Browse Forums Bathrooms and Laundry 1 Feb 12, 2011 11:45 am OK So..................I have been cleaning my new bathrooms using the same method & same product, as I have been doing for years. BUT, in the last month the floor of our shower recess has developed stubborn soap scum on the floor, in a couple of spots! I have tried a scourer I have tried AJAX powder I have tried vinegar & bicarb soda Nothing is working & the areas are getting bigger ! Any ideas H1ers, please ? Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Removing soap scum build-up 2Feb 12, 2011 12:32 pm Is it soap scum or a water mark/calcium deposit? From a mere male... Be careful with using abrasive methods that could help to erode your grout. We/DW uses bleach to remove marks. Where you are coming from is where you are going to... Re: Removing soap scum build-up 5Feb 12, 2011 4:19 pm While I was cleaning holiday rentals, I now use full strength sugar soap. Works a treat in the shower and on the glass, then you windex to finish off. Try that Southies, I think you will be impressed with the results. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Removing soap scum build-up 6Feb 12, 2011 4:23 pm Try Jif creme, Shower Power or Mr Muscle, just watch the bleach on your clothes with the Mr Muscle. I have a very soft scrubbing brush that I clean the shower with. Leave the Shower Power or Mr Muscle on for a while before scrubbing and rinsing. Re: Removing soap scum build-up 7Feb 12, 2011 4:39 pm Just the topic I need First of all, a note on a personal experience with ceramic tiles. Do not ever use bleach and not wash it away thoroughly very soon. It will bleach the tiles. I haven't been using AJAX and similar powders for more than 15 years - for a reason. Then I got temporary and got it recently and totally forgot why I haven't looked at it for all these years and got it recently. It is powerful but nasty. Don't think I ever tried it on tiles, but I would be very cautious and think about it twice. It scratches and scratches away. Have you noticed any damage on tiles from it? Different gloss level maybe? Anyway, I used to use chemical spray from supermarkets, but they are all pretty much weak and hardly effective. Have some old bottle in the house of a good one, called Chlorofox or Chlorobath or similar. Not sure if they still sell it. Until I try it on the new tiles, I stick to one of my greatest discoveries - liquid soap. In the old house, I stopped using Chlorofox since Palmolive SoftWash was far more effective and nice smelling Although, I think it works best on glossy surfaces and especially glass. Not as powerful on matt tiles where we have some brownish stains on several areas on matt tiles - sounds like your problem, so I'm waiting to hear some good suggestions My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Removing soap scum build-up 8Feb 12, 2011 4:47 pm Well here’s the best one of all, if you go to a tile supplier, they will sell you just what you need. Don’t know the name, but I know my supplier sells it. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Removing soap scum build-up 10Feb 12, 2011 5:46 pm Ive been trying to find the 'right' one for some time also, and a few months ago, i thought i would give ALDI a go - its just there bathroom and shower cleaner - i was amazed, you spray it on, then leave it for around 60seconds, then wipe it off with a damp cloth, we are currently in a rental and the shower screen had a terrible soap scum build up and it has removed it all. Our Acreage Build The Lakeview Lodge - Beechwood Homes 01/04/10 YES 2010 - Deposit paid 23/09 - PCI CANCELLED 28/09 - PCI - will it happen.-18 months later 07/10/11 - ITS OURS..WOOHOO Re: Removing soap scum build-up 11Feb 12, 2011 7:05 pm That's strange ............I found these newer posts by accident........didn't recieve the usual email notification Anyhoo......further suggestions : * sugarsoap * Jif creme, Shower Power or Mr Muscle - creme cleanser doesn't work & SP is what I've been using for years; leave it on for about 15 minutes before washing off. Doesn't help. * tile supplier cleaner - I've got Aqua*ix concentrate at the back of my cupboard. Totally forgot abut it. *ALDI bathroom cleaner. I'll try these suggestions in this order : 1. Aqua*ix concentrate - thanks for the heads up Mish! 2. CRL 3. sugarsoap 4. ALDI cleaner Wish me luck Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Removing soap scum build-up 13Feb 12, 2011 8:30 pm Might be a good use of my 100 years old bottle of sugar soap which is still full. I don't find it useful for anything and was going to throw it out - but never tried it on tiles! I'd also be checking out Aldi's product ... wonder where is it made (Europe?) or under which licence? Some parts of Europe have these products that actually work, and work as they say - just spray on and wipe off with a soft cloth, no scrubbing at all and no damage to the surface. A very basic supermarket product and far cheaper than "comparable" products we see here which are much weaker, or have different chemical composition, or ... Might be the regulations ... ... My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Removing soap scum build-up 14Feb 12, 2011 9:00 pm good luck with your soap scum, and for what it's worth, have you tried an enjo glove "Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions." — Elizabeth Gilbert Living in our new house. Currently scaping the land. Re: Removing soap scum build-up 15Feb 12, 2011 10:06 pm The Aldis products are banned in our workplace. They are very strong, the fumes. They work ok, but really take your breath away. We used to be able to use SP, which I love, but that has also been banned. Whatever you use, buy a soft brush with a long handle on it and use it to rub the product in. Sugar Soap is good for cleaning walls prior to painting, it is very strong also and can actually take the color out of a wall. Re: Removing soap scum build-up 18Feb 13, 2011 8:41 am donuts ::kiss:: good luck with your soap scum, and for what it's worth, have you tried an enjo glove No donuts, don't have one. Though I know my SIL uses them.............atleast I know where to get one Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Removing soap scum build-up 19Feb 13, 2011 8:43 am thanks for your observations deb17. yes, Lex they're matt & dark in colour thanks grinder, I have a commercial tile cleaner given to me by our tile supplier. will try that 1st Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Removing soap scum build-up 20Feb 14, 2011 9:07 am I was reading another post and they brought up a product called magic eraser. http://www.chux.com.au/the-chux-range/c ... -bathroom/ I think you can buy them cheap at hardware stores. 6 11152 The best advice is for you to get a competent building consultant to guide you through your build 7 4688 Thank you so much everyone. This all makes a lot of sense. I guess when you talk to a builder who butters up everything to look very polished, you get to start believing… 7 17618 |