Shower Cleaning Gel Recipe

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

Turning an acidic solution into a gel allows it to cling to vertical surfaces and increases contact time without constant reapplication.

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

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

One base solution. Multiple product categories.

Back to blog

Recipe & Instructions

🫙 Makes: Approx. 500ml  🕝 Time: 1-2minutes


INGREDIENTS

  • Citric Acid: 1 teaspoon
  • Glycerine: 1 tablespoon
  • Xanthan gum: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon
  • Water: 2 cups (500ml)
  • Essential oils (optional): 5-10 drops


METHOD

  1. In a jug or container, first make the thickening solution by combining the glycerine and xanthan gum until it is free of lumps and forms a gel-like paste.
  2. Add the water, essential oils (if using them) and then the citric acid, stirring until dissolved.
  3. Gently stir until you have the consistency you're after and use it right away. Note that the gel will continue to settle and thicken slightly over the next hour.
Shower Cleaning Gel Recipe

How to use it

  1. Squeeze or spread the gel on the are you want cleaned
  2. Leave it to sit for 3–5 minutes so the acid can dissolve mineral build-up.
  3. Scrub with a stiff brush, then rinse with hot water


Tip for spreading the mixture
An old squeeze bottle works a treat or pour directly from your jug.


Never mix this with

  • Other cleaning products like bleach
  • Alkali ingredients like washing soda or soap


Using vinegar
Instead of making a citric acid solution (water and citric acid) you can thicken straight undiluted vinegar using the same principal.

Grab what you need

Citric Acid

Citric Acid

$11.50
Glycerine

Glycerine

$13.90
Xanthan Gum

Xanthan Gum

$10.90
Amber glass essential oil bottle with white label with Under Your Sink logo and description lemon essential oil. Has blurred images of lemon in background

Lemon Essential Oil

$10.95
  • The Recipe Hub

    WHAT TO MAKE
    Step-by-step recipes organised around the supermarket products you already know. Find the product, make the swap.

    See what you can replace 
  • The Learning Hub

    WHY IT WORKS
    Plain-language deep dives into each
    ingredient: what it is, where it comes from, and why it earns its place under your sink.

    Meet the ingredients