Cleaning your bathroom is an unavoidable task as it is one of the locations of your house that gets messy and used properly on a daily basis. Most people resort to using store-bought chemical detergents to clean their shower.
While this can be an effective technique to employ, it is important to note that it isn’t your only option. You can always opt to clean your shower using natural and home-made techniques that are also friendly towards the environment.
Baking soda, for example, can be one of your biggest allies when it comes to cleaning your shower. In this detailed walkthrough, we tell you how to clean your shower with baking soda. We also offer handy tips to clean your various shower areas using baking soda as well.
Why is Baking Soda Effective in Cleaning Your Shower
You may be curious as to why baking soda is being utilized to clean a shower, and that is a perfectly valid question to ask! Baking soda, or as its chemically known — sodium bicarbonate, is a naturally occurring chemical compound that’s been used for cleaning purposes for nearly five millennia now.
The Egyptians used it frequently for cleaning, and this tradition has carried on for numerous centuries at this point. What exactly makes baking soda effective though? We answer this question below.
pH Balance
One of the biggest reasons why baking soda is an effective cleaning agent is because it possesses a basic pH balance. Thanks to this vital property, it can be used to neutralize the acidic nature of various other substances.
This is also the reason why baking soda is paired with vinegar so frequently when it comes to cleaning duties. The reaction caused by the mixture of baking soda and the acidic vinegar is powerful enough to clean out any grime you may see in your bathroom.
Cancels Odors
Baking soda is also a great cleaner to use in case you want to eliminate any strong odors from a location. While most air fresheners and scented candles can at best mask the odors of a space, baking soda can be used to remove the odors entirely. The basic pH properties of baking soda work on removing the acids present in the air as well, and thus can help to eliminate smells from your bathroom.
Pest Control
Another surprising benefit of using baking soda in your cleaning duties is the fact that this chemical works as a non-toxic form of pest control as well. It is capable of killing cockroaches, ants, and other common household insects, without the threat of ever poisoning any members of your household. It works when baking soda is heated at a temperature above 300 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, baking soda releases carbon dioxide which is capable of penetrating the shell of most bugs and fails their organs internally.
Different Ways of Using Baking Soda to Clean a Shower
In the following section, we describe the various ways in which you can use baking soda to clean a shower.
How to clean a shower head with baking soda
In this method, all you will need to clean your shower head is water and baking soda. Follow these simple steps to execute on this task:
- Make a paste using water and baking soda. Make sure you prevent the paste from being too powdery or runny by adding the appropriate amount of baking soda and water
- Apply the paste to the shower head thoroughly and make sure to rub the entire paste on all regions including the nozzles
- Allow the paste to sit on the shower head for at least half an hour so that it can soak up all the grime and dirt
- Rinse the shower head properly after half an hour and wipe it clean with a wet cloth to remove all traces of the baking soda paste
How to clean a shower head with vinegar and baking soda
As discussed earlier, the combination of baking soda solution and vinegar can make for a potent cleaning tool in your bathroom. You can use these ingredients to clean your shower head in the following ways:
- Take a large container that’s big enough to fit your shower head with ease
- Pour three portions of white vinegar into the container and add a portion of baking soda. As soon as the ingredients mix, you should start to see bubbles appear in the container
- Place the shower head into the container so that it is submerged fully in the solution
- Allow the shower head to sit in the liquid for at least an hour. If it isn’t fully clean after an hour, allow it to sit for an extra half hour. Leaving it overnight will also give you a thorough cleaning
- Rinse the shower head with warm water to remove all traces of vinegar and baking soda. Wipe it dry with a soft cloth
How to clean shower drain with baking soda and vinegar
Baking soda can also be used as an effective drain cleaner as well. To clean your shower drain using baking soda and vinegar, follow these steps:
- Sprinkle half a cup of baking soda into your shower drain
- Add vinegar into the drain. The volume should be roughly half the amount of baking soda you’ve already applied in the drain
- The mixture will start to foam now and this is normal. The foam helps to clear the drain effectively. Allow the mix to sit in the drain for at least 15 minutes
- Pout hot water into the drain slowly in order to wash away any residue of the baking soda and vinegar mix. If you have metal plumbing, you can afford to pour boiling water into the drain as well
How to clean shower tile grout with baking soda and vinegar
Tile grout can be annoying to clean, but not if you’re using the potent combination of baking soda and vinegar. Get sparkling tiles in your bathroom by following these simple steps:
- Sprinkle baking soda onto the various sections of tile, emphasizing the regions that have stained grout
- Pour small quantities of vinegar (roughly half the amount of baking soda used) onto the sections with the baking soda on the tiles
- Allow the two ingredients to mix and settle on the tiles
- After half an hour, you can use a bristle brush to scrub the tiles along with the solution
- Allow the solution to settle for another half hour on the tiles
- Now rinse the tiles using warm water from a bucket
- Pour enough warm water to wash away the solution entirely
- Wipe the tiles clean with a soft and dry cloth. Make sure to do this thoroughly as the solution can make the tiles slippery
How to clean shower doors with baking soda
Baking soda can also be an effective cleaner when you want to clean the door of your bathroom as well. To clean your doors, follow these steps:
- Make a diluted paste using baking soda and water
- The paste should not be too runny as it will simply slide down the door as you apply it
- Once you have the right proportions, spread the paste on your bathroom door
- Allow it to sit for half an hour in order to remove all the dirt and grime
- Rinse the door clean with warm water
- Wipe it dry with a soft cloth
Additional Tips for Cleaning a Shower
Here are some additional tips for you to remember as you work with baking soda as a cleaning agent.
- Make sure to wipe all parts of your bathroom dry before using baking soda. If there is any moisture on the shower head, for example, it can cause the baking soda to form clumps as you apply it
- Coca-Cola is another effective and underutilized shower head cleaner that you probably didn’t know about. Just pour some coke into a bowl and immerse your shower head in it for an hour for a thorough cleanup
- Bleach is a popular solution to clean bathrooms, but you should know that it does not work when it comes to cleaning shower heads
- Don’t use a hard bristle brush to clean shower heads as it can remove some of its polish
The Final Rinse
Chemical detergents are a dime a dozen in the marketplace but very few brands can be as effective in cleaning your bathroom as good ol’ fashioned baking soda with some help of its friends white vinegar.
This simple and effective solution has been cleaning bathrooms for centuries now, and there is no reason we should stop using it now! For more simple and effective cleaning tips for your bathroom and home, make sure to visit our blog today!
If you are looking for an intensive cleaning for your shower, then schedule an appointment now with us! We'll provide you with a quotation based on your cleaning needs.
