I don’t enjoy cleaning, but I love discovering a cleaner that’s easy to use and actually works.
This homemade shower cleaner is exactly that.
With only three ingredients, you shake, spray, and an hour later your shower looks shiny and refreshed.
It’s simple and effective.
Here are some of the benefits I consistently see with this cleaner:
- Penetrates deeply to break down grease, dirt, and grime
- Dissolves old, caked-on soap scum
- Helps disinfect tubs and showers thanks to the natural properties of the essential oils
- Removes hard water spots from faucets, knobs, and door handles
- Helps treat and prevent mold and mildew
- Leaves tub, tile, faucets, and glass shower doors shiny and sparkling
- Smells fresh and clean
- Requires very little effort—spray, wait, and rinse. Often no scrubbing is needed; a hot water rinse is enough to reveal a sparkling shower.
Supplies for DIY Shower Cleaner
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- White vinegar
- Sal Suds or Dawn Ultra dishwashing soap
- Essential oils (I use a blend of lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, and tea tree)
- 16 oz spray bottle — glass bottles work well, or plastic #1 PET or #2 HDPE bottles that are safe for diluted essential oils
- Funnel
Homemade Shower Cleaner Recipe
This recipe cuts through soap scum on tubs, tile, and showers with minimal effort.
Step 1: Add 1/2 cup Sal Suds or Dawn Ultra to a 16 oz spray bottle
Note: Sal Suds is a plant-based cleaner from Dr. Bronner’s and is more powerful than Castile soap. Do not substitute Castile soap; it won’t be as effective in this formula.
Step 2: Add 1.5 cups white vinegar
Tip: Leave some space at the top of the bottle for the sprayer and for the essential oils. Filling it completely can cause overflow when attaching the sprayer.
Step 3: Add 25–30 drops of essential oil
Essential oils add a fresh scent and contribute antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Suggested blend:
- 7 drops lavender
- 7 drops lemon
- 7 drops eucalyptus
- 7 drops tea tree
Step 4: Put the spray top on and gently mix
Secure the sprayer and gently invert or shake the bottle to combine the ingredients.
How to Use
- Shake the bottle to mix ingredients
- Spray liberally on shower walls, tub, tile, faucets, and glass doors
- Let it sit at least 30 minutes; it can sit overnight for tougher buildup
- Lightly scrub if needed
- Rinse with hot water
- Enjoy a cleaner, shinier shower with less effort
Note: Do not use on granite or marble; the vinegar can damage those surfaces.
Caution: As with other soaps, the cleaner may leave surfaces slippery until rinsed.
Why This Cleaner Works
This formula is effective because it combines three complementary cleaning agents:
Vinegar: A natural acid that dissolves soap scum, removes hard water spots, fights mold and mildew, eliminates odors, and helps leave surfaces shiny.
Sal Suds or Dawn Ultra: The surfactant in the dish soap cuts through grease, dirt, and soap scum and helps the solution cling to vertical surfaces so it can work longer.
Essential oils (lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, tea tree): These oils add a pleasant scent and offer antifungal and antibacterial properties that help treat and reduce mold and mildew while deodorizing surfaces.
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Please note: Products mentioned here have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional for any health concerns.