DIY Shower Cleaner: 5 Easy Recipes for a Sparkling Clean

5 Easy Recipes to Make DIY Shower Cleaner

Here are five easy and effective DIY shower cleaner recipes that use simple ingredients to keep your shower sparkling clean and fresh!

1. Vinegar and Dish Soap Shower Cleaner

Credit: Pinterest/@cameoroze

Ingredients

• • • • 1 cup white vinegar
      • 1 cup dish soap (a grease-cutting variety, such as Dawn)

Instructions

Start by heating the white vinegar in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Heating the vinegar improves its cleaning power, as it helps dissolve soap scum and mineral buildup more effectively. Carefully pour the warm vinegar into a spray bottle, then add the dish soap.

Gently shake the bottle to mix the two ingredients, but avoid shaking too vigorously, as this can create excessive suds. Spray the solution liberally over all shower surfaces, including tiles, glass doors, and fixtures. Make sure to coat any areas with visible grime, soap scum, or hard water spots.

Allow the solution to sit for 10-15 minutes to penetrate the buildup and loosen tough residue. Using a sponge or scrub brush, scrub all treated surfaces thoroughly, paying close attention to areas with stubborn stains or scum. Finally, rinse with warm water to remove all traces of cleaner and reveal a sparkling, clean shower.

Why This Recipe Works

This DIY shower cleaner harnesses the cleaning power of vinegar, which is a natural acidic agent known for dissolving mineral deposits, water spots, and soap scum. Dish soap enhances the solution’s grease-cutting ability, making it particularly effective for showers with heavy grime and buildup.

Best Use

This vinegar and dish soap cleaner is highly effective for deep-cleaning sessions every week or biweekly, depending on how often you use the shower. Regular use can help prevent the buildup of soap scum, making it easier to maintain a spotless shower.

Related: The 7 Best Water-Saving Shower Heads of 2024

2. Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide Scrub

Credit: Pinterest/@byjillee

Ingredients

• • • • 1 cup baking soda
      • ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide

Instructions

In a small mixing bowl, combine the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to create a thick paste. Baking soda is an excellent natural abrasive, while hydrogen peroxide acts as a mild bleaching and disinfecting agent, ideal for removing stains and brightening surfaces.

Apply the paste to the areas of the shower that need extra cleaning attention, such as tile grout, corners, or any place with visible mildew or discoloration. Allow the paste to sit for about 10-15 minutes. This gives the hydrogen peroxide time to break down stains and mildew, while the baking soda’s abrasiveness helps to lift grime.

Use a scrub brush or an old toothbrush to scrub the areas with paste, focusing on grout lines and other stained spots. Once you’re satisfied with the scrubbing, rinse the entire area thoroughly with warm water.

Why This Recipe Works

This heavy-duty DIY shower cleaner is particularly effective for removing tough stains, mold, and mildew. Hydrogen peroxide is known for its stain-removing and disinfecting properties, which makes it a good option for areas that require deeper cleaning.

Best Use

This baking soda and hydrogen peroxide scrub is ideal for monthly deep cleans or whenever you notice that tile grout or other areas are becoming discolored or stained. It’s particularly effective in showers that are prone to mold or mildew buildup.

3. Natural Essential Oil and Castile Soap Shower Cleaner

Credit: Pinterest/@livesimplymom

Ingredients

• • • • 1 cup water
      • ½ cup liquid Castile soap
      • 10-15 drops of tea tree oil or eucalyptus essential oil

Instructions

In a clean spray bottle, mix the water and Castile soap. Castile soap is a gentle, plant-based soap that’s effective at cutting through everyday grime while being safe for frequent use.

Add 10-15 drops of tea tree or eucalyptus essential oil, both of which have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, making this spray an excellent preventative cleaner.

Shake the bottle gently to mix, then spray the solution on your shower walls, floors, and glass doors after each use. Let the cleaner sit for a few minutes before wiping it down with a microfiber cloth or sponge. Rinse if desired, but the gentle ingredients make rinsing optional for most surfaces.

Why This Recipe Works

This natural DIY shower cleaner is gentle enough for daily use and helps prevent soap scum and mildew buildup. The Castile soap effectively removes grime without harsh chemicals, while the essential oils provide a refreshing scent and act as natural disinfectants, discouraging mold growth.

Best Use

Use this recipe as a daily or weekly spray to maintain cleanliness and freshness in your shower area. It’s a great option for families who prefer chemical-free cleaning.

Related: The 7 Best Water-Saving Sprinkler Heads of 2024

4. Citrus Fresh Lemon Juice and Baking Soda Paste

Credit: Pinterest/@doityourselfcom

Ingredients

• • • • ½ cup baking soda
      • Juice of 1 lemon (freshly squeezed)

Instructions

In a bowl, mix the baking soda with the freshly squeezed lemon juice. The reaction between these two ingredients will create a fizzy, effective cleaning paste. Lemon juice’s natural acidity is excellent for tackling light stains, while baking soda provides gentle abrasion.

Apply the paste to surfaces like tiles, glass doors, and chrome fixtures, especially in areas with soap scum or water spots.

Let the paste sit on the surface for about 5-10 minutes to maximize the stain-lifting effects of the lemon’s natural acidity. Scrub gently with a sponge or soft-bristle brush, then rinse with warm water to reveal a bright, shiny surface.

Why This Recipe Works

Lemon juice’s acidity breaks down mineral deposits and leaves surfaces shiny, while baking soda acts as a scrubbing agent to lift away residue without scratching.

Best Use

This paste is perfect for regular cleaning of tiles, glass doors, and fixtures, especially if you love a fresh, lemony scent in your bathroom. Use it biweekly for a bright, clean shower.

5. Vinegar and Baking Soda Spray for Showers

Credit: Pinterest/@makinglemonade1

Ingredients

• • • • 1 cup white vinegar
      • 1 tablespoon baking soda
      • 1 cup warm water

Instructions

Pour the vinegar into a spray bottle, then slowly add the baking soda. The mixture will fizz due to the reaction, so add the baking soda gradually to prevent overflow. Once the fizzing subsides, add warm water to the bottle and shake to combine.

Spray the solution onto all shower surfaces, focusing on areas with hard water stains or soap scum. Allow the solution to sit for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing with a sponge or cloth, then rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Why This Recipe Works

This all-purpose cleaner combines the acidity of vinegar to dissolve minerals and hard water stains with the mild abrasiveness of baking soda. It’s a versatile and powerful cleaner for maintaining all types of shower surfaces.

Best Use

This recipe is perfect for weekly shower maintenance and is particularly effective at tackling hard water stains, leaving surfaces sparkling without the need for harsh chemicals.

Related: The 7 Best Water-Saving Toilets of 2024