How To Clean A Shower With Vinegar And A Natural Alternative To Dawn

Are you wondering how to clean a shower that is covered in mold, grime and scale?

Well, I've got the secret recipe to a DIY homemade shower cleaner that's going to annihilate all of that nasty build up in your bathroom. And yea, I'm putting a special twist on the Dawn and vinegar shower cleaner recipe that's gone viral.

Using only non-toxic products, I'll show you how to clean a shower with vinegar and one other "secret" ingredient in less than 15 minutes!

 

Why Choose Non Toxic Shower Cleaners?

 

Before we jump in, I want to make it clear why we choose non-toxic shower cleaners at The Shower Head Store.

Here are the 3 main reasons we elect to use non-toxic shower cleaners:

1. Protect Your Health

If you've ever cleaned your bathroom with toxic shower cleaners, you'd know that breathing in vapors from toxic household products, like bleach, irritate your respiratory system, eyes and skin. Choosing a highly effective non toxic product, like distilled white vinegar, can be just as effective and is an exceptional disinfectant. While it may smell like easter eggs for a bit, at least you won't be wheezing for the rest of the day.

2. Protect Your Plumbing

Non-toxic shower cleaners are less abrasive on bathtubs, showers and plumbing fixtures. When you use a toxic shower cleaner, everything from your tile and grout to your plumbing fixtures and drain pipes get worn down, leading to clogged drains and degradation that can cause leaks. And don't even think about using toxic shower cleaners on those precious shower heads of yours!

3. Protect Your Environment

Non-toxic shower cleaners are a great way to ensure that we aren't flooding our waterways with toxic chemicals. Think about it, every time we put chemicals down the drain they will in some shape or form end up in the rivers, lakes and oceans that are so important to us. Replacing toxic pollutants with natural shower cleaners protects our water and our environment. 

   

What You'll Need To Clean Your Shower

   

There's a good chance that you have most of these products around your house. If not, we've included links to the products we like to use.

Here's the short list of non-toxic products you'll need to effectively clean your shower:

1. Distilled White Vinegar
2. Baking Soda
3. Castille Soap
4. Scrub Brush
5. Microfiber Cloth
6. Spray Bottle

Now, you've very likely read about the craze with the vinegar and Dawn shower cleaner that has proven to be one of the best shower cleaners to make at home. But we'd rather not use Dawn soap, so we've replaced it with the Castille soap in our homemade shower cleaner recipe.

And let me tell you, it works wonders! Whether you've got mold in shower or you just want to do a routine cleaning - this is on point!

Too busy to make a homemade shower cleaner? Check out the EPA's list of Safer Choice products. While the products on the list aren't perfect, they'll at least give you some middle of the road options for less toxic cleaners you can more confidently use around the house.

   

Cleaning Your Shower 

   

Since this homemade shower cleaner is non-toxic and not too abrasive, you can comfortably use it on a variety of surfaces including:

• Vinyl tub and shower surrounds
• Acrylic tub and shower surrounds
• Fiberglass showers
• Ceramic tile
• Grout & Silicone Sealant
• Cast iron tubs

 

Now that we've cleared the air, let's clean the shower! Here's our easy to follow steps:

 

1. Open A Window Or Turn On The Vent Fan: Whether you are taking a shower or cleaning your bathroom and shower, you should always have proper ventilation. 

 

2. Rinse Your Shower: You want to make sure that any dirt or debris is properly rinsed out of your tub before you get started. Hopefully you have a Hand Held Shower Head to make this part much easier. If not, check out our Best Selling Shower Head.

 

3. Liberally Coat Shower With Baking Soda : Bust out the baking soda and make sure you hit every square inch of your shower, from the shower floor to the shower walls.

 

4. Scrub The Baking Soda In With Your Brush: Now for the elbow grease! Take your scrub brush and vigorously work the baking soda in around your shower or bathtub. The grit from the baking soda will help to break up the heavy grime that's graced your shower floor with its presence. 

   

5. Make Your Homemade Shower Cleaner: Like I said earlier, we're reformulating that oh-so popular Dawn and vinegar shower cleaner recipe, replacing the Dawn with Castille soap. And you'll soon find out why this is the best homemade shower cleaner recipe available.

 

First you'll need to heat up 1.5 cups of distilled white vinegar in the microwave. (2 minutes should do the trick. Be careful when handling!) Heating the vinegar helps to bind the vinegar and Castille soap together. Carefully pour the heated vinegar into a spray bottle. You can also use a bucket if you don't have a spray bottle, but the spray bottle makes it convenient to use.

Add 1/4 cup of Castille Soap to the spray bottle. We use Dr. Bronner's Castille soap, which works wonders in just about every application. It's non-toxic and smells great! Oh, and this stuff is highly concentrated, so a little bit goes a long way.

Screw the top onto your spray bottle and shake vigorously. You've now made the best shower cleaner that is non toxic and natural!

 

6. Rinse Away The Baking Soda: Before you use this natural shower cleaner, you'll want to rinse away the baking soda residue in the bath tub.

 

7. Spray Your Shower With Your Homemade Shower Cleaner: Go to town, using as much of the spray bottle as you want. I'd recommend using it all. If you don't have a spray bottle and are using a bucket, take a cup and pour the homemade shower cleaner all around your shower floor, walls and any areas that are particularly dirty.

 

8. Scrub The Cleaner Using Your Microfiber Cloth: Again, we'll need more elbow grease. Start by wetting your microfiber cloth and then work in the shower cleaner really well. You should start to see those dirty spots wiping away clean.

 

Overall, microfiber towels are great at cutting through scum, dirt, mold and all the nasties that deposit themselves in the shower or bathtub. We've found them to be a game changer in cleaning the bathroom, shower and everywhere around the house. They are a great alternative to Magic Erasers, which degrade into plastic particles that go down the drain. Read more about the benefits and uses of microfiber as a "green" cleaner.

 

9. Rinse The Soap Away: Now it's time for the final result! Rinse all the soap from your shower and you should see the actual color of your bathtub or shower once again revealed. 

   

Keeping Your Shower Clean

   

Now that you know how to clean a shower, it's important to keep the shower clean. If you don't do some basic maintenance, you'll allow mold to grow, accumulate scum and even degrade your shower grout and sealant.

Here are 5 tips to prevent your shower from getting covered in mold and mildew:

1. Squeegee your shower wall after every use.
2. Wipe down the shower walls with a towel after you squeegee.
3. Ensure that you have your bathroom window open or ventilation fan on during showering and up to 30 minutes after showering.
4. Leave the shower door or curtain open to let air circulate through the shower.
5. Spray your shower floor and walls 2-3 times per week with distilled white vinegar and tea tree oil. (For every 2 ounces of vinegar, add 1 drop of tea tree oil.)

It's officially time to enjoy your shower once again!

If you're lacking in the shower head department, we've got you covered with our list of the Best Shower Heads of the Year! Check it out HERE!