This homemade shower cleaner is one of my all-time most popular pins on Pinterest, so chances are you’re looking for an effective, natural shower cleaner you can rely on. You can keep a clean shower clean with a simple daily hydrogen peroxide shower cleaner, but you’ll need something stronger if your shower is as grimy as mine used to be!
Between hard water stains, mildew, and soap scum, cleaning a dirty shower can be a lot of hard work! Without an effective cleaner, it may be impossible to get your shower as clean as you’d like it to be, no matter how much scrubbing you do!
Luckily, this two-ingredient DIY shower cleaner is inexpensive to make and erases tough stains, soap scum, and hard water deposits with ease. All you need is white vinegar and Dawn dish soap to make it, and the resulting cleaner can help with other cleaning tasks too — another reason why it’s one of my favorite homemade cleaners!
Table of Contents
Why Are Hard Water And Soap Scum So Hard To Clean?
All water contains trace minerals, but the higher concentration of minerals in hard water makes it more prone to leaving behind water spots and crusty mineral deposits. An estimated 85% of our water in the U.S. qualifies as hard water, meaning most of us are familiar with the stubborn mineral buildup and stains that come with it.
In addition to combating the effects of hard water, you might also be dealing with slimy, pink soap scum in your tub or shower. Effectively tackling both grimy substances requires a powerful cleaning solution (or a great deal of vigorous scrubbing, but I prefer to let my cleaners do the hard work for me!)
Note: If there’s mold or mildew in your shower, focus on getting rid of mold before worrying about hard water or soap scum.
What Makes This The Best Homemade Shower Cleaner?
The first time I tried this amazing DIY shower cleaner, I was honestly shocked at how well it worked! It had done what so many other tub and shower cleaners had failed to do: dissolve the stubborn, grimy layer of soap scum and reveal the clean, shiny surface underneath.
This truly is the best shower cleaner spray I’ve ever used. It works wonderfully on glass shower doors and enclosures, acrylic and fiberglass shower surrounds, and even tile and laminate surrounds. (I don’t recommend using it on natural stone showers or tubs, as vinegar can damage porous stone surfaces.)
Jillee’s Take:
How To Make The Best Homemade Shower Cleaner & Soap Scum Remover
This shower cleaner DIY couldn’t be simpler: combine equal amounts of Dawn dish soap and white vinegar in a spray bottle and shake gently to mix. Spray your shower with it, wait half an hour, then rinse clean!
For more detailed instructions, read on!
Start by heating a cup of white vinegar in your microwave until hot. (Heated vinegar combines more readily with dish soap than vinegar at room temperature.)
Carefully pour the heated vinegar into a spray bottle, then add the dish soap and replace the spray top. Gently shake the bottle to mix.
How To Use This Homemade Shower Cleaner
Spray the cleaner liberally around your tub or shower, then let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. After waiting, use a scrub brush (if necessary) on spots of stubborn grime, or try my painless sponge mop hack for shower walls. Rinse thoroughly, and you’re done!
This shower cleaner recipe is perfect for tackling stubborn grime at the bottom of your bathtub. If you need a bit of extra scrubbing power, use a broom and you’ll be done in a jiffy!
Before using this cleaner, ensure your bathroom is well-ventilated — turn on the fan and open any windows because the vinegar smell can be quite potent! (The smell will dissipate as soon as you’re done and the results will be more than worthwhile!)
How This DIY Shower Spray Works
This homemade shower cleaner is effective because it combines two powerful cleaning agents uniquely suited to tackling grimy tubs and showers. White vinegar helps eliminate odors, dissolve tough messes, remove stains, and break down stubborn mineral deposits.
Dawn dish soap, on the other hand, not only cuts through grease and grime but thickens this homemade shower cleaner so that it can cling to your tub and shower. Combined, these two ingredients make the best shower cleaner ever, and once you try it, I’m sure you’ll agree!
Keep This Recipe Handy
Making more shower cleaner has never been easier with my Spray Bottle Recipe Labels. These durable, waterproof labels stick securely to your bottles, keeping them organized while displaying the full recipe right on the label. Say goodbye to rummaging for instructions—everything you need is right there, ready to go!
This shower cleaner is just one of 11 recipe labels you can mix and match to create your own custom bundle. Each set arrives neatly packaged in a clear plastic bag, making it a thoughtful gift for the DIY enthusiast in your life.
I’m not the only one who loves these labels! Take it from these OGT readers:
The bottles with the labels are perfect! Even my husband has been impressed with the shower cleaner. Now our shower doors are sparkling!
BRH
I didn’t know I needed these until they arrived! I love that I have the recipe on the label and don’t have to hunt for it online. SO glad I got these… you should, too!
Nancy
FINALLY!! Yep, you heard it right! I finally purchased the brown spray bottles + the stick-on recipes + the directions, and I’m a whole new kid!! I have “my act” together, and I’m ready to roll! I feel like half the cleaning projects are already complete! Don’t be jealous; just get yours in order, too!!
Helen
Daily Maintenance To Keep It Sparkling
Once your tub and shower are sparkling clean, use a simple daily shower spray to keep it clean and shiny for weeks! My favorite waffle weave microfiber towels are an ideal partner for a daily shower spray, forming a powerful pair that keeps shower doors and walls spotlessly clean!
I used to rely on a squeegee to keep our glass shower enclosure clean, but it was never quite enough to prevent soap scum buildup. Luckily, I eventually discovered that microfiber cloths outshine any squeegee by effortlessly absorbing moisture and soap residue.
What makes microfiber so effective? It’s all about its incredible absorbency, holding up to 6 times its weight in water. You can tackle your entire shower enclosure with one cloth!
“We have been using a squeegee in the shower for years. Your use of the waffle weave microfiber towels to wipe down shower walls was an ah-ha moment for me. Even my husband was impressed with how much faster the towels made that chore.”
Judith
To tailor this solution to your needs, I recommend my Microfiber Cleaning Cloths for smaller showers and my larger Microfiber Kitchen Towels for more spacious areas. Both options come with a convenient loop for easy bathroom storage. Click here to take a look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use This Shower Cleaner On Unglazed Tile?
Because unglazed tiles stain easily and are rather delicate, I wouldn’t recommend using this cleaner on them (or any other vinegar-based cleaner, for that matter!)
How Long Can I Store This Cleaner?
Vinegar doesn’t expire, so you can keep this cleaner for up to a year if you store it in a cool, dark place.
Can I Use This Cleaner On Sealed Grout?
According to Floor Techie, vinegar is safe to use on sealed grout. It should not be used on unsealed grout or grout that needs to be resealed.
Can I Use This To Clean My Fiberglass Shower?
Absolutely! This cleaner works great on fiberglass tubs and showers.
Do I Need To Reheat It?
The purpose of heating the vinegar is that it helps it combine with the soap more easily. Once the two ingredients are mixed, you shouldn’t need to reheat it (though there’s no harm in doing so).
This Shower Cleaner Is Clogging Up The Spray Bottle — What Do I Do?
This cleaner is thick by design because thicker cleaners cling more effectively to shower walls. But if it’s too thick and clogs up your spray bottle, you can easily fix it by adding more vinegar.
Can I Use This Cleaner In A Plastic Spray Bottle?
You can certainly store and use this cleaner in a plastic spray bottle, though I recommend using a sturdy one.
Is This Cleaner Hard To Rinse Off?
This cleaner requires more rinsing than others due to the amount of soap in it, but it’s nothing a handheld sprayer attachment can’t handle! (No sprayer attachment in your tub or shower? Increasing the amount of vinegar in the cleaner will make it easier to rinse off.)
Conclusion
This effective shower cleaner DIY is simple, inexpensive, and uses simple household ingredients you probably already have at home. Dawn dish soap and white vinegar are powerhouse cleaners in their own right, and, when combined, help eliminate stubborn tub and shower grime with minimal scrubbing.
This easy shower cleaner contains no bleach or harsh chemicals — just two pantry ingredients that work like magic! Give it a try, and I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do!
More Dawn & Vinegar Cleaning Tips
- These 28 uses for Dawn dish soap range from fun to functional (and some are both!)
- Learn about the best ways to use vinegar around the house.
- Use these 8 vinegar cleaning tips to make your bathrooms sparkling.
Do you have any favorite shower and tub cleaning tips?
Homemade Shower Cleaner (Recipe)
Equipment
- 16 oz spray bottle
- Microwave safe measuring cup
Ingredients
- 1 cup Dawn dish soap
- 1 cup white vinegar
Instructions
- Heat the white vinegar in your microwave until hot, then pour it into your spray bottle.
- Pour the dish soap into the bottle, then replace the lid and shake gently to mix.
Video
You can get the same cleaning power with far less dish soap – about a teaspoon. Vinegar is acid and dish soap is alkaline, in similar quantities they mostly cancel each other’s cleaning ability out.
What the dish soap can still provide, though, is a surfactant for the hot vinegar. A surfactant helps it to ‘stick’. So just use a small squirt and the hot vinegar will do all the work.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Use caution when using vinegar on grout. You should not use vinegar on grout that is unsealed, needs resealing, or is in poor condition. Vinegar can seep into the grout’s pores, weakening it over time.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wilma, thanks for sharing this important tip!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use plain white vinegar. It works great on cleaning the tub and shower doors
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So grateful for this shower/tub cleaner tip! We’ve been using it for yrs! I’ve even given the recipe out to friends! Works wonderfully! Thanks Jillee!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Is it safe to use the bathroom cleaner with vinegar on ceramic tile that doesn’t have a glaze on it?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi there, with this mix of ingredients can make this in large amounts and keep them under my sink and use them when needed If so is there a user-by date e.g needs to be used within 3 months etc … ?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I thought using vinegar on tile was a no-no! Doesn’t the vinegar damage the tiles? We just remodeled our bathroom & I want to do it right! I haven’t heard of using vinegar to be a good thing.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Debbie, I don’t recommend using vinegar on stone or marble, but it is great for porcelain.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Vinegar is OK on glazed tile but should not be used on the grout. Acids can dissolve grout.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You always say use white vinegar.
When should you use “cleaning vinegar” – 6% acidity?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Cleaning vinegar is actually 20% more acidic than white vinegar. Both work well for cleaning. However, you can’t use cleaning vinegar in food recipes. In most cases, white vinegar will do the job for cleaning and it is less expensive. You could use cleaning vinegar for tougher jobs. Just make sure to wear gloves when using it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillie, thank you for this wonderful information! Do you think this would be safe to use to clean my oven?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You definitely could! However, I’d suggest this method for your oven
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m hoping that everyone making this cleaner is using a glass bottle as the hot vinegar won’t do a plastic bottle much good. Either that, or make the mixture in the large Pyrex measuring cup and let it sit in there until it cools, then pour it into a plastic spray bottle.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m a believer. It works better than anything I’ve ever bought. It’s much cheaper and there are no harmful fumes. At least, I don’t consider vinegar harmful.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve been using this shower cleaner for a couple of years now and it works very well. It also removes the blue stain caused by copper hot-water pipes. Since we don’t have Dawn dish soap in New Zealand, I substitute Palmolive dish detergent.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sorry – I saw my previous comment and I’ve only been using the cleaner for a year!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m in shock at how well this works, and how inexpensive and easy. Thank you! Shout out also for the Danish Dough Whisk, the tool I always needed and didn’t know existed. Round bowls like round edges.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am so glad!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I made this cleaner, but for some strange reason it thickened and I can no longer spray it from the bottle. How can I thin this out? Just vinegar? Or since only half bottle left shud I top it off with more 50/50 mix?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can thin it out with a splash of extra vinegar!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ll try this next time. Right now I just spray the door or walls with vinegar then rub a half lemon in salt and wipe it over the area then let it sit and it works like a charm. Then I put RainX on the shower and good to go for quite some time. But if all I have to do is spray this stuff on and let it sit I’m all for that. Thanks for the great tip and I might just put some lemon essential oil in there too to make it smell good.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hello Jillee, I have a question about your homemade shower cleaner. I’m allergic to an ingredient in Dawn dishwashing liquid so could I use Palmolive Oxy dishwashing liquid instead?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Absolutely! While I find that Dawn is the best at cutting through soap scum, any dish soap will do the trick!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My father-in-law makes a form of this solution – he calls it “Ugly Soap” because it gets rid of ugly stuff – works great to get rid of dead bugs off your car!! We have a lot of mosquitoes and others here in Alberta in the summer!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We mix Borax, vinegar in hot water, shake it and add dish soap – but we also add a few drops of colloidal silver which kills many types of bacteria so it’s great to use for wiping doorknobs, countertops, stoves – anything that gets touched often
Thanks for all the great cleaning help!!
I love that!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love this solution, but my spray bottles get clogged. Does anyone have a solution? Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Diane, here is one of my posts that has a solution and you may even learn a couple other tips.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.20 Handy Ways to Reuse Tights and Pantyhose
I just printed this out. I’ve tried the Dawn/broom trick but it doesn’t clean my main problem – ring around the tub. I live alone and don’t take baths – I shower. Can’t figure out the ring problem. It looks like it did when I had kids in the house. I’ve scrubbed – it never goes away. Tried Magic Eraser and a plastic putty knife – nothing. BTW – Magic Eraser has come out with one for tubs. Supposedly loaded with cleaner but those suds come out only the 1st time – after that, it’s just a Magic Eraser. I’ve used vinegar for many things but I would recommend using the kitchen grade vinegar – it’s more potent. I keep a squeegee in the tub to wipe down the walls after each shower so it dries quickly.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If you have a decent tub liner, it can be tossed in the washer with a towel. I use delicate/gentle cycle, a tiny bit of detergent and a cup of vinegar. I hang it in my laundry area to dry. Nobody sees it but me but it’s sure aggravating!!!
$13 seems a bit expensive for a cleaner made of Dawn Dish Soap and White Vinegar. I can get a half gallon of vinegar at the local dollar store for $1 and a lot of times I can find the Dawn soap there too.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I made your shower cleaner this morning and it worked really well on my tile-lined shower. It also removed the blue stain caused by hot water coming through copper pipes. Thanks, Jillee!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Is it necessary to use a glass bottle when making this cleaner?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You do not have to use a glass bottle.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Will this work on a fiberglass shower?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Well, I didn’t wait for a reply. I figured neither one of the ingredients could harm the fiberglass, so I went ahead and did it. Waited an hour then hosed it down and it worked great. Had to scrub a few places but not much. Even my wife approved! Thanks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, it works wonderfully on fiberglass showers!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee, What reason is there for warming the vinegar?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Also, a tip for your other readers in the British Isles Fairy Washing Up Liquid is the alternative to Dawn Dish Soap. For readers in other locations, check P&G website for your country
This didn’t work for me. Perhaps the minerals in Washington are different. I used no-fume oven cleaner. With a little scrubbing, it was much more effective.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.As far as I can determine the why as to heating the vinegar has not been addressed. And… if one doesn’t use the whole concoction does it have to be reheated prior to its next use? I don’t get it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.There is no need to reheat it. Warming it the first time just helps the ingredients mix better.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi, I have a rather unpleasant reaction to many fragrances, including the blue Dawn liquid. Will the clear Dawn Ultra pure essentials liquid work for this recipe?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, Eileen, it should be fine.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve used the vinegar & Dawn cleaner ever since I first read about it on your site years ago. Now I can use it once a month with little to no scrubbing because I use a homemade shower spray to prevent mold, mildew and soap scum. My shower curtain stays clean, my faucet dries streak free with no water spots or buildup between cleanings with the vinegar & Dawn. Love it! I used a 32. oz. repurposed hydrogen peroxide bottle, so I triple this recipe to fill it up. The empty spray bottles from the Dollar Tree have a flexible tube on the sprayer & fit this bottle perfectly. I didn’t even shorten the sprayer tube, just let it curl around the bottom of the bottle. After each shower we spray the shower & curtain down with this solution, then leave the curtain open with a couple of inches of airflow on each end so the liner curtain can dry. Just make sure the edges of a plastic curtain or liner haven’t stuck to themselves. Don’t wipe, don’t squeegee. In an hour or so it’s completely dry & we open the curtain back up. If you don’t like the smell of tea tree oil don’t worry. There is no smell after it dries. I’m shocked at how well this works. BTW, I use it on a fiberglass shower stall.
- 1 cup distilled water
- ⅛ cup hydrogen peroxide
- ⅛ cup rubbing alcohol
- ½ teaspoon Sal Suds (I use Dawn)
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 20 drops tea tree essential oil
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My mom has used this before in the master bathroom shower which only my dad uses. She was wanting to know the exact amounts of vinegar and Dawn. This is great. Thanks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have Natural stone in my shower, is this okay to use? I thought vinegar wasn’t good for stone but I can’t seem to find anything that will clean and disinfect my shower walls without hurting the stone. Any ideas?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I wouldn’t use vinegar on natural stone without first consulting with Mr. Google or even a tile store to ask about the particular stone that you have. In general, they say not to use vinegar on stone because it can etch or burn the surface. They make cleaners specifically for natural stone, so that might be a safer bet on such an expensive investment. It would likely be best to save the vinegar solutions for glazed tiles and sealed grout.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The grout can become moldy if there is insufficient ventilation in the bathroom. In this case, I would open the windows even briefly and use a chlorine bleach. We solved this issue by having a vinyl Tub Surround installed in 1989, and it is staying shiny and clean with no mold, I use Clean Shower on that, too.
You ROCK, Jillee! I too have tried so many cleaners, including DIYs, that promise the best and easiest way to clean a shower. No. Nada. Zip. None work well without way too much elbow grease (rough with my fibromyalgia and back issues), or not at all. Then I read THIS post and couldn’t think of a single reason not to try it as I have a V E R Y long list of my fave posts from you. In folders and Pocket on my laptop, in neatly typed lists and photos in my “Household” and “Recipes” 3-ring binders. So, I tried it this morning. I sprayed it on the (really nasty) shower floor to try it out, let it sit while I had breakfast, and then went to check it out. I started with a toothbrush (yes, really – to get in the corners) and was blown away by how EASY it was! I was too excited to pause to get my big, stiff scrubbing brush. I used the toothbrush to gently brush down the entire shower floor! You know the results, dear Jillee: I now have a sparkling clean shower floor and the walls are next. BTW, I didn’t use Dawn, just a generic version. THANK YOU!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Laurie,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you for your kind words. I am so happy that you love our website and tips! My team and I are here to make people’s lives easier with solutions to everyday homekeeping, beauty routines, recipes, natural products and more. It’s great to hear that you have had success with so many of my recipes. You made my day! :-)
Thank you, Jillee!!! You are my Hero! This works wonderfully… Any stubborn spots? Use my DrillBrush. What, you don’t have a DrillBrush? Got mine on Amazon, I’ll never hand-scrub again!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I live in the U.K. But still have the same shower scum issue. We don’t get Dawn in this country so will any dishwasher soap work as well as dawn?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hello Cath, in the UK it’s called Fairy. Other name, same product.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Procter & Gamble
Yes, I use Fairy liquid, and it works super well. I add lemongrass essential oil to mask the smell. When using the Apple scented Fairy liquid, I use clove essential oil.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Incidentally, you can use shampoo as well. Shampoo and dishwashing liquid are similar in that they’re both detergents and do a great job of stripping grease. You can wash dishes with shampoo and wash hair with dishwashing liquid, but not too often as your hair may dry out quicker.
Use plain white vinegar on stains. It has no color in it to make another stain to clean up.. this really works great.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Is this safe to use on grout in the shower, and will it whiten the the grout? Or would you recommend something else?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My grout just had scum, not a “dingy” problem. This worked GREAT to eliminate the scum. That being said, I do have a few spots of mold and, while it’s somewhat removed, it did not completely eliminate the mold.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Acids soften and dissolve inorganics (such as minerals, grout, stone). Even a weak acid like vinegar will do damage over time. If you have hard water stains on your grout, you’ll have to use an acid to clean it and eventually have to regrout (if you’re a DIYer, not as hard as it seems). You might be able to get it clean then prevent hard water minerals from sticking with preventative spray (I like 50/50 alcohol/peroxide mix with a little bit of dish soap and liquid jet dry). To clean organic matter (including soap scum), use sodium percarbonate, aka dry hydrogen peroxide, aka oxygen bleach. I clean nearly everything inside and outside my home with it. Showers/tubs, toilets, sinks (porcelain, stainless, etc.), most anything washable can be cleaned with it. A very safe cleaner too. I used to buy oxyclean but switched to stain solver years ago (not affiliated, just happy customer).
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hadn’t read this before my other comment, but since this solution does not entail vinegar maybe it works for natural stone showers, instead of buying the very expensive commercial cleaners for natural stone.
I use this to kill bugs in my house. I can’t wait to use it on my tub.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.DUDE! This worked so well in a shower that was gross and that went way to long without a proper cleaning. I attempted all kinds of cleaners. Natural and the hard chemical stuff. The warmed vinegar did bother me a bit but totally worth it and better than bleach and I didn’t feel gross after cleaning with it. I cleaned the sink, shower and I think I want to clean the inside of the dishwasher with this stuff!! So happy I found this blog!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Why must I heat the vinegar? what exactly does heat do to the vinegar vs. using just room temp vinegar? and then you claim it can still be effective once it cools down for future uses?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It simply helps the vinegar and Dawn combine a little better – you are welcome to try it cold vinegar if you like :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Okay, so I really hate the whole cleaning the shower routine. When I tell you I put it off until it really needs to be done believe me my shower looked disgusting. As embarrassing as it sounds to actually admit it, it was bad, really bad. I’m always game for anything that will make the task as easy as possible. Since my shower was sooo bad it took me a little longer than it probably should take for this to work. I sprayed it on, let it sit for a half hour and let me tell you, I was AMAZED at how easily it cleaned up all of the soap scum and shined up my shower like new! Crazy to think that a few simple ingredients would do such a great job! I would recommend this to everyone…better than store bought aerosols any day!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Is this something that can sit in the spray bottle for multiple uses? I’m looking for something that I don’t have to make every single time I go to clean my bathroom (I like to clean a lot), and I’m worried that since the vinegar needs to be heated that I’ll need to mix it new every time.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, it can be stored is a spray bottle – make as much as you want to :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can save any unused product until you need to use it again. I didn’t warm the vinegar at all when I mixed it. I think it just helps to break down/mix with the dawn dish soap. Mine mixed up just fine without heating.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you so much for this tip. I was dubious to so the least when I read your article, we had tried all sorts of chemicals in our bathroom to remove stubborn soap scum, to no avail. Then you recommend vinegar and dishwasher detergent, no way!
How wrong we were, after following your method the scum simply wiped straight off, no elbow grease required!
Amazing, thanks again for sharing!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It may just go by a different name. In some areas they have “Fairy Liquid,” which is very similar to Dawn. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just used the vinegar and dawn mixture on my shower, tub and shower liner. i was so pleased at how it came out that you might have thought i won a million dollars. it looks clean and it does sparkle and the vinegar smell was not bad at all. I did wipe it dawn with an old hand towel. I will continue to use that method. Thank you so very much for your brilliant ideas . your new # 1 fan forever. My husband thanks you too because he’s the one that inherited that job from me. We are both in our late 80’s.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m so glad! Thanks Rita ❤️
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just tried this on my moldy shower(not cleaned for over a year) and I heated the vinegar,added the Dawn, sprayed the shower, let it set for a hour, then wiped it down with a rough sponge. I couldn’t believe how much scum washed off and how easy it was to clean.I will get rid of all my store bought products and only use this formula.Thank you for this.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m so glad! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If I can’t find Dawn Washing Liquid, then can I use some other??
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sure! Dawn is my favorite, but any dish soap will do the trick :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Of course!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Does it work on the glass shower door? That’s where I can’t seem to be able to get clean. I only use vinegar to clean but haven’t tried the combo with soap.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Absolutely! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Brenda, I do not know where you live but I live in western MA and our stores carry an inexpensive product called “Clean Shower,” it comes in a spray bottle that is refillable and they carry the refill bottles. You take your shower, when you are done spray your shower and walk away, no need to rinse or wipe it down, but you can if you wish to do so.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi do you have to heat the mixture before you use it every time?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Nope, just heat it for the initial mixing :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t have a microwave so how do I heat vinegar. Also how do you rinse all that dawn soap away?
Just heat it on the stovetop – not quite to a boil. I just use my shower head to rinse, but you can also use a bucket or large cup. :-)
I’ve tried everything to clean the gunk that collected around the drain in my husband’s sink. Between our hard water and his shaving cream it was getting really bad. I even tried efferdent tablets. NOTHING worked. I used this today today and it came right off! I didn’t even need much elbow grease. This stuff is a miracle cleaner!! Thanks so much for posting it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yay! I’m so glad, Jean!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Price Chopper/Market 32 and perhaps other stores, stock a product called “Clean Shower.”
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It does not contain a chlorine bleach, but it contains hydrogen peroxide and it has no smell.
There is no mixing.
You spray Clean Shower on the shower as soon as you leave the shower while the walls are still wet.
I use it each time I shower, so does my husband. There is no need to wipe down the shower.
We’ve had the same stall shower since 1989, and we’ve never had mold or soap scum.
I urge your readers to try it if they can find Clean Shower in their local supermarkets.
I do love, love, love your recipes, even if I have to modify them for my GF husband, it is easy to do.
This stuff is AMAZING!!! Worked like magic on my tub and shower surround AND my stainless steel sink. Going to buy Dawn and white vinegar by the gallon!!! Thank you!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used your shower scrub/ scum remover to clean my whole bathroom from ceiling to floor! It’s fantastic! Made the job so much easier!
Thanks for the recipe!
Val
I’m so glad! Thanks Val!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Why don’t I see the ingredient list and amounts. My bathrooms are gross! I need this!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It’s in there :-)
You’ll need:
a spray bottle
Please log in or create a free account to comment.1 part Dawn dishwashing liquid
1 part white vinegar
I just tried this today and it worked great! No scrubbing, just rubbed a bit with a sponge and it was nice and clean! I am sharing this with everyone I know. I also used it on the sink countertops and sinks and they are sparkling. It worked much better than cleansers and other cleaners I have tried and with minimal effort. Thank you so much for sharing this cleaning dynamo!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Here’s a post all about it Cheryl :-) http://jillee.co/2zVll89
Please log in or create a free account to comment.OMG! I just used this recipe for shower cleaner and it works better than the super-high-powered-jet-fuel-bathroom-cleaner from the store! It smells intense and also like GINGER ALE. Never buying the store junk again. Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m so glad you like it! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Mixed this up tonight to clean my husbands gross, filmy, yucky, bath tub and shower. It hadn’t been cleaned for a long time, because we both avoid doing it. I never found anything that worked. THIS DOES WORK!!! He came home from work and said the tub looked brand new!! It only took me maybe 5 minutes of scrubbing after I let it sit for awhile. I also used it on our gas stove top, it’s white, and I hate it. It worked very fast too. I love Dawn soap for everything, and vinegar smell doesn’t bother me.
So excited it worked great!!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m so glad you liked it! It really is the best :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The Dawn and Vinegar is super for removing blood stains.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do you think this would work on cleaning a dirty boat and does it need to be rinsed off
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It definitely needs to be rinsed – it’s quite soapy! I’m sure it would work on a boat, I would test an inconspicuous area first, though :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can you use it to clean the shower sprayer?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Of course!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Have you ever tried this cleaner on toilets?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It will definitely work if you’re looking for an all-in-one cleaner. Otherwise, here’s my favorite toilet cleaner: http://jillee.co/2EJJYV1
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This worked so well! No crazy chemical fumes to deal with. I was kind of sceptical, but tried it and WOW. My shower looks new and shiny. I thought the shine was forever lost in my acrylic shower from using harsh chemicals. Looks brand new.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you
Yay!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Here :-) https://www.recapmasonjars.com/
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This really works!! Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just mixed a batch of this up and am amazed at how 10 drops of peppermint oil masks the vinegar! I’ve got my shower stall coated and am very happy to say that the overwhelming smell is peppermint! Thank you for that!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Perfect!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m off to the kitchen to make a batch right now.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t have a microwave or coffee maker. Can i just heat the vinegar on the stove? Does that do something different to it?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s just fine!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I did this yesterday. Tub with shower. I did not think mine was that dirty but was amazed at how clean it is now. Did not notice a hug difference until it dried. I used the mixture, let it sit one hour and then rinsed. We have a shower head that is like a hose with a sprayer. Comes away from the wall when needed. No scrubbing! I seriously did not think this would work as well as it did. Never scrubbing my tub and shower walls again. Thank you so much.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This worked great on the soap scum in the shower, BUT, I sprayed a little in my hand and then WASHED MY HAIR WITH IT!! My hair was so clean and soft when I rinsed it. I will try this about once a month as a deep cleanser.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Okay, this is a funny. We have a little rental house which was mostly used by men. After one moved out, we painted and cleaned. I tried everything to get that filthy shower clean but could not; so I painted it!! It really held up but if and when our current renter moves out, I will be using this. THANKS SO MUCH!! Love your posts…blessings.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The baking soda tip is genius!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Absolutely!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We have an old cast iron clawfoot tub that was given to us. It has vexed me from the get go. I was ready to have it sand-blasted and re-enameled. Tonight I used the dawn and vinegar concoction and I am simply amazed. Our tub looks like new! Absolutely remarkable. We actually took a picture and sent it to our daughter who is away at college! :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is exactly what I was looking for. A easy and homemade shower cleaner that works workout toxics. Thank you!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I made and tried this diy cleaner for the first time yesterday and it worked like a charm! I do recommend a glass sprayer bottle as Jillee mentioned, otherwise a plastic (PET) bottle will deform as you pour the hot vinegar.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Is this ok to use on those plastic tubs? Also, does it work on shower curtains to remove the mold spots and pink residue?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, it is safe for plastic tubs. I haven’t tried it on a shower curtain, but it’s definitely worth a try! You can also machine-wash shower curtains :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It works great on plastic shower curtains! I use it on everything including the kitchen sink! No more back-breaking or wrist-breaking scrubbing!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It WORKS !!!!!!! The best I’ve EVER used !!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What is the best homemade solution for cleaning shower glass doors and keep them from water spotting? The “spots” make me CRAZY!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is it, Jamie! Vinegar is the very best solution for water spots :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.After I used this recipe and my shower door was super clean, I decided to try using Turtle car wax!! I made sure the door was really dry, and then used the clear coat wax. I’m happy to say that it works great, and I used it on the shower walls as well! I didn’t use it on the shower floor since it might be slippery, but I will forever use this cleaner and the wax!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have used other dish soaps in this recipe (I usually have “Palmolive” on hand) and it still works well. Try it with what you have!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do you need to use the mixture right after mixing, or can it be mixed and stored for later use?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can mix it and save it for later :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Why Dawn? With so many different versions (17 PRODUCTS) what makes it different than say Palmolive?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have tried a lot of different soaps over the years, but I just have the best results with Dawn. I don’t know what it is exactly, but I love it!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The vinegar is what really attacks the hard water! Any dish soap will do the trick, Dawn is just my favorite :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi there, I used white vinegar and some other dish soap and got a sparkling result! I’m super grateful I found you.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Elisbeth,
Pretoria, South Africa.
Can this recipe be used for other places, like the toilet, or sink? I like having multi-purpose cleaners so that my cleaning arsenal is not overwhelming.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use this everywhere. In the kitchen and bathroom.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use 2/3 vinegar 1/3 water in a spray bottle to clean my windows, it works like a charm.
For my shower, and there are just the two of us at home, I use a product called “Clean Shower,” I spray the shower when I am done showering, and just walk away, although if you wish to dry the shower you certainly can do so.
Sure!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I think that I have tried everything possible to remove the calcified water on my tub, nothing has worked so far. Do you think this will work? If there is another idea out there, I’d be grateful to hear it. Thank you so much.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Vinegar is the solution of hard water! It’s definitely worth a try :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Zia, I read about this mix a few years ago and we gave it a try on the extremely thick deposits on our tub and it worked fantastically! We had to use it several times over a month to get the tub actually clean, but, prior to that I was literally soaking towels in vinegar and laying them over the calcified spots to dissolve them, along with spraying vinegar on the tub several times a day. This is SO much easier.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.And Jillee, I just told my husband about the broom trick tonight, and he’s excited to hear that I will be able to help out with the scrubbing part of cleaning now!!
I did this solution. Used it in my bathroom. Used broom to scrub the tub as previously suggested in your articles. And now no more torture to scrub the bath and keep it clean. Thank you for making cleaning so easy.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee, do you think this would be safe on man-made marble showers and countertops?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You want to avoid using vinegar on marble. Try this instead: http://jillee.co/2yjeFwo
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Does it work on shower glass?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My way to make this is to run the vinegar through the coffee maker rather than heat it in the microwave. Kills 2 messes with one stone!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Brilliant!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea,Anah. Thanks for sharing.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I do the same thing, Anah, once a month.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We don’t use a coffee maker but we do have an electric kettle. It can get gross if we only use tap water in it (we use it to make tea and instant coffee each day) Same idea…fill with vinegar and let the magic begin.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It works better than anything else I’ve used! Others soaps will do the trick, though :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This IS truly an awesome shower cleaner! I’ve been using it since you first posted it a couple years ago. But where did you find that cool sprayer for a mason jar?! I need about 10 of those!! I can never find the right size spray bottle to mix things up in and a mason jar would be perfect. Is it something you made? Do you have a tutorial?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love this recipe! I’ve used it three times now and am so impressed with how clean it gets my tub. Thank you so much, Jillie! You are full of such great ideas that help me so much. I love your blog. Thank you for sharing.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Nancy!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve been using this miracle cleaner on our tile shower for a while now. I usually spray it down before bed time about once a week. The next morning I use a kitchen scrubber where necessary and rinse while I rinse myself. After a few weeks using this you wont even need to scrub and you shower will look brand new.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can you leave this on overnight, or will it damage the tub?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can leave it overnight!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use this as laundry spot spray
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do you have to heat it up every time you use this? Or just once? Or do you have to use up all the solution and make it new every time?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have been using this recipe as a daily shower cleaner, without heating the vinegar. Do you know if leaving the mixture on the tub would cause any damage to the porcelain enamel?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It is safe on porcelain :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We dont have Dawn in Australia either….I tried this using a good quality dishwashing soap and foud the results to be fab….I hate clear glass shower screens!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Either is fine! I use regular white vinegar, just because it’s cheaper. It works okay on shower doors, but the soap can leave it too sudsy. Instead, just spray plain vinegar on the shower doors!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Dawn is best, but any dish soap works!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do you need to keep this in a glass spray bottle or will a plastic spray bottle work as well.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Plastic is fine!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If you can’t stand the vinegar smell try dissolving 2 or 3 Tablespoons of citric acid in water to use instead of vinegar. Vinegar is acidic so the citric acid can be used but make sure to use the amount that would equal vinegar.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Tried this cleaner in my shower. It worked amazing! My shower doors are sparkling clean. Better than any purchased cleaner I’ve used in the past!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just purchased a new home where the glass shower door is thick with scum. I have scrubbed and scrubbed to no avail. Will this work or do you have another super cleaning suggestion?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This will work wonders! Just be sure to let it sit for a while. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If the sell a product called “Clean Shower” in your locale, try it, may take two tries but it is worth it as Clean Shower is safe to use and has no obnoxious odor. You just spray and walk away. You can wipe it down if you wish, but there is no need to do so.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Blue Dawn seems to be the best in any of the cleaning remedys I’ve ever found, that worked wonders. Including using as flea and tick shampoo! I’ve used this for years with great success!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Teresa
Fairy liquid is very similar to Dawn!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank You Jillee for this shower/tub cleaner recipie! Works Like a charm. This outdoes any cleaner you can buy otc.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am so glad to have the opportunity to thank youfor writing your book ONE GOOD Life. I have gained so much from you in that book. Thanks just doesn’t seem enough but thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Thanks Diana!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I mixed this up last night and used after my shower and sprayed well and all I can say is this is KICK BUTT AWESOME. I absolutely will always use this on my fiberglass showers and doors and sinks. TKS FOR THIS TIP. I refer to a lot of your ideas so keep them coming.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve been looking for something like this, but I don’t have a microwave. Can this be done on the stovetop?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Don’t worry about heating the vinegar – just mix it with the soap cold. It will still work really well!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Nope – it works cold!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It can be used on your whole bathroom!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can store it!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Dawn is best, but anything will work. Here’s a separate post all about Dawn :-) http://jillee.co/2cwjE6Q
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Nope! It works perfectly when cold!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It makes the soap mix in better :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Nope – it works perfectly once it has cooled. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It can be stored – you just heat the vinegar to combine the ingredients. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Dawn is sold as “Fairy Liquid” in the UK :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Absolutely!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Dawn is best, but anything will work! I have heard of a similar product in the UK called “fairy liquid.” :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You just heat the vinegar so that it combines well – it will still work perfectly once cooled!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can this be used in a glass shower stall as well?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, I do! I do wipe it down once in a while, but not every day.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wow. I’m impressed! I’ve wanted to switch to some homemade cleaners anyways to save some money. So I’m definitely adding this to my list! :D Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you! I’m going to try your shower spray version…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have heard that Fairy is the Blue Dawn equivalent
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I make it by the quart and fill the apart bottle and use .I have not had it fail,and all I have to do is refill the bottle.This works like a charm good luck.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Eileen
I actually keep mine mixture of vinegar and Dawn dish soap in a dish soap/sponge thing in my shower and scrub the walls down with it right before I get out of the shower. The tub and shower are always clean. Now if I could just get my husband to do the same.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Okay. We just may have to try this. I’ll have to plant a bug in my Moms ear to do this with their master bathroom. She gets so frustrated with my Dad and can’t get him to wipe down his shower walls. I live at home because of my financial situation and hear very frequently about her minor cleaning frustration.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I keep this mixture in a kitchen sponge with the detergent holder in every bathroom in the house to do a quick wipe down every couple of days- no scrubbing needed. Just wipe down and rinse. I’ve found that I need more vinegar than Dawn though, probably depends on your water.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t heat mine and it works just as good. I have been using the dawn and vinegar for about 2 months now and will never go back. I love it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.After the major cleaning I mix some water and use it every so often kinda like a daily shower spray
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have been using it since the first time I saw it posted – love it! Works great for me – finally something that works!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use this cleaner once a month. When I moved in to my home there was a dark ring and it was dull. Using this the spigot and tub look like new. This is by far the best cleaner.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I pour vinegar and Dawn in a scrubby dish wand and I hang it in the shower. Every few days I do one wall when I shower. It’s stays clean with very little effort!
Dawn dishwashing detergent is the absolute best degreaser. They use it to wash animals that have been caught in oil spills. It’s very similar to Rytane, the quilt washing detergent. I keep a bottle in my laundry room to pretreat oily stains. Works wonders!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I started using this cleaning solution this year and will never use anything else. It is the best thing I have used.
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