Help Cleaning the Base of My Shower Stall

It's probably mostly soap scum. I use only liquid shower soap because it builds up less. And I use it to scrub the stall out once I'm done showering; if I do that about once a week, it never builds up.

To get it clean now though, try white vinegar and a scrub brush. If that doesn't work, use the cleaning product called Kaboom! You can get it at most stores around here. Spray it on, let it sit for a couple minutes, then give it a quick scrub and the scum is gone!

D.-

I also have the same type of shower and DESPISE cleaning it. I have found that the Comet Spray Gel is a magic cleaner for my shower. Although the basin will never be completely stain free, it is about as close as I have come. I would recommend letting it sit for about 30 minutes before you try scrubbing to allow it to penetrate. It also works well on any mildew starting if you have a tiled shower. Although it can be difficult to find, I typically can always pick it up at Kroger or Giant Eagle. I hope this helps!

Hi D.. I had the same thing only in a bathtub. I use Softscrub and scrub with a scrubber( looks like the scratcher pads you use on dishes etc.). Its on a plastic base with a handle. You can get at a grocery store-Wal-Mart etc. Hope it works for you too. J. N.

Check to see if "the works" is safe on the surface. I always use this stuff cause we have well water and it stains. The works takes it right off. You can get it at dollar general.

Have you tried using "Barkeepers Friend"? It is kind of like comet. You can get it at Walmart and it cleans everything (without scratching). I clean all of my showers, tubs, toilets and sinks with it.

I used to clean houses, but I don't think I have ever seen the pebble-like texture. Try using "the works" with a small bristle brush, let the works set for about 20 min's, it may take more than one cleaning. I don't have any other suggestions. I hope it works.

Hi! I have a bathtub that is ceramic and has become porous over the years. Grime tends to get down in it and the ONLY thing that will clean it is straight up baking soda. I just dump baking soda in the tub and wet it down and then scrub with a normal cleaning rag. Afterwards I spray the tub down with water and then I clean with a normal cleaner.

I have the same annoying problem. The best thing I've found is to scrub it with Soft Scrub with bleach and a stiff brush. Then let it sit for a while to bleach out the stains. I'd love to hear other ideas.

I have the same texture in our shower and I just keep a metal scratcher (found with the rubber gloves and sponges at Walmart) in the shower and give it a quick scrub while I'm showering every once in a while and it works great!

D., mine is the same material and since day 1 I haven't found a solution. And, to top it off, it's my "boy" bathroom...used by 3 boys.....so even though I clean it, scour it, sanitize it....to my standards it never "looks" clean. Just like you I've tried all there is out there...and nothing works. I think I probably used to harsh a chemical the first time and somehow "scared" the material so it won't come clean now. I know this isn't much help, just wanted to let you know you aren't the only one with this same problem! :) Maybe we'll get some great ideas from other readers?

Go online to Quik'n Brite.com and order some.
It is non-toxic and does a great job cleaning any bathroom fixture.
It will take off soap scum and water stains in nothing flat.
Use it with a brush or scrubber and it should work very well.
It is also great for stains on clothes and a host of other uses such as carpet stains.

We don't have grout but i had the same issue with mildew down our shower drain. I used Mean Green (Simple Green also works and is a natural solution). I just sprayed down the drain and let it sit for about 15 min, rinsed it off. I do this about once a month and it required no scrubbing.

You must contact the manufacturer for cleaning instructions. Certain chemicals can eat the finish. Beyond that, my greatest recommendation, if you are using any type of bar soap, stop. You will see a dramatic difference in how often, if ever, you have to clean the shower.
Try different body washes or even shampoos to wash up with. They never leave a film. You may like Johnson & Johnson Baby Wash in the pink bottle. Very moisturizing and luxuriant.

Although this is NOT recommended for any tub or shower surface, I've found that using the thick blue toilet cleaning solutions work really well. AND I've never damaged my tubs and showers. I pur the cleaner on the surface I'm going to clean, scrub it quickly with a scrub brush then rinse it thoroughly. It's wise to use rubber gloves for this job as the cleaner should not touch your skin.

Our house has it in the master shower, too. I'd never seen that type of floor until moving here last fall. I've only successfully removed all of it twice. It took soft scrub with bleach, two old toothbrushes (the first flattens out before the job is done), and about an hour of scrub time.

I'm afraid to try "The Works" after I've messed up the finish of a couple of brand new toilet seats with it. Hmmm, maybe I will stop using bar soap in that shower...don't know if hubby will go for that one, though.

Squirt Liquid Zud (found in the cleaning isle at your local grocery), all over the shower base and distribute/scrub with a Bristle Brush. Let it sit for 20m or so and then rinse. Repeat until clean. If you use Zud on the base every week or so, you will only have to do it once.
Do not let zud sit on chrome faucets etc.
Zud is not a natural product so rinse it really well.

For some reason I cannot figure out how to see responses until after I've responded. Sorry if someone has already suggested this...

My brother-in-law has a floor care & flooring business that both installs that type of floor as well as care for. Call DECKARD FLOOR CARE & EVERSTONE at 1-800-994-5713 and ask them how to care for it.

Try baking soda and vinagar and maybe add some tea tree oil .Use a good stiff brush.Or you could just replace it.

Hi, D.,
I'm watching for a good answer. I have the same problem.

Try sno-bowland a toilet brush best way i found... Good luck. M.

Im in the aromatherapy industry so I have to respond to this; I agree with the baking soda and vinegar! No chemicals or toxins is always a good thing. You can add Rosemary essential oil or Lavender for added disinfecting and antibacterial properties!! The whole house will smell great when you clean and the vinegar smell won't be so strong.

I use Scrub Free. I think it's safe for your tiles, but look at the back of the bottle when purchasing to be sure.

The best advice I have is spray it everytime you get out of the shower. As well, wipe it down when you get out everytime. When it is dry it will not get worse. Try to stay on it everytime and it will be less hassle.

My response is close to Heather. Coat the stall with baking soda then pour boiling hot vinegar on top. You will be amazed, once the steam subsides, it takes very little elbow grease.
It is like an awesome chemistry experiment!

OOh!! OOh!! I know, I know, I know!!!!

Assuming your're not opposed to chemicals...get your hind end to the Dollar Tree (you can get it elsewhere, as well...but why not only pay $1?!) and pick up a bottle of "The Works". This stuff ROCKS. I discovered it, by chance, a couple years ago after searching for something to clean the tub that truly cleaned it, not just prepped it for a good scrubbing. Squirt it on, let it sit a few and wipe with a sponge as you rinse.....you'll be amazed. Make sure you wear gloves and ventilate, though. It's strong and has a nasty smell (not amonia like...kinda hard to describe) but it doesn't last long as long as you ventilate.

Seriously, it's the best stuff ever made. If I had any extra $$, I'd buy stock. As it is, we can't even afford to "pay" attention. ;)

Try it and let me know what you think. Now that I think about it, I'm down to two bottles in the closet upstairs....need to put that on my list. ** They make The Works for toilets, too.

I use Kaboom and a plastic brush that is actually meant for dishes. It works like a charm and cuts through soap scum as well. No harsh fumes either.

Good luck!

We don't have pebbles but our grout got so disgusting. we ended up buying a steam cleaner and did all our floors with it. it's amazing how well it did. i bet it would work for your shower too. our neighbor came over and asked if she could borrow it after she saw the difference it made.

I would take powder dishwasher detergent and put on there and then use a brush to rub it around and then wash it away w/water. This works well on our tub! Good luck!

I'm not sure if your problem is mildew or soap scum, but I have found a fabulous way to clean soap scum off of my glass shower doors. Plain old Pepsodent toothpaste! You can often get a tube of it for less than a dollar at your grocery store. (Look down on the bottom shelf where they hide the cheap stuff.) Take a rag or a plastic bath scrunchie and in no time your doors will be free of scum and minty fresh! Its much more pleasant to smell than harsh chemicals. Perhaps with a good stiff scrubbing brush you could try it on your shower floor?

Hi, I have the same type of shower and know what you are going through. I found that if you spray Tilex on it and let it sit for 5 mins or so and then scrub it with the "original" magic eraser it works great and all that black stuff is gone. It kills the eraser by the time your done :) It's easier to scrub and takes less time. I hope this helps.

krudkutter from a hardware store- i know Do It Center carries it.
can also try tea tree or Pine essentail oil straigh on there

-baking soda? -salt?