How Do You Remove a Stubborn Soap Scum Bathtub Ring?

Updated on June 26, 2008
J.S. asks from Ozark, MO
27 answers

I have tried everything I could think of to clean this ring in the bathtub...Comet, baking soda and vinegar, magic eraser, etc..nothing works. It scrapes off with my fingernail but that would take me all day...not to mention ruin my nails. I read on tipking.com to try fume free Easy off oven cleaner, but it's like BELOW FREEZING outside and there's no way I am going to leave a window open this time of year. Anyone got any suggestions? Thanks!
Edited 12/8/06: I forgot to mention I have also tried Scrubbing Bubbles and filling the tub with bleach water and letting it sit. I want to thank everyone for the suggestions; I'm going to start with the easiest/cheapest methods mentioned and work my way up..I will post an update when I find something that works!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

and the winner is.....KABOOM!!! FINALLY, that tub ring is GONE, and it didn't take a lot of effort with Kaboom. Here is what else I tried that didn't work: I tried The Works...it didn't even TOUCH it..I mean, this was one tough bathtub ring! I even tried the Easy Off fume free oven cleaner..again, it didn't even touch it! I got a pumice stone and tried that..okay, THAT worked but it took WAY too much effort and I gave up. Then I bought a bottle of Kaboom; AMAZING..it worked! I sprayed it on and only left it on for a couple of minutes and then with very little effort with a wet cloth, it came off. I didn't even have to use a scrubbie, but I'm sure it would have even taken less time to come off if I had. But it still didn't take much time or effort..I was impressed! Thanks to everyone who was kind enough to take time to help out! :)

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.B.

answers from St. Louis on

Have you tried lysol scrubbing bubbles? Spray it on and leave it there for a little while, then wipe away.

B. :)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.J.

answers from Tulsa on

shaving cream will clean it I use it all the time my step father worked at the oil rigs and you know that they come in dirty and greasy and my chore this is when I was at home with my mother I had to clean it. Well good old cheap shaving cream you just spray it on there and let it sit and then rub it off. It worked everytime also great on cleaning tables and counters.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Springfield on

I used to clean houses for a living and you need to go to the dollar store and get this stuff called green monster or something like that it comes in a big bottle and one of those non-abrasive scrubbers a lot of elbow grease it stinks but you gotta do what you gotta do but you can also get a pumice stone and soap and elbow grease if you want a no chemical option

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.K.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Lysol Scrubbing Bubbles...I love it, I tell all my friends about it...It really does work!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.F.

answers from Kansas City on

Try CrudCutter. It is cheap and works to get stubborn stains off around the house.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from Kansas City on

Lime Away works really well on hard to clean areas in the bathroom.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.W.

answers from Kansas City on

Try the new Mr. Clean Extra Power cleaner. It's in a pink and purple bottle. I have never seen my tub so clean! I tried all of these other things mentioned with no luck. This cleaner is truly a miracle!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from Columbia on

I had the same problem, I used scrubbing bubbles, let them set for a few and then a green scrubbing pad. It was the only way I could get it off. Good luck!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from St. Louis on

this is a salution that will not harm your children or you fousets. Use a mixure of vineger and bakingsoda.Get a sponge get it really sogy with the vieger, put the bakingsoda on the sponge, this works as an abrasive.The vineger brakes down the soap scum, and its safe for your family.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.N.

answers from Kansas City on

You can try using a bleach and water solution. As for scraping try using a paint scraper. It's a tool that utilizes regular straight-edge razor blades. You can purchase them at any hardware or home improvement store. I use it on my glass cook top to remove baked on grease and it works great and it'll save your nails.

Good Luck!

S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.

answers from Springfield on

I learned this when i worked as a housekeeper in a very famous and fancy hotel get magic eraser and lysol put a little bit of hot water in the tub put some lysol in with it and get the magic eraser wet and wash in circler motions and clean without the hard rubbying for hours. This really works!! J. Dixon

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.

answers from Kansas City on

Go get the Mr Clean Magic Eraser. THese are truly Magic. They will get rid of your ring plus they will clean anything else that you need cleaned. I get addicted to these.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Joplin on

I use Barkeepers Friend and a scrub brush. Works like a charm. My husband gets very dirty at work and there is a constant ring of grime in my shower (gross, I know). Takes it off like nobody's business! There is also a wonderful little cleaning scrubby thing I found. Obviously I can't remember the name of it, but it has what looks like pumice stone on one side and a small sponge on the other. You just keep it wet and rub. It even removed rust from an old sink in our pre-remodeled bathroom. Happy cleaning!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Oklahoma City on

OK FIRST IGNORE ALL THE OTHER RESPONSES BECASUSE THIS IS THE CHEAPEST WAY AND IT IS GUARANTEED TO WORK WITH NO HARD SCRUBBING. GO TO EVERYTHINGS A DOLLAR STORE GET A PRODUCT CALLED THE WORKS. SQUIRT IT ON WAIT A CO0UPLE OF MINUTES AND WIPE IT OUT. IT WILL WORK ON THE WORST STAINS!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.S.

answers from Columbia on

Kaboom is a great product. I am sure it would work. I use Protech. I bought it from a door to door salesmen. It is naturally formulated and works as a disinfectant. Plus!!! it is safe to use around kids. I bought it before, so I get a 10% discount. You have to buy it concentrated, but the cost after diluted averages about $.90 per bottle. Let me know if you want the number. I may even be able to order it for you so you can get the discount. It works for all household cleaning. It can be uaed on clothes. It also is a great grease remover and is strong enough to take tar off your wheel wells on your car. I used it to take grass stains out of my white tennis shoes and blood out of my carpet. Definitely a 5 star product! it also removes pet stains and odor.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Sandblasting? Just kidding. I agree with the pumice stone idea, you have already tried some strong cleaners and the pumice stone will help "scrape" it off.

the fume free oven cleaner does work, but your right it's cold outside.

Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.J.

answers from Enid on

I agree with the Works, but you have to be really careful because it contains acid or something. If you use it without gloves, it will take the skin off, and it will take the color off your sink drains. It is fantastic for toilets too, but after I used it in the shower, I have maintained the shower with Tilex soap and scum remover.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Kaboom!... I am using it due to pregnancy, the fumes are not bad at all. Then just take a green scratch pad and rub it off.

Another is at walgreens. (I don't know the name) but it is in a yellow bottle. Tlx(maybe) for bathrooms. Kind of pricey but does a great job for the bathroom. Does require a fan or ventilation.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.F.

answers from Springfield on

Fill your tub with straight hot water and 2 capfuls of tide, drop your plastic shower curtain in too, cuz it will remove the soap scum from it too. Let it sit for a couple of hours, drain it, and use your toliet brush on the soap ring, it should all come off and no fumes.
If this doesnt work, try the Works toliet bowl cleaner, but be warned it has awful fumes too!
You can also use fume free easy off....which also works great on stove tops after your holiday cooking!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.G.

answers from Kansas City on

Hello,
There are alot of really good products already mentioned, but oxy clean works the best in my opinion. Buy the powder in the laundry eisle. Use it like comet or make a paste to it it works on all kinds of stuck on stuff like baked on casserole dishes and a soaking stain remover for clothes. I will not ever go without it in my house and it is relatively cheap.

Good luck,
Michelle

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Go to dollar general and get the works, its a cleaner for soap scum and the stuff that i couldn't clean with anything else it took right off. It's cheap and it works wonders, they have toliet bowl cleaner and a spray cleaner for bathrooms.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.L.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Soft Scrub with lots of elbow grease!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Springfield on

It depends on what your tub is made of....

*Try using KABOOM
We have used it for soap scum that not even a fingernail would get it off, and it came off. You spray it on and leave it on 1-3 minutes then using an all-purpose scrubbing pad work the soap scum ring off. Follow instructions on the spray bottle and repeat as necessary.

*[It can be used on any surface, except painted wood.]

Also:

**Porcillin or tile: Use powder comet (works better than the creme)and a heavy duty scouring pads (green in color).

**[This method cannot be used on the plastic shower type walls or tub materials.]

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Lawrence on

I've always used Scrubbing Bubbles, it has always seemed to work for me at removing any areas in the tub and shower.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.W.

answers from Peoria on

two words
THE WORKS!
awesome product, not to pricey, works WONDERFUL!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.S.

answers from Rockford on

The only thing I can think of is to use a metal putty knife, but be very careful not to gouge the tub surface. Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Try a pumice scouring stone. I've seen them in the cleaning isle. When we bought our house, our bathtub looked horrible and we were sure we'd have to buy a new one. Someone suggested a pumic scouring stone and 3 years later, still have a pretty bathtub. Works great! Good luck

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches