This Magical Soap Scum Remover is Going to Change the Way You Clean Forever

I was over for coffee at my friend’s house on the weekend when another friend dropped in. And because all three of us have kids under seven, the discussion quickly turned to the merits of baking soda.

“It’ll take that craft paint right off your window.”

“It worked wonders on the bathtub after pink dye leaked out of a piece of fun foam.”

“Baking soda is great, but it has nothing on vinegar.”

And with that, Rachel proceeded to tell us about a magical vinegar-based Pinterest potion she uses to rid her bathtub of soap scum. 

No. Scrubbing. Required.

I was all ears, mostly because the shower in my master bathroom has one glass wall, one glass panel and one glass door. It's accessible only through my bedroom, and therefore hidden from visitors. Needless to say, it’s one of the most neglected locations in my home and even though my husband and I go through a three-step cleaning process involving a squeegee, a hand towel and a yoga stretch any time we use it, the soap scum is still menacing.

This magic potion was exactly what I needed.

I finished my coffee and drove straight to the store to buy the required supplies and proceeded to exorcise the scum spirits from my shameful stall.

And guess what? It worked like stink. Only, it didn't stink. It smelled fresh. Like a spring day. 

Magic (No-Scrub) Soap Scum Remover

Ingredients:

One cup of vinegar
One cup of Dawn
One spray bottle
Glass measuring cups

Directions:

• Heat up one cup of vinegar in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
   
• Pour one cup of Dawn into the spray bottle.
   
• Pour the cup of warm vinegar into the spray bottle.
   
• Shake. Shake. Shake.

Here’s how to clean with it:

1. Spray the solution onto the glass while trying not to vomit at the sight of the dirty build-up while silently cursing your husband and his filthy mountain bike habit.
    
2. Wait 10 minutes. 
    
3. Spray with clear water (from another spray bottle) and start to wipe with a cloth or paper towel.
    
4. Panic as you watch a white filmy haze appear.
    
5. Wonder what-in-the-hell you did wrong as you contemplate having to remove yet another layer of soap.
    
6. Turn on the shower.
    
7. Retreat.
    
8. Return one minute later to crystal clear glass. No joke.

It's clean.

It’s grab-your-supper-and-eat-it-in-the-bathroom-so-you-can-stare-at-it clean.

It’s don’t-open-your-screens-or-a-bird-will-fly-into-it-and-die clean.

It’s invite-your-mother-in-law-over-for-a-visit-this-afternoon clean.

However, since I neglected to take a before photo, you might find it difficult to believe me. So in order to properly demonstrate how amazing this wonder spray is, I stopped wiping down my bathroom sink and allowed the scum and other junk to accumulate, thus making myself sick.

I know, I know. Ugh, right?

I sprayed on the thick blue goo and walked away for a few minutes.

Then, I turned on the warm water and rinsed. And rinsed.

And then, I blew my own mind again because, NO SCRUBBING.

I am hooked. And you should see what it does to toilets.

IMAGE SOURCES: BAONA VIA GETTY IMAGES  |  COURTESY OF ALANNA CARDONA