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The Best Shower Cleaning Products
Updated on Sep. 20, 2024
Grime simply won’t wash away properly in a dirty shower—that’s why it’s important to keep tubs clear of mold and mildew. But cleaning a shower isn’t as simple as spraying any old bottle of bleach. In fact, your best bet when faced with a dirty shower is to start with the best shower cleaner for your situation.
According to cleaning influencer Sharon Garcia—also known on TikTok as the CEO of Cleaning—finding the right product is a matter of first identifying the type of grime you’re dealing with. “There are various types of shower cleaners, including daily shower sprays, mold and mildew removers and cleaners to remove rust,” she says. “Daily sprays are designed for regular maintenance to prevent soap scum and grime buildup. Mold and mildew removers are formulated to tackle mold stains. Deep cleaners are more aggressive and used for periodic thorough cleaning.”
With so many options out there, it’s tough to pick just one cleaner to do the job. We did our research to find the best shower cleaners for every situation, so you can focus on scrubbing. Stock up and enjoy a sparkling shower without splurging on sprays that don’t slay soap scum.
The Best Shower Cleaners
- Best Overall: The Pink Stuff
- Best Brush: Drill Brush Attachments
- Best for Glass: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Scrubber
- Best for Tile: Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser
- Best for Mold and Mildew: RMR-141 Mold and Mildew Killer
- Best Foaming: Kaboom Foam-Tastic Bathroom Cleaner
- Best Non-Toxic Shower Cleaner: Better Life Bathroom Cleaner
- Most Easy to Use: Wet & Forget Shower Cleaner
Best Overall Shower Cleaner
The Pink Stuff
Pros:
- Works on nearly every surface, including glass, stainless steel and tile
- Requires just a dab to clean large areas
- Won't scratch delicate surfaces
- Subtle scent
Cons:
- Requires some elbow grease
The Pink Stuff
Anyone who is on TikTok—or who has read any of the nearly 200,000 positive Amazon reviews—has likely heard of The Pink Stuff. It’s not just the product’s popularity that helps it top our list as the overall best shower cleaner. This miracle cleaning paste is unmistakably bright pink and comes in a generously sized jar. Simply scoop some out and massage it onto nearly any surface—tile, glass, stainless steel or wood—then rinse. The lightly abrasive nature pulls away years of built-up mildew, soap sum and rust without scratching delicate surfaces like glass shower doors.
“Call me crazy, but scrubbing my sink with The Pink Stuff is so satisfying,” says Associate Shopping Editor Maddi Koetting in her review of The Pink Stuff. “The best part is spraying it down. I swear my sink sparkles after using the cleaning paste. It always looks noticeably brighter and never fails to impress me.”
Best Shower Cleaner Brush
Drill Brush Attachments
Pros:
- Attaches to nearly any cordless drill
- Assortment of sizes and abrasiveness
- Inexpensive
- Faster than hand scrubbing
Cons:
- Requires a drill to use
Take your cleaning to the next level with one of the best shower cleaning products on the market, and make your bathroom shine with this editor-loved drill brush attachment. Using a cordless drill and drill brush attachment on shower tiles (especially those hard-to-reach corners) cuts down on the amount of time and effort you’ll spend scrubbing.
Plus, with the combination of a drill, brush attachments and common household cleaning products, you can achieve a more thorough cleaning compared to using a towel or a non-electric, hand-held scrubber
Best Shower Cleaner for Glass
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Scrubber
Pros:
- Doesn't require extra sprays or foaming agents
- Cuts through hard water, soap scum, grime on grout, hairspray and toothpaste residue
- Pleasant lavender scent
- Doesn't require much pressure while scrubbing
Cons:
- May scratch more delicate surfaces
Cut through tough soap scum build-up with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Scrubber. Simply activate the sponge with water and start scrubbing. The main ingredient in the Magic Eraser? Melamine foam, made of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. This foam is an effective sponge-like material. The combination of hard and soft structures within the “sponge” is what makes the magic.
In our review of the Magic Eraser, Alexa Erickson says, “The first time I used a Magic Eraser, I simply couldn’t stop.” She continues, “I scrubbed every surface until no mark was left untouched. The magic of this eraser had won me over. And it remains an important part of my cleaning toolkit.
On Sale
Best Shower Cleaner for Tile
Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser
Pros:
- Removes rust, tarnish, mineral deposits and tough stains
- Works on most surfaces, including stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic and chrome
- Won't damage or scratch surfaces
Cons:
- Chemical smell may be unpleasant to some
A jack-of-all-trades cleaner, Bar Keepers Friend will get your tub, tile and glass clean with just a little elbow grease. It’s fantastic at cutting through hard water buildup. “Start by smearing the glass or tile with a paste of warm water and Bar Keepers Friend,” says Melissa Homer, a chief cleaning officer at Maid Pro.
“Let it sit for 10 minutes so the oxalic acid in the powder can dissolve the mineral deposits, and then get scrubbing with the back of a scrubby sponge. The only real limit for Bar Keepers Friend in the shower is polished and acid-sensitive stones like marble, travertine and limestone, which can dissolve and dull when exposed to the oxalic acid in Bar Keeper’s Friend,” explains Homer.
On Sale
Best Shower Cleaner for Mold and Mildew
RMR-141 Mold and Mildew Killer
Pros:
- Cleans, sanitizes, kills mold and eliminates odors
- Works on nearly any surface
- No chemical smell
- EPA-registered
Cons:
- Pricey
Reach for a bleach bathroom cleaner like RMR-141 Mold and Mildew Killer to kill mold on grout. It cleans surfaces, eliminates odors and suffocates mold in a single step. As a bonus, it’s safe for the environment and doesn’t give off harsh chemical scents like most mold removers.
This will treat the mold temporarily, but fixing the problem takes a little more work. “Bleach the grout white one last time and let it dry,” says Homer. “Then seal it in with the sealant so all the mold growing behind the tiles starve to death. Reseal your grout at least every three years, or whenever you see moldy evidence that the product has worn off.” Homer recommends Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator Sealer to do the job.
On Sale
Best Foaming Shower Cleaner
Kaboom Foam-Tastic Bathroom Cleaner
Pros:
- Pulls up gunk and stains as it sits
- Changes color to indicate when it's ready to wipe away
- Foam application easily sticks to shower doors and walls
- No strong scents
Cons:
- May require a bit of scrubbing on built-up scum
Some folks have less time to clean than others, so they prefer a product that does most of the work for them. Kaboom Foam-Tastic Bathroom Cleaner is a great alternative to shower cleaners that require lots of scrubbing.
Instead of using elbow grease and a scouring pad to lift off soap scum and water stains, spray Kaboom onto bathroom surfaces and wait for the blue foam to change color. While it’s working, use that time to clean the toilet or wipe down bathroom cabinets. Then, once the foam turns white, simply wipe it away.
Best Non-Toxic Shower Cleaner
Better Life Bathroom Cleaner
Pros:
- No petroleum solvents, chlorine, bleach, alcohols, parabens, SLS or SLES
- Safe for use around kids and pets
- Fresh, natural tea tree oil scent
- Foam sticks easily to shower walls
Cons:
- Does not work on rust or red iron stains
Better Life Bathroom Cleaner boasts over 17,000 positive reviews on Amazon, making it one of the highest-rated non-toxic cleaners on the site. This gentle but effective shower and bath cleaning spray uses the power of tea tree oil to leave bathrooms sparkly clean without any harsh smells.
While some natural home cleaning products don’t work on set-in stains, Better Life foaming cleaner sits for five to 10 minutes and breaks down the grime present in both showers and grout. It easily slashes through soap scum, rust and hard water stains without fumes or funny fragrances.
On Sale
Most Easy to Use Shower Cleaner
Wet & Forget Shower Cleaner
Pros:
- Simple spray-on application
- No scrubbing or rinsing required
- Eliminates and prevents hard water stains and calcium buildup
- Pleasant vanilla scent
Cons:
- Not recommended for natural marble
Stretch the time between deep cleans by using Wet & Forget Shower Cleaner as a daily cleaning treatment. Unlike other shower and bathtub cleaners, Wet & Forget doesn’t require any scrubbing or rinsing. Simply spray this lightly vanilla-scented shower spray on all shower surfaces once a day to keep hard water stains and calcium deposits at bay.
By using this shower spray daily and gently cleaning away soap scum, grime and body oils, fewer stains build up on surfaces over time. That means fewer deep cleanings are needed per month, making this the perfect pick for busy families.
What to Look for When Buying Shower Cleaners
When it comes to cleaning agents, there are a few things to consider—including how often you plan on cleaning. ““There are various types of shower cleaners, including daily shower sprays, mold and mildew removers, cleaners to remove rust,” she says. “Daily sprays are designed for regular maintenance to prevent soap scum and grime buildup. Mold and mildew removers are formulated to tackle mold stains. Deep cleaners are more aggressive and used for periodic thorough cleaning.”
According to Garcia, it’s worth looking out for products that exclude harsh chemicals, strong fumes that irritate our eyes, skin or respiratory tracts, or cause harm over long term exposure. “To stay safe from common cleaning irritants, always use cleaning products in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves to protect your skin. Read product labels and follow safety instructions from Safety Data Sheets (SDS),” she says. She notes that some common irritants include:
- Ammonia: Ammonia can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. Do not with bleach, as it can produce toxic fumes.
- Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite): Bleach is a strong disinfectant and can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Use with caution and proper ventilation.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): These compounds can be found in various cleaning products and may contribute to indoor air pollution. Look for low-VOC or VOC-free options.
Those sensitive to chemicals should consider trying a cleaning product for those with allergies. “Natural cleaners like white vinegar can be effective at breaking down soap scum, mineral deposits, and mildew,” says Garcia. “A mixture of vinegar and water (1:1) can be used as a daily cleaner. Add baking soda for extra scrubbing power. Vinegar does work but to a certain extent, it won’t disinfect or kill viruses.”
Why You Should Trust Us
As a working mom of three, I love making our 100-year-old house a home, inside and out. I’m a freelance writer and copy editor for Meredith Premium Publishing and the former editor of Country Home and Lowe’s Creative Ideas. Emily Way is an Associate Shopping Editor for Family Handyman with experience researching products and recommending the best designs to consumers. She researched and updated this piece.
Way consulted Melissa Homer, Chief Cleaning Officer at Maid Pro and Sharon Garcia, the TikTok “CEO of Cleaning.” Sharon Garcia is a highly regarded cleaning influencer, who engages a broad audience through her captivating videos showcasing a variety of cleaning tips and tricks. Her expertise offers practical solutions for maintaining clean and organized spaces in both English and Spanish.
How We Found the Best Shower Cleaners
When we clean our showers, it’s important to use products that are gentle yet powerful enough to use on delicate surfaces like tile and glass. Our criteria for the best shower cleaners include affordability, performance and ease of use. We consulted cleaning experts and found picks backed by science, while also combing through hundreds of reviews to see how the product performs for the average person. We also personally tested two of the picks on this list—The Pink Stuff and Magic Erasers—ensuring that the low cost and product quality make them smart picks for nearly any bathroom cleaning job.
FAQ
How do I clean my shower?
Garcia’s biggest tip is to minimize the number of products used. “For example, you can use products like Fabuloso’s multi-purpose cleaner on sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, kitchen and bathroom floors, sealed wood surfaces, appliances, counters, windows, mirrors, walls, doorknobs and furniture,” she says. “All you have to do is mix 1/8 cup in a gallon of water, pour on a sponge and clean.”
More tips include:
- Match the cleaner to the surface material of your shower. Always read labels and instructions.
- Use soft sponges or brushes for delicate surfaces and abrasive scrubbers for tougher stains.
- Always test a small, inconspicuous area before using a new cleaner or sponge to ensure it doesn’t damage the surface.
- Use a squeegee to wipe down glass doors and tiles to prevent water spots.
- Keep the shower area well-ventilated to prevent mold and mildew.
- Replace grout and caulk as needed to prevent water leakage and mold growth.
“Remember, safety and regular maintenance are key to keeping your shower clean and safe,” says Garcia. “To eliminate mold and mildew from a shower, use a cleaner specifically designed for this purpose. I’ve used hydrogen peroxide as a mold and mildew remover—it’s fast and effective. You can also use a mixture of vinegar and water. Apply the cleaner, let it sit for a while and scrub with a brush or sponge. Ensure proper ventilation to discourage mold growth,” she notes.
How do I clean years of soap scum?
Removing soap scum is notoriously difficult. However, stores offer several products designed specifically for that purpose:
- Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Grime Fighter penetrates soap scum and disinfects at the same time.
- Bar Keeper’s Friend Soft Cleanser is mildly abrasive and contains oxalic acid to cut through soap scum.
- Rejuvenate Soap Scum Remover is a miracle worker! Spray it on your shower doors, tile and fixtures. Wait three minutes, then scrub and rinse clean.
When it comes to preventing soap scum, daily maintenance is key. “Regularly rinse the shower after use to reduce soap scum and grime buildup,” advises Garcia.
