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Simple Shower and Tub Cleaner

A good homemade cleaner is worth its weight in gold, and a simple shower and tub cleaner definitely is!  The pleasant part of bathrooms is selecting storage and decorating with pretty accessories.  The unpleasant part is cleaning them, and my distaste for cleaning showers is right up there with cleaning toilets, but since it would be more unpleasant to have a filthy bathroom, I guess we should all still clean them!  😛
So when I saw an idea on Pinterest for a homemade simple shower and tub cleaner,  I had to try it!  (I always like to link back to the original source, but it only went to Google.)

shower and tub cleaner, Simple Shower and Tub Cleaner, Joyful Homemaking

shower and tub cleaner, Simple Shower and Tub Cleaner, Joyful Homemaking

Not only are the ingredients so simple, but for me, the idea of using a dish wand was brilliant, since I’m usually a more tedious “spray and wipe cleaner.”

Here’s the “secret” Simple Shower and Tub Cleaner:

All you have to do is fill a dish wand with half vinegar and half Dawn dish liquid.

Before you use it the first time, make sure you keep the wand upright so the liquid doesn’t leak out. It’s so simple to run a little water in the shower, and then scrub it down with the dish wand, rinse it well, and then take your shower.

shower and tub cleaner, Simple Shower and Tub Cleaner, Joyful Homemaking

I also used it on the tub, although after a bath,
and then also gave the tub a good rinse.
It worked beautifully, and was so much quicker than my usual method of cleaning the tub and shower.
After using it a couple of times, the mixture got a little thick, but you could simply add a little water, or a bit more vinegar.

shower and tub cleaner, Simple Shower and Tub Cleaner, Joyful Homemaking

As with any cleaner, make sure to avoid getting it in your eyes, and make sure you rinse your scrubbed surface well.

shower and tub cleaner, Simple Shower and Tub Cleaner, Joyful Homemaking

shower and tub cleaner, Simple Shower and Tub Cleaner, Joyful Homemaking
shower and tub cleaner, Simple Shower and Tub Cleaner, Joyful Homemaking

101 Comments

  1. This is my favorite cleaner! It’s the only thing that worked on our downstairs shower (that was so dirty I refused to use it!). I really like the scrub brushes you use!!
    Kristen @ Trial and Error Homemaking

  2. This is a great tip! I plan on using it. I despise cleaning the shower. Hopefully, this will make the chore a bit more tolerable! I am following you and would love for you to visit me over at Posed Perfection and follow back by clicking on my “Follow Me” button. Have a blessed week!
    ~Nici

    1. If you drop a denture cleaning tablet in the toilet and the tank it cleans amazingly. I have a guest bath that is rarely used and a yucky ring wiill develop if not frequents flushed so I just throw a denture tablet in once per week and it remains sparkly clean. You can buy a box cheap box for less that $3. They last forever.

      1. I have a couple of rarely used bathrooms, because my ‘boys’ are out of the house now. Once a week I flush them (my plumber said to do that to keep the rubber parts from dry-rotting), pour a bucket of hot water down them, which forces the water level low, then drop the denture tab in. I also spray the inside with homemade shower spray. Sounds like more work than it really is; keeps them spotless!

  3. ooohhh a dish wand, why do these ideas never just come to me? So glad there are others out there with such smarts and the heart to share!

    Marissa @ forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com

    1. We have a water softner and it makes a lot of suds too. So don’t put as much soap in and then try it.

  4. I use this same recipe. Have for a year or so and have seen such an improvement in how clean my shower is. Here from Titus 2 Tuesday

      1. OOOhhhh….. somewhere on Pintrest I heard using vinegar on granite is a bad idea. check it out …… wish I had more info for you but I don’t have a granite counter top so didn’t spend much thought on this. I think the vinegar causes a reaction and dulls the finish or soaks in and scratches the surface… not sure : {)

        1. I would also like to comment! Yes, I have read in many articles that vinegar (anything acidic) is not good on natural stone surfaces!

          1. Definitely DO NOT get this on shiny travertine tiles. It dripped in a few spots on my travertine floor & took the finish right off the tile. I wouldn’t use it on natural stone.

  5. I will try this, and believe me, if it works in our tub it can be called a miracle cleaner. The tub is old and truly never looks clean, no matter how hard it’s scrubbed or what’s used. You’ve offered me a ray of hope!

  6. This seems so much faster than my usual routine. Thanks for sharing!

    Jenn
    recreateandrepin.blogspot.com

  7. I tried this too and will NEVER use anything else. I couldn’t believe how awesome it worked =)

    Visiting from Sugar Bee Crafts

  8. I’ve been using this cleaner in my bathrooms for awhile but I never thought of the dish wand. GREAT idea!! Thanks.

    Coming over from Raising Homemakers link-up.

  9. That dish wand idea is a good one. Found your site at the Raising homemakers link party, and can’t wait to read the posts with all the lovely pictures in the sidebar. Especially the lemon ice box cake!

  10. I’m going to be trying this tonight! I just replaced my dish wand today because it keeps leaking and wasting dish soap – my old one will get a new life in the shower!

  11. This is so great because it keeps my hands away from having to touch the ickiness and I can use it while others are in the bathroom. I was just denied access because of the chemical fumes. Oddly enough, the combination of vinegar and Dawn (except only a drop of Dawn) placed in a bowl is a good gnat trap! LOL That hasn’t worked as well, though. Can’t wait to try it!

  12. Hi! I found you through Pinterest and thank goodness! I just used this on my yucky shower and it was AWESOME! I was also just using the generic Kirkland dish soap from Costco so apparently most any dish soap will work! I had tried the strongest and most awful ‘bathroom cleaners’ and none worked like this! I’m hooked! I will be heading to the store to get those wands also! Perfect idea! Thank you sooooooo much!

  13. This sounds interesting. Can the wand be used on the glass door of the shower as well? I’m not sure how abrasive the pad of the wand is.

    1. I used the wand on my glass shower doors and it has been the only thing I have found that took the scum off. Everything I have used before looked like it cleaned it off, until it dried and looked like it was never touched. But the vinegar and Dawn soap did the trick, no more scum build up.

  14. There is no original source because I was the one who created the pin . I saw the recipie for the shower cleaner on Pinterest and thought to use it in a kitchen scrub brush for easy access in the shower. I am thrilled that you blogged about it and am just having a blast seeing how many people are actually using it!

  15. Thank you for stopping by to comment! I really am enjoying it as well, it just makes cleaning the tub and shower so much easier! Now if I could just figure out how to make cleaning the toilets easier! 😛

  16. I just had to stop back and say I LOVE this! I have been using for a few months now. I wipe down all my shower surfaces with it at the end of each shower (which is probably overkill, but it is SO sparkly afterwards that it is kind of addicting). I had tried every cleaner (even the super-harsh ones like The Works) in the shower at our rental house, which was disgusting when we moved in two years ago. The walls are FINALLY brightening up since I’ve started using this. Just wanted to say thanks! It works great!!

  17. I hope this doesn’t sound rude, but if you’ve studied chemistry, you’d know that the vinegar neutralizes the soap and it doesn’t work as well as if you use it alone. If you’d use the Dawn alone, it would work even better. I would recommend using the Dawn to clean with, as there is nothing better. Then, rinse the Dawn away and spray the shower with vinegar, as the acidic vinegar will cut/neutralize any of the soap residue and shine it up. Dawn is really a miracle cleaner. I use it on a wet sponge to clean mirrors, then dry with a cloth. I use it on my tub, in the toilet, and in the sink. You are only diluting the cleaning power of the Dawn by adding vinegar. Try it on it’s own and and see. You will be amazed that Dawn cleans even better on its own. It’s just simple chemistry 101.

    1. Just not nearly as convenient as mixing them in the scrub brush…it actually works just fine to mix them, chemistry 101 or no!

  18. Has anyone tried this with a tiled shower?? Ive tried almost everything out there and I get these tips and grout to look clean. Were trying to hold of an regrouting the shower until we can afford it and have time for it.

    1. Home Depot and Lowes have products like Polyblend Grout Renew colorant. Comes in small bottles (like artists acrylic paint at craft stores) at approximately $10. Comes in many colors and does an amazing job of restoring or even changing the total color of the grout. I put it on with a small artists brush. This brand has the sealer already mixed in and one bottle will cover most rooms. Loved it and re colored each of my tile floors.

  19. I was told to mix 1/2 Dawn to 1/2 vinegar. But to heat the vinegar in the microwave for a minute or minute and a half first . Then pour vinegar in a spray bottle with Dawn, gentle mix by turning back and forth ( less suds that way). It is a miricle worker for sure, I tried everything to cut hard water build up. I LOVE the BRUSH IDEA!!!

  20. i just did this but used apple dawn, my huge Jacuzzi is sparkling! do you know why you are supposed to use blue dawn??

  21. I read a similar recipe that specified to heat the vinegar pretty hot, slowly add to the Dawn (must be “Original Blue”), then carefully agitate to mix. This will make certain the detergent is totally dissolved into solution with the vinegar. You don’t have to heat it again, just the initial step. After that, this solution has never become thick for me. It works really well. (It also helps to use a squeegy after showers to prevent the soap build-up.)

  22. I didnt see a response to the one where they were asking about tile…we have large tile (grout obviously) and not fiberglass. wondering if this works on the tile as well? I think I have read about a similar cleaner. We still use bar soap and it really creates soap scum, you can really see it on the darker tile. I guess it wouldnt hurt to try this ..thx

    1. There is a new green cleaning products manufacturer called BioWorx.us, they have a green cleaner that dissolves soap scum. You can look at thier web site for laboratory proof.

      I thought this group would be interested in this new product.

    2. I think you have to use the non-concentrated version of the dish soap, and that cuts down on the suds. It think that’s why they say blue Dawn, because the only non-concentrated one I’ve ever seen is blue. There is a concentrated one that is blue too, so make sure to read the label.

      1. Natalie is right – make sure not to use the ULTRA Dawn. This particular type of Dawn is concentrated and will possibly create too many suds. Avoid the Dawn marked with ULTRA for best results!

  23. This may not work for all people trying to remove soap scum (calcium stearate and magnesium stearate). The residue on the shower wall or door could also be scale or a combination of both. A very good product that shows laboratory results is BioWorx.us shower cleaner. I love this product, the soap scum melts off like butter.

  24. I’m going to try this, I work @ the Dollar Tree ,I will go straight to the housewares section and get those dish wand . I think it a great idea because the wand have a scrubby part on it .
    Thanks and God Bless You and Ur Family

  25. Do you have to use Dawn liquid soap. I have copd and I am allergic. Could I replace it with Palmolive original soap?

  26. I made a spray bathroom cleaner using an internet recipe of equal amounts of vinegar and distilled water, 1/2 teaspoon of Dawn, and a few drops of a lavendar or other essential oil to counteract the vinegar smell. Couldn’t smell the vinegar at all after the essential oil was added.

  27. How ironic! I just cleaned my tub and shower using this. It works like magic. Now off to the store to get the wand. Great idea. Thank you!

  28. I love this and I have a theory that it helps keep our drain clear as well. When I don’t use it daily we end up with slow drains. When we use it daily no slow drains. I love how cheap it is, too!

  29. I actually use this in my kitchen too. The vinegar works so well on my glassware and my dishes. I do add a bit of water also.

  30. Maybe it was just me, but although i did love the solution for cleaning, the dang scrubbie wand thing kept leaking at the sponge end – VERY ANNOYING! I think i’ll just keep the solution and use it with a regular scrubby sponge.

    1. I agree!! I was wondering what other people did to prevent the wand from leaking? It was leaking out both ends – from the spong end (if i kept it horizontal) and from the back end (if I tipped it up so the sponge end was on top). Is there a specific sponge wand that works best?? I don’t usually use them for washing dishes so I don’t know if this leakage is normal or not either! I do like the cleaning solution so far though….

      1. I’m sorry you’re having this problem, I bought my wands at Walmart. I would see if you could find another brand maybe.
        I would like to see if I can find a heartier wand, if I do, I will post an update! 🙂

  31. The oxo brand from meijer sold by the kitchen gadgets would work great but it’s a little pricey. We bought the dawn brand dish wand and although you had to be careful when you filled it, it didn’t seem to leak when you were scrubbing with it.

  32. I have used this for about 2 months. Not kidding, this works better than anything I have ever used. Ever. I keep it hanging in the shower and use it after each shower before I get out. My shower sparkles all the time now. Its amazing.

  33. Will this work on tile and grout in the shower? We have a tub with tile/grout walls and just a shower curtain. Never used vinegar to clean before and don’t want to damage the tile or grout. Any ideas?

  34. Hello, in was wondering how do you clean the tub exactly if you have to keep the wand upright to keep the fluid from leaking?

    1. It depends on the wand. Mine leaked a bit at first, but doesn’t anymore and I have it laying flat beside the tub…

  35. So, let me get this straight. The bath tubs cleaned with the solution are made of fiberglass, and not tile & grout? Thanks!

  36. I have been using this method for quite some time. LOVE IT! though the wand I bought has bristles on it (Like a scrub brush), the bottom of my tub is textured and works great! Love it for cleaning the shower doors as well. I scrub the shower while I’m conditioning my hair. And I leave it hanging on the wash cloth bar in my shower when not using (bristles up, so the soap doesn’t leak out) .

  37. I have used this on a marble tub and on tile in a shower and it works great.. I will never use harsh chemicals that make you cough, again!!

  38. What a wonderful cleaning idea! I hate when I should clean the bathroom for example and I also hate the toxic smell of the common cleaners. Thank you a lot for sharing your cleaning tricks here!

  39. I have never used Down as a cleaner but I am willing to try it. I tried to clean the shower scum with vinegar only but it didn’t work as planned. Thanks for sharing this simple recipe! 🙂

  40. The bath wand is pure genius!!! I’ve seen them used for dishes but would have never thought to clean the shower! Plus it gives you a designated tool for the bathroom! Yes…i’m adding it to the top of my shopping list! Plus, I always have vinegar and dish liquid! Thank you for linking up at Funtastic Friday! Pinning!

  41. Yada yada yada! Got tired of all the nay sayers! I live in a Senior complex in WI . The land of HARD water. My tub and sink always seem to have a scummy coating on them! Have used bleach full strength with little change. I am 72 and have MS. I shouldn’t have to work this hard!! Found your post. I had two new extra scrubbers under the kitchen sink.Grabbed one, filled it, and went to work. Lady you are a genius! It is 80% better than ever before. Left a scrubber in the bathroom to use after baths. (Don’t shower) With cleaning after every use it should be spotless in a couple of baths! The fixtures are beautiful too. Thank you for making my soaks in the tub a pleasure again. Just went and looked at it again! So happy!! Barb

  42. I use the wand brush (Dollar store) and set it upright on tub ledge. Doesn’t leak. However, I mixed part peroxide and dawn foam platinum with a little vinegar shook it up in the brush handle. Then applied to whole tub, sink and commode. Left it over night..using hot water all stains removed. Only have to do this every 2 to 3 weeks. Make sure to rinse well thoroughly it’s amazing.

  43. This is such a great idea. I’ve been using blue Dawn and vinegar to clean my shower for a couple years now, but I hate having to rinse a towel, etc. It just gets so soapy. This is a genius solution for scrubbing and cleaning.

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