How do you stop soap scum????

[LynnE73]

Hi!
About a year ago my husband and I stopped using bar soaps and shampoos that you can get in "regular" supermarkets and started to use whole foods type stuff...specifically Weleda Calendula Bar soap, which is fabulous, but since we've been using it, the soap scum in our tub and on the shower curtain is out of control. I used to use Scrub Free (a harsh chemical bathroom cleaner, that works great but will make you choke.) I've been using just baking soda to clean the tub and walls now but it looks like hell and I have to do it at least every other day to keep up on it. Is there anything better I can use to clean? And also, now we're getting some mold in the grout. I don't want to use chlorine bleach. Is there something non-toxic I can use? And my last question, which was the main topic of this long winded post anyway...is there something I can use after cleaning that will help alleviate the soap scum? Like lemon oil or something? Any help or insight would be very much appreciated! Thanks in advance!
-Lynn

[Piglet68]

Well, for the mildew/mold I can recommend vinegar. I use a 50/50 solution of white distilled vinegar and water, with some tea tree oil mixed in. But if that doesn't work, try just straight vinegar. Spray it on, leave it for a minute then rinse.

[MaWhit]

Hmmm... We've enver had a soap scum problem and the only thing I can think to attribute it to is that DH and I are well-trained (by me) to hose down (with HOT water) the shower wall, curtain liner, and tub with the detachable shower head before getting out of the shower/tub. This removes any residues that would othewise build up.

Oh, and the shower walls looking bad after tha baking soda may be due to not getting it all rinsed off. After scrubbing with baking soda spray the area with vinegar, then rinse.

[PumpkinSeeds]

for the soap scum try borax powder with a squirt of dish detergent and just enough water to make a paste and some elbow grease.

[RidentMama]

For the soap scum, I finally got so sick of scrubbing the tub for 45 minutes that I broke down and started using steel wool pads. Now I spend 5-10 minutes on the tub and have no icky chemicals to contend with.
As for the shower curtain, take it off the rod and put it in with the laundry once a month.

[lilirose]

I have a good friend who does not allow ANY bar soap in her home because of soap scum- only shower gel and liquid soap are allowed, and it seems to have solved her problem. She claims that soap scum is simply caused by the stuff that causes the soap to harden, so if you only use soft soap, no scum...

[Piglet68]

Originally posted by renee_welch
...I broke down and started using steel wool pads

Isn't this damaging the finish on your tub? We did that in a rental unit we had ages ago (my roommates and I) and the tub got all scratchy and rough. I don't use abrasives anymore for that reason.

A detachable shower head is SUCH a great idea! I'm always at a loss as to how to rinse down the shower walls when I'm cleaning.

[LunaMom]

I second lilirose's suggestion - I just read in a magazine that it is the fat in bar soaps that causes soap scum, so if you switch to liquid soap (plenty of organic ones out there to choose from), the problem should be solved!

[LazureFairie]

Definately any cleaner with tea tree oil will break down soap scum. I switched to shower gels because of soap scum too but they will leave a film. I think the scum is caused by the base in the soap when it reacts with your water--hard water means more scum. I have been recently using french-milled soaps that are pressed rather than formed with fat bases (like most of the soaps you buy in the grocery store) plus french-milled soaps last much much longer. A good triple-milled soap is made by Burt's Bees. I attended a Burt's bees seminar recently and found out why they do not make shower gels and body washes--because to liquify soaps they need to add various chemical emulsifiers etc. and that's why they only make the bars.

[justmama]

Vinegar 5% solution. Works great as a preventative if used a few times a week. Stronger solution(like 50%) works great for established soap scum. Just let it sit for a few minutes to soften the stuff.
By the way, I love Seventh Generation's spray stuff(it's the only chemical-type cleaner I use). I can't remember what it's called or whatever but it gets EVERYTHING off counters and cleans sinks and toilets, etc. Just spray it on, leave for about 30 seconds and wipe off. It's clean!!!!! I also like that it has no smell so my house doesn't smell like a chemical factor. I only use that spray, vinegar, baking soda, and Dr. Bronner's lavendar soap to clean my house.
Meg