clean surfaces, countertops, or poured into the toilet bowl as a cleaner.

Homemade is Helpful

Just because something is homemade, does not mean it isn’t efficient. While tougher, stubborn stains may benefit from commercially made cleaners for extra strength, homemade shower cleaners work wonderfully for everyday maintenance.

How Often Should I Clean my Shower?

Ideally, shower areas should be cleaned weekly or bi-weekly to ensure dirt does not have a chance to settle and stain. Most mold stains, stubborn steaks, and soap scum can be easily prevented with thorough and consistent cleaning. 

Since showers are the number one areas in homes that get constant moisture, it is important to keep to a frequent cleaning schedule. Maintenance is key in keeping a good home, and the bathroom is one area that should be maintained exceptionally spotless.