This bath and shower spray is just one of the cleaners in my natural bathroom cleaning arsenal. The way it cuts through tough rust and soap scum though it might just be your new favorite. Even better, it’s simple and pulls together fast!
The recipe is concentrated and doesn’t call for any water. Not only do we not have to worry about microbes growing in our bathroom cleaner, but a little goes a long way!
How to Make a Natural Bath and Shower Spray
The tougher the mess the tougher the cleaner needs to be. We don’t have to use harsh, synthetic chemicals to tackle difficult bath and shower messes though. Natural cleaners can be just as tough as their conventional counterparts.
When hard water minerals bind with soap it creates a filmy, white layer known as soap scum. Hard water is also notorious for leaving behind rust-colored stains. The best way to nix hard water stains and soap scum is to stop them before they start.
A water softener paired with a whole house filter helps prevent hard water deposits from damaging surfaces. If that’s not an option, a bathtub or shower filter can help. Even so, sometimes we just need a solid bath and shower spray to get the job done.
I recommend storing this cleaner in a glass spray bottle. Over time the acid in vinegar can break down certain plastics and it’s something our family tries to avoid in general. I found some cute and functional glass spray bottles from both Grove Collaborative and on Amazon.
Scrub vs. Spray?
I have a scouring powder that’s great for those tough jobs, but sometimes I want another option. This bath and shower spray doesn’t have any abrasives so it won’t scratch more delicate surfaces. You can use it on tile, acrylic, and fiberglass tubs and showers. Just avoid spraying on metal fixtures or marble because of the vinegar.
Scouring pads may help get rid of more stubborn stains, but they do just that: scratch. Over time this can damage the protective coating on certain bathroom surfaces. If we’re using the right cleaner though there’s no need to scratch away at rust and soap scum!
For extra cleaning power, apply the bath and shower spray then leave the mixture for about fifteen minutes to do its thing. Wipe with a damp cloth after.
Need even more oomph to your bathroom cleaning? You can also sprinkle on some baking soda and spray extra tough areas before scrubbing with a cloth or sponge.
Soap and Vinegar Don’t Play Nice
We’re using simple ingredients here, but it’s important to choose the right ones. Vinegar is acidic and helps cut through hard minerals. The dish soap helps lift away soap scum and other stuck-on dirt. Regular soap, especially castile soap, isn’t going to work in this recipe.
Dish soap is actually a detergent and works differently at a chemical level than castile soap. While I love using Bronner’s castile soap for hand wash, baby wipes, and even plant spray, it’s not my choice here.
When vinegar and soap are mixed together there’s a chemical reaction, and not a good one. According to Lisa Bronner, vinegar unsaponifies the soap. This means the soap is no longer soapy and can’t do its job. Instead of a powerful cleaner, we’re left with a goopy white mess.
Because dish soap is a detergent it plays nice with vinegar and we get an even better cleaner. If you don’t have a natural dish soap on hand, then Sal Suds will also work. And I’m talking about regular dish soap for handwashing dishes, not dishwasher detergent.
The Best Vinegar for Bath and Shower Spray
I use plain white vinegar for cleaning. White vinegar is affordable, natural, and does the job well. Save the good apple cider vinegar for things like this apple kale salad or spicy fire cider.
Adding a Scent Boost
Vinegar and dish soap (or Sal Suds) work just fine on their own to clean tubs and showers. I like adding some essential oils for extra cleaning and disinfecting power though. Here are a few options that smell yummy and are great for cleaning with:
- Lemon
- Lime
- Wild or sweet orange
- Grapefruit
- Germ fighting blend
- Tea tree
- Pine or fir needle
Before and After
Here’s what the shower looked like before cleaning. It’s normally not this bad but I let it go for a little while so the effects would be more dramatic after cleaning.
And here’s what it looked like after. Big difference right?! This was after spraying the cleaner on, letting it set for 10 minutes, and then scrubbing with a microfiber cloth. I did need to add a little baking soda to the toughest spots.
Bath and Shower Spray Cleaner Recipe
Yield
Equipment
Materials
- 1½ cups white vinegar
- ½ cup dish soap OR 2 TBSP Sal Suds
- 20 drops essential oil(s) of choice optional
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in the bottle, pouring in the vinegar last. Depending on the exact size of your bottle and sprayer you may not need all of the vinegar. Be sure to leave a little room at the top to allow for mixing.
- Shake well to combine and before each use.
Notes
What are some of your favorite ways to get your bathroom sparkling clean? Leave us a comment and let us know!
This works!!!!!!!! Thank you so, so much! That licked the soap scum like nothing else I’ve ever tried. And it’s easy to make as well as inexpensive. Thank you for all you do, Katie!
Your Bath and Shower Spray Cleaner Recipe recommends avoiding metal fixtures.
Q: Do you have a recipe which can be used in my shower, which has metal frame around glass shower doors, metal grab bars, and metal faucet & shower head? Thanks!
This recipe can still be used in a shower that has metal fixtures, just spray it on the non-metal areas. I’ve also used this on my glass shower door with a metal frame and I just use a different cleaner for the metal sections.