Homemade Daily Shower Spray Cleaner
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A few quick sprays of this no-wipe homemade daily shower cleaning spray keep mold, mildew, and soap scum away.
What Does a Daily Shower Cleaning Spray Do?
My bathroom doesn’t get a lot of light, so I used to constantly find slimy orange mildew growing in my shower’s corners just a few days after I’d cleaned it. For a while, I tried the Scrubbing Bubbles automatic shower cleaner which sprays the walls daily, but not enough of the solution made it to the base of the walls to stop that mildew growth in the corners. Plus, I didn’t like the way it made my bathroom smell like a chemical factory.
Then I found a recipe for a homemade daily shower cleaning spray online, but it relied on a dishwasher rinse aid combined with other ingredients. Since the rinse aid manufacturer doesn’t disclose what ingredients it uses, that kind of recipe makes me worry I’d be creating a dangerous cleaning combination that could cause all sorts of health issues. So, I set out to make my own.
Prevents Mold and Mildew
The ingredients in this homemade daily shower cleaning spray have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Spraying them on your shower’s walls, curtain, doors, and floor keeps mold and mildew from forming. Thanks to this easy recipe and about 5 seconds of spray time after I’ve showered, I haven’t seen that yucky orange mildew slime in years.
Prevents Soap Scum
This spray also keeps soap scum off of your shower and tub surfaces. If you’ve ever found a thick, greasy layer of grime on your shower walls, it’s from soap scum buildup. It’s not usually a problem for people who use body wash, which doesn’t contain the fatty substances that soap does. But for those of us who like our bar soaps, it can be a real hassle.
So, this daily shower spray recipe cuts through the film that soap leaves and keeps it from building up in your tub and shower. (If you already have a bad buildup, you’ll want to use my homemade soap scum remover recipe to get rid of it then switch to this for daily maintenance.)
Use the Right Daily Shower Spray Cleaner Version
Below you’ll find two versions of my daily shower cleaning spray. I came up with a second one because my son’s shower has granite walls and vinegar isn’t good to use on those. (Plus, he hates the smell of it.) Both daily shower spray recipes prevent mold, mildew, and soap scum. So, it’s really a matter of preference which one you use.
As far as spray bottles, feel free to reuse an old one from other products – just be sure you’ve washed it very well, including the spray tube and nozzle. Or check out my list of Recommended Products for the $6 spray bottle set I’ve been using for a decade.
Homemade Daily Shower Spray
Safe for or fiberglass, acrylic, ceramic or porcelain tile, vinyl, and glass surfaces.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 5 drops essential oils (optional) – (peppermint, tea tree, or lavender provide additional mild disinfection)
Instructions
- Add ingredients to a spray bottle and shake.
- Spray the walls, doors, and floor of your shower and tub. Use it on shower curtains, too. Let surfaces air dry. There’s no need to rinse, wipe, or squeegee.
- Store unused spray in a cool, dark place and shake well before each use.
Homemade Vinegar-Free Daily Shower Spray
For granite, marble, quartz, and other natural stone surfaces
- 1/2 cup isopropyl alcohol of 70% or stronger
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 5 drops essential oils (optional) – (peppermint, tea tree, or lavender provide additional mild disinfection)
Instructions
- Add ingredients to a spray bottle and shake.
- Spray the walls, doors, and floor of your shower and tub. Use it on shower curtains, too. Let surfaces air dry. There’s no need to rinse, wipe, or squeegee.
- Store unused spray in a cool, dark spot away from flame and direct sunlight. Shake well before each use.
Comment: I love your website! I am attempting to reform my poor housekeeping skills, and your advice, especially the natural cleaners recipes, are very helpful. Thank you for your hard work, and your leadership and inspiration!
Question: I have been using the vinegar based daily shower spray for a few days, and I like the cleaning results, but the hubs is not pleased with the constant vinegar smell in our bathroom (the smell is actually pretty strong in our adjacent bedroom, which I think is the bigger complaint, for me, too, honestly.) I noticed that some of your recipes have essential oils added. Would adding essential oils freshen up the lingering smell from the daily shower spraying? I wanted to get your advice before running out to buy the oils…
Thank you so much, again, for all your great advice!
Diana
Hi Diana! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my website. Like your husband, mine doesn’t like the vinegar smell, either. Essential oils definitely can improve the vinegar smell — just be sure they’re not oil blends. (Some brands add essential oils to grapeseed or other neutral oils, and those are best for use on the body/bath, not for cleaning.) I bought this set when I first started using oils and have been really pleased with the company’s quality. (That’s an Amazon link; I don’t work for their company. LOL)
Another thing that helps is running the bathroom fan for 15 minutes or so after you’ve sprayed. That also prevents mildew, so it’s a win-win solution!
hi Katie! I would like to know, do we need to rince it after? When do you do it? After each shower, after the last shower of the day?
No need to rinse, Danielle. After the last shower of the day is fine!
Hey, I leave my bathroom window open after the shower since I don’t have a fan. I assume you’re putting your fan on during your shower?
Thanks for this great website, it’s so helpful! I just wanted to clarify the daily routine, spray with homemade spray then “wipe”, but what do you recommend to wipe with – a squeegee, cloth (microfibre, cotton, or…?), or a paper towel?
Hey, you’re making extra work for yourself, Terry! There’s nothing in the recipe or the daily routine about wiping the shower after using the daily spray… that’s what makes it convenient!
Does this work well on glass shower doors too?
This works to prevent mildew, mold and soap scum on tile, glass, and fiberglass. It’s very important that you first get rid of any soap scum, then this spray will prevent more from accumulating. Fortunately, getting rid of the soap scum isn’t difficult. Try my homemade soap scum remover — you spray it on, wait a while, then wipe the nasty stuff away.
Wow that’s amazing thanks so much Katie! Sorry I misread the weekly spray and wipe for the daily.
If you spray daily yourself, after the last person has finished, must you stand in the shower to get the inside of the glass door? My door folds and you cannot reach all of it without closing it.
I’d just fold it a little and reach around to spray the inside of the door, Mary. If that’s not possible then, yes, you’d need to stand in the shower to spray the door.
Which is safe to use on natural stone? I heard vinegar is not safe to use on stone showers?
thank you.
The vinegar-free alternative is provided for those who have natural stone.
Hi there, loving the advice!
I am curious if I am not loving the smell of vinegar for my regular fiberglass shower could I just use the one for stone and marble?
Thanks for all your help.
You sure could, though it won’t get your fiberglass as shiny as the other recipe.
I have an acrylic shower stall. Is there a daily cleaner that safely cleans it? Thank you
The vinegar-based daily shower spray is safe for acrylic showers.
I’m a renter and our mold/mildew issues are on the painted drywall ceiling. Despite deep cleaning and after shower spray, we still can see the mold stains in the paint and using store bought or homemade cleaners result in the paint coming off on sponge or scrubber. Any ideas? Thank you!
Well, there’s a difference between living mold spores and the stain left behind after you’ve killed the mold. If you’ve treated it properly, and you can’t clean it away, you need to apply Kilz (or another primer) then repaint.
The bottom of my tub is not smooth, and I can’t seem to get clean Even though I’ve used bleach and I’m afraid to use sos pad.. please help. I look dirty.
No, don’t use an SOS pad! Try this homemade soft scrub cleanser. Get the tub lightly damp, sprinkle the scrubbing powder on, then rub with a sponge or cloth and rinse repeatedly. After that, use the daily shower spray daily to keep the grime away.
What’s the expiration date after preparation?
There isn’t one since vinegar acts as a preservative and mold-retardant.
I have a new shower with matte finish ceramic tile and shiny chrome finish fixtures including 3 grab bars. Is this safe for the chrome finish and if so, should the fixtures be wiped dry?
Also-I have a floating corner seat. Is it enough to just spray under the seat too or should it be wiped off after spraying as it typically takes longer to dry under the seat?
Hi Michelle,
It should be fine on the matte ceramic, chrome fixtures, and corner seat as long as you measure properly. Sometimes, with homemade cleaners, we get so used to making them that after several rounds we just eyeball things rather than measuring. The ratio of water and vinegar is important, though, because too much vinegar damages surfaces.
As far as the drying the seat, it’s hard to say without actually seeing the seat since there are so many different styles. It also depends on the material. If it were my shower, and I noticed the underside of the seat never quite dried, I’d spray it daily and make a point to leave the shower door or curtain open. That way, air can circulate and help it dry. If that didn’t do it, I might give it a quick wipe with the washcloth I’d bathed with. But that’s just me. 🙂
Do the ratios stay the same if you are using a 32 oz bottle? Same question for your other cleaning recipes too.
Hi Sarah,
The ratios don’t change. Multiply or divide them as you would with any recipe to adjust the amount needed. Enjoy!
Hi, does it matter what % acidity the vinegar is? i live in NZ, and most of the everyday vinegars here are only 4%, which i know is slightly weaker than is common in other countries. thanks from Julia
You should be okay with that 1% difference, though I’d probably reduce the water to 10 ounces in that situation.
Hello Katie,
I have a routine where after every shower I squeegee the wall tiles and also the bathtub area then I also dry any remaining water on sides and corners of the bathtub with a towel. Now my question, as a third (preventative) step after I have dried up all the moisture then I should spray the mixture of water & vinegar to prevent any mild-dew establishing in future?
Thanks,
Sai
If you squeegee, you could spray this afterwards.
Hello Katie, Recently I noticed this orange grime starting to accumulate on the sides of shower area. I was watching some youtube videos and this person used Toilet bowl cleaner and a brush to get rid of it. Any other recommendations? I dont want to damage the surface of my tiles by using harsh chemicals so what else can i try? Would paste of baking soda and vinegar work? Also why does this happen?
Well, toilet cleaner and a brush would get rid of it because that kind of cleaner relies on bleach. But it could also damage your tiles and grout, along with your shower pan, since it’s not meant for use on such surfaces. It’s mildew, so vinegar could kill it, too. (You won’t be able to make a paste out of baking soda and vinegar — it’ll foam.)
Try a regular bathroom cleaner or my homemade bathroom disinfectant to get rid of it. Then make sure to leave your shower door or curtain halfway open after every shower to allow air circulation, run your bathroom exhaust fan during and for 10 minutes after your shower, and spray the shower walls with this daily shower spray recipe. The combination will keep that mildew from returning.
I have natural stone shower and glass doors, can I use the vinegar free solution on the glass door?
Yes, it will prevent soap scum and mildew on glass shower doors. It’s not a glass polish, though, so if you want to get rid of water spots you’ll want to squeegee or wipe the door after spraying.
Is the alcohol version safe to use with cats who like to lick the tub/shower walls? Their litter box is in the bathroom so I can’t close it off and I can’t stand the smell of vinegar (which I know is safe) but I want to use a daily shower spray.
Thanks!
Yes, if you keep them away until the walls have dried.
Hi Katie. I use your vinegar free shower cleaners as we have tile. But there is some silicone. Will the alcohol, and the vinegar in the glass cleaner, cause problems with the silicone?
Hi Jennifer. Neither vinegar nor rubbing alcohol will damage cured silicone caulk, although if you soak the silicone in alcohol it might swell a bit then go back to size as it dries. That could lead to it pulling away from surfaces over many, many uses —- but that’s all based on applying it full-strength and leaving it soaking wet. With the glass cleaner you mentioned, you wouldn’t be applying it full strength and you’d wipe it away as you cleaned the glass. I’ve been using it on mine for years without problem. As with any caulk, inspect it regularly.
Both my husband and I now have a hard time wiping down the shower walls after showering. We both have serious back issues and can’t stand for that long.
Would these soap scum recipes work if we didn’t dry the walls first?
This is a recipe for daily cleaner. It can prevent soap scum and does not require daily wiping. It does not remove soap scum or hard water spots that have already formed. I have a homemade soap scum remover recipe that does. You’d need to rinse and wipe it after use, then follow with daily application of the shower cleaner to keep more soap scum from forming. Another trick to consider is using a Swiffer duster to wipe your shower walls — just tuck a washable microfiber cloth tucked into the holes and change that daily.