Bathtubs and showers can turn into gross eyesores when not regularly cleaned. And it seems once they get bad, they’re almost impossible to get back to their original condition.
You may have tried any number of store-bought cleaners already, but sometimes the best cleaners are things found in your home and pantry. We’ve scoured the internet and put together this list of the 4 homemade, earth-friendly cleaners we’ve seen recommended by homeowners over and over again.
Just a warning in advance: these aren’t magical formulas that will clean your home without much effort. A lot of elbow grease is still required!
We’ve already talked about how a mixture of vinegar and baking soda can help keep your drains clear. But this cooking product can also help you clean other tough-to-clean areas around your home – namely your bathtub and showers. Vinegar is good at getting rid of hard water stains on the tub, tiles and glass. (Be sure to wear a mask as the smell can be harsh.)
Vinegar can be especially useful at removing hard water deposits on your showerhead. If your shower’s spray has worsened recently, try filling a plastic bag with vinegar and using a rubber band to hold it around your shower head. Leave for 12 hours, remove and polish. Your showerhead will be good as new!
Here’s a good post on Lifehacker that with a picture explaining this method.
Have a nasty film on your nice glass shower doors? Many have reported success with mixing cornstarch with water to create a paste.
Use one rag to gently rub and scrub on the door/glass. Then use a second clean, damp rag to remove the paste. Last, use a third clean rag to polish the door.
We don’t recommend using fabric softener sheets in the dryer (as they can create air quality problems and aggravate respiratory problems in some people). But they wipe up soap scum, especially from shower doors.
There’s some discrepancy on which way is best to use them, but here are some suggestions:
Reader’s Digest has an interesting write-up on other uses of fabric softener sheets.
Many homeowners have reported success using hydrogen peroxide to remove tile grout stains in their shower. The hydrogen peroxide whitens the grout much like bleach, but its fumes are less intense. (Although it’s still recommended that you use it in a well-ventilated area and wear a mask.)
Simply spray the hydrogen peroxide on the tile grout, let sit for about 30 minutes, and then scrub it off with a stiff brush.
Hopefully, these cleaners will help you get your chores done more quickly, and your home feels more comfortable. For more helpful plumbing tips, check out the rest of our blog.
Coolray and Mr. Plumber Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing is dedicated to helping Atlanta area homeowners keep their homes comfortable and efficient.
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