Soap Scum Remover (shower cleaning gel)

Soap Scum Remover (shower cleaning gel)

🌱 A clinging, low-tox solution for mineral build-up and soap scum

 

When a spray won’t stay put or give the product enough time to work, this is the base recipe I reach for.

The Acidic Cleaning Gel is designed for vertical surfaces and stubborn build-up – toilets, shower walls, grout lines, taps and anywhere limescale or soap scum needs time to dissolve.

No bleach. No harsh fumes. No single-use plastic squeeze bottles.

Just one simple acidic base, turned into a gel so it can actually do its job.

 

How This Base Recipe Works

Soap scum, limescale and hard water build-up are mineral-based problems. They don’t respond well to scrubbing or disinfectants – they respond to acid.

Acids work by dissolving:

  • calcium and limescale deposits
  • soap residue bonded to hard water
  • mineral build-up left behind after water dries

Turning an acidic solution into a gel:

  • allows it to cling to vertical surfaces
  • increases contact time without constant reapplication
  • reduces product waste

You can use either vinegar or citric acid as the acidic base. Both work in the same way – the difference is cost and smell, not effectiveness.


What This Recipe Replaces

This single base recipe can replace many common supermarket products, including:

  • Toilet cleaning gels
  • Shower cleaning gels
  • Soap scum removers
  • Limescale removers
  • Bathroom descalers
  • Thick or “cling” bathroom sprays

One base solution. Multiple product categories.

 

Problems People Are Trying to Solve

People usually end up here because they’re asking things like:

  • How do I remove cloudiness from my shower screen?
  • What actually removes soap scum properly?
  • Why doesn’t my bathroom spray work on limescale?
  • How do I clean toilet stains without bleach?
  • What gets rid of hard water build-up on taps?

This base recipe addresses the cause of those problems, not just the symptoms.

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Recipe & Instructions

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white vinegar or citric acid solution*
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerine
  • 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
  • 5–10 drops essential oils (optional)

* Citric acid solution:
Mix 1 teaspoon citric acid powder with 500 ml warm water.

Makes

Approximately 500 ml gel

Method

  1. In a bowl or jug, combine the glycerine and xanthan gum first. Mix until smooth and lump-free – this step matters.
  2. Slowly add the vinegar or citric acid solution while whisking continuously.
  3. Add essential oils if using.
  4. Whisk until a pourable gel consistency forms.
  5. Transfer to a squeeze bottle or jar.

Important Notes (Making Only)

  • If the gel is too thick, dilute with a small amount of water.
  • If it’s too runny, add a tiny pinch more xanthan gum and whisk again.
  • Always add xanthan gum gradually – a little goes a long way.

Can I use vinegar and citric acid together?
You can, but there’s no benefit. Both lower pH to dissolve mineral and soap build-up. Combining them doesn’t make the cleaner stronger – it just wastes ingredients. Choose one and stick with it.

Is cleaning vinegar the same as food-grade vinegar?
They do a similar job, but cleaning vinegar is often made from synthetic acetic acid and is not food-grade. For household cleaning, standard white vinegar from the food aisle is sufficient and more appropriate for regular use.

Can I add soap to this gel to make it stronger?
No. Soap is alkaline and this gel is acidic. When combined, they neutralise each other and leave a residue that does not clean. If soap is needed, it must be used separately – never in the same bottle.

How long does the gel keep once made?
Stored in a sealed container, the gel keeps well for months. If it thickens over time, simply dilute with a little water and remix.
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