Keeping your bathroom surfaces clean is not only important for aesthetic purposes but also for maintaining good hygiene. However, getting rid of hard water stains, soap scum, and grime from your tub and tile can be quite a challenging task. That’s why finding the best shower cleaner is crucial to keep your bathroom sparkling clean.
To produce this article, we’ve tested a batch of the most popular shower cleaners in the market to find out which one is the most effective. We’ve cleaned all kinds of surfaces, from tile and grout to plastic, metal, and glass. In addition to their cleaning power, we’ve also considered other important factors such as the spray pattern, antimicrobial properties, and cost per ounce. The aim is that you get the best bathtub cleaner on the market.
With our independent reviews (we are not sponsored by brands, firms, companies, etc.), you’ll be able to choose the best shower cleaning products for your bathroom cleaning needs. No more dealing with stubborn water stains or unsightly soap scum – just a fresh, clean space that’s always ready to use. Whether you’re looking for a strong yet gentle formula, a pleasant scent, or an eco-friendly option, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s dive in and discover the best shower cleaners that will keep your bathroom spotless. Note that cleaning your shower is not like cleaning your oven or your hardwood floor.
1. Bucko Shower Cleaner – Best Shower Cleaner For All Surfaces, Mold, Tiles
Why do you need the best shower cleaner?
Let’s face it, your shower is a place of high traffic and collects a lot of dirt and debris. By using the best shower cleaner or the best bathtub cleaner, you can have a nice clean shower that is void of germs, bacteria, mold, and mildew.
A clean shower will most likely smell nice and give others the image that you are a clean person. Also, having a clean organized shower just looks more aesthetically pleasing. Showers are a place in your house that build lots of mold and mildew.
All types of microscopic organisms like to grow and live in the shower area because it is a place with lots of exposed water. Remember, water is the essential ingredient of life, so naturally bacteria and germs like to congregate in this area. Showers are also highly susceptible to hard water issues, especially if you have glass shower curtains.
When drops of hard water dry on the glass, the water evaporates and leaves behind mineral deposits. And when this hard water is combined with soap, it creates a really nasty soapy mixture that sticks to your glass. The soap itself will have mineral deposits and dirt so this combination leaves terrible-looking streak marks on your shower walls.
Best Shower Cleaner | Best Bathtub Cleaner Reviews
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- The Bucko Soap Scum & Grime Remover Shower Cleaner (Top Pick)
- Wet and Forget Shower Cleaner – Best Brand
- Granite Gold Shower Cleaner – Best for Marble and Stone Bathrooms
- Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner – Best Overall
- Kaboom Foam-Tastic Bathroom Cleaner – Best Value
- Method Bathroom Cleaner – Best Non Toxic
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1. The Bucko Soap Scum & Grime Remover Shower Cleaner – Best Overall for all surfaces, shower doors, scrub, grout
The Bucko Soap Scum and Grime Remover is the best shower cleaner if you are looking for a heavy-duty all-purpose cleaner. The best part about this product is that it is pH neutral: so no bleach, no acids, and no harsh chemicals.
This cleaner has commercial strength, so it dissolves those tough-to-remove stains, grime, and soap scum. It works great on acrylic tubs, baby tubs, showers, sinks, glass shower doors, and even chrome on your tires.
It leaves a nice refreshing scent and a brilliant shine as well. All you have to do is spray some on the surface and let it settle for about a minute and wipe off with either a clean or moist towel. It is amazing how the Bucko Cleaner is so non-invasive yet cleans so well.
In terms of cleaning power and efficacy, we would rate this right next to the powerful bleaches, acid, and solutions with harsh chemicals. But with those solutions, there is always the risk of harming yourself. With the Bucko, it is such a user-friendly solution that you don’t have to wear gloves when applying this.
Who wouldn’t want a powerful cleaner that isn’t made of harsh chemicals and could damage your skin? The only pitfall with the Bucko is that we would not recommend it be used on natural stone. For that, you will need a specialty shower cleaner. Overall it is the best shower cleaner for tile and grout but can also be used on other surfaces.
- All-purpose cleaner for most surfaces
- pH neutral with no harsh chemicals
- High efficacity
- Not to be used on natural stones
2. Wet and Forget Shower Cleaner – Best Brand and Best for No Scrubbing
Wet and Forget is the best bathtub cleaner without scrubbing. In essence, this is a product made for those who are “lazy” and want the easiest way to clean shower grout without scrubbing. The system is designed to where you only spray down your shower, fixtures, curtains, glass, and bathroom once per week and just leave it there.
No scrubbing or wiping is required. The next day you just need to rinse the sprayed-down areas with water. Wet and Forget uses dual surfactants to achieve this hands-off solution.
The first surfactant acts to dissolve grime, dirt, and soap scum over time. The second surfactant soaks up body oils. These surfactants are designed to be slow reacting so they work through all the dirt and grime throughout the week.
The great part about the Wet and Forget shower cleaner is that it doesn’t use bleach, ammonia, acids, or any harsh chemicals or fumes. That’s one of the main reasons why we like this non-scrubbing shower cleaner.
So instead of smelling like harsh chemicals, you get a nice crisp vanilla scent. We also like the spray bottle, which has a stronger stream and doesn’t just mist like some of the other shower cleaners. You can really target certain areas with this spray. One bottle of the Wet and Forget lasts about 12 weeks, so well worth the investment.
- Easily detachable spray nozzle with extension hose for a full range of movement
- Good quantity from a great brand
- The jug is a bit cumbersome to lug around
3. Granite Gold Shower Cleaner – Best for Granite, Marble, and Stones
Granite Gold is the best shower cleaner for natural stone. Note that natural stone and granite need special treatment because they are rather porous rocks and easily soak up dirt and debris that becomes very hard to remove.
Regular shower cleaners can damage natural stone, so it is much better to play it safe and use a special shower cleaner designed for stone. Granite Gold’s special formula deep cleans marble, granite, ceramic, and other natural stone shower walls, and tubs without causing any kind of damage.
It is incredibly non-invasive, so non-acidic, non-abrasive, non-toxic, and biodegradable. It also doesn’t contain bleach, phosphates, or ammonia. We really like Granite Gold’s products and vouch for them in terms of cleaning or conditioning granite, marble, and other stones.
They have definitely done their research and figured out which chemicals react best with what types of stone. Natural stone is already pretty expensive so please don’t risk damaging them by using some cheap household cleaner. There is a reason why a specialized company like Granite Gold exists: to serve the niche market of cleaning stone products and they have developed the best shower cleaner for marble tile and the best shower cleaner for stone tile.
- No ammonia and other harmful chemicals
- A good solution for marble and rocks
- Only for stone-type surfaces
4. Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner – Best Overall
The Clorox Bathroom Cleaner is the best shower cleaner for those who want a dirt-cheap bathroom cleaner. There is nothing amazing about this product other than the price and high-quality cleaning. That’s right, we want to be upfront about this.
Sure, it doesn’t add negative value in that it doesn’t make your shower walls dirtier, but it also doesn’t really have that much cleaning power to remove those deep stains and grime. It really is designed to cover large areas.
We like it as a general spray cleaner for your entire bathroom as a first pass. Anything that you did not pick up the first time around, you should then spray down with a more powerful cleaner like the Bucko or even the Wet and Forget.
The Clorox Bathroom Cleaner doesn’t leave any residue but also it doesn’t leave your bathroom shiny. It is good at killing bacteria and 99% of common germs and removes mold and mildew with some scrubbing. All in all, this is a great general shower cleaner, but for those tough-to-remove stains, we would look into a more powerful cleaner.
- Spray surfaces evenly
- Dissolves stains quickly
- Bleach smell
5. Kaboom Foam-Tastic Bathroom Cleaner – Best Value for tub and tile, hard water, and stains
Kaboom Foam-Tastic Bathroom Cleaner is a game-changing cleaner that is highly effective and comes with no harsh chemicals, making it safe to use on various surfaces found in your bathroom.
This Cleaner is the best shower cleaner for hard water and is specially formulated not to stain surfaces when used as directed. It is ideal for cleaning tubs, ceramic tiles, chrome fixtures, glass shower doors, vinyl shower curtains, countertops, and sinks.
This product can tackle tough dirt and grime, with no hard scrubbing required to break up soap scum and crusty stains from hard water, lime, and calcium.
It is also effective for getting rid of grease and dirt. You’ll like the fact that it cleans with a refreshing lemon citrus scent that leaves your entire bathroom smelling clean and fresh after every use. So, the Kaboom is not only the best cleaner for hard water stains on glass, but also provides a nice fragrance in your bathroom.
Overall, Kaboom Cleaner is an excellent choice for anyone who wants an effective and easy-to-use bathroom cleaner. With no harsh chemicals, it is safe for use on various surfaces, and its tough cleaning action saves you time and effort. And it works wonders as a hard water shower cleaner product.
- Very strong cleaning power
- Foaming action spray is great for spot-cleaning
- Low cost per ounce
- Not to be used for large surfaces
6. Method Bathroom Cleaner – Best Non Toxic
Method Bathroom Cleaner is the best shower cleaner for mold. It keeps your bathroom clean and mold-free and creates a healthy home environment. It contains four 28-ounce bottles of bathroom cleaner and is a bleach-free formula made with plant-based cleaning power that is also biodegradable.
While it removes mold and mildew stains, it also helps dissolve soap scum and fights grime on showers, tiles, tubs, chrome, and fixtures. Additionally, this cruelty-free product is tested by people and not on animals.
The Method Antibacterial product not only cleans and disinfects your bathroom surfaces, but it also leaves a crisp Eucalyptus Mint scent with notes of bergamot, citron, and lime leaf. Its spray technology cuts through grime and soap scum, making it an easy and effective way to keep your bathroom clean.
While this product may come with excellent benefits, the main downside is its price. However, the effectiveness and ease of use may be worth it. If you want a product that is the best mold and mildew remover for showers and provides a safe and effective way to clean your bathroom, the Method Bathroom Cleaner may be what you need.
- The best non-toxic solution as a tub and tile cleaner
- Can be used as your daily shower cleaner
- Great rid of stains easily
- A bit expensive but worth it
Final Verdict
The Clorox cleaner takes the top spot for the best overall product. It effectively cleans and disinfects various bathroom surfaces, including floors, sinks, toilets, and tubs. Having said so, the Bucko soap shower cleaner is one of the top picks for removing tough soap scum and grime in the shower.
For those looking for a non-toxic option, the Method cleaner is the best choice, providing a safe and effective cleaning solution. Note that the Wet and Forget cleaner is an excellent brand known for its efficiency and effectiveness in removing mildew.
If you have marble or stone bathrooms, the Granite Gold cleaner is the best product for cleaning stones and rocks without causing damage.
Finally, for those on a budget, the Kaboom cleaner offers the best value, providing a deep clean at an affordable price.
Now if you want the best mold remover for a shower, then the Method Bathroom Cleaner is what you need. It is especially good because it is biodegradable and made of non-toxic compounds.
Overall, it is essential to choose the right cleaning product that suits your needs and preferences to achieve a clean, hygienic, and aesthetically pleasing bathroom.
The best bathroom cleaner – Buyer’s Guide
Every shower is unique. And each shower can become filled with soap scum, mold, hard water stains, and other grime. So, finding the right cleaning product can support you maintain your shower. Below are four factors you should consider as you’re making a selection:
- Type
- Cleaning product
- Fragrance
- Grime
1. Consider the type of surface to be cleaned
It’s very important to consider the specific materials that need cleaning. If you have glass doors in your shower stall, then it’s essential to choose a cleaner for glass shower doors that won’t leave streaks or damage the surface. However, if you have natural stone tiles or other hard surfaces, then you’ll want to opt for a natural tub and tile cleaner that won’t cause any damage or discoloration.
Additionally, it’s important to pay attention to the shower floor, as some cleaners may be too abrasive or damaging to certain materials. To make sure that you’re using the best cleaner for your shower’s surfaces, be sure to read the label carefully and look for specific recommendations for tile, glass, and other materials.
2. Choose the best shower cleaner type that suits your needs
Choosing the type of cleaner that suits your needs can make a significant impact on your overall shower-cleaning experience. When it comes to keeping your shower clean, there are different types of shower cleaners, such as foam, cream, and liquid.
Experts agree that foam cleaners are the easiest type of cleaners to use. They require minimal scrubbing, as the foam bubbles break down the grime and as such do most of the work for you.
Unfortunately, cream and liquid cleaners need some vigorous scrubbing action to activate them. That’s why, when you select the type of cleaner, you need to go for the best cleaner for your end use (i.e., mold, etc.).
3. Select a fragrance you like
When it comes to selecting a fragrance for a bathroom, it is preferable to use a cleaner that has a nice smell and scent. The smell should make you feel refreshed without smelling too overpowering. There are many shower cleaners on the market that come with a variety of scents ranging from natural fragrances like lavender or lemon to chemical-like smells.
You should try and avoid bleach-like smells as these are chemical based. We find that a cleaner with a light fragrance not only helps to get rid of any unwanted odors but also adds a touch and sense of good feeling to a bathroom. With the right scent, cleaning the bathroom can be more enjoyable and less of a chore, which is why you should always make sure to carefully select the right scent product for your needs.
Note that sometimes there’s a bad urine smell coming from your shower drain. So you may have to resolve yourselves in getting the best bathroom cleaner for urine smell. For this, you may need to use two different products. One that is bleach made to clean the bad-smelling bacteria (like the Clorox product) and one that provides a great scent small like the method bathroom solution.
4. Define which type of grime you want to remove
Before choosing a cleaner to tackle grime in your bathroom, it’s important to define the type of grime you want to remove. This will ensure that you select the most suitable product for your needs. If you want to prevent mold and mildew in your bathroom, you should look for products that specifically mention this feature on the label.
For instance, some cleaners contain chemicals that kill mold, while others may have scrubbing bubbles that effectively remove soap scum. Depending on the level of grime in your bathroom, you may also need to use a professional-strength cleaner to tackle tough stains, such as those caused by hard water or rust.
While all-purpose cleaners can generally remove basic grime, they may not be enough to fully clean a shower that hasn’t been cleaned in months. By choosing a grime-specific cleaner, you can ensure that your bathroom is thoroughly cleaned and protected from mold and other harmful bacteria. Overall, it is not enough to choose a product that says “best shower grime cleaner”, you really need to identify the type of grime first and then select the corresponding best product.
What you need to know about the best shower cleaner for mold and mildew, glass shower doors, tough stains, soap scum, grime, etc.
When it comes to cleaning showers, many people really have no idea where to start. Actually, most people start with a general household cleaner, which is most likely a bad idea and definitely not the best shower cleaner. This is because most common household cleaners tend to be more alkaline basic with a pH great than 7. Bleach, for example, is a very basic household cleaner with a very high pH. Hard water marks and soap marks need something more acidic in order to break down mineral deposits on your shower walls. So basically the rule of thumb is you want something a bit more harsh when it comes to cleaning showers.
There is a lot more dirt and debris build up in the shower area than in other places so you will most likely need a tougher shower cleaner. Also, keep in mind that the type of shower cleaner you use will depend on the type of material that lines your shower walls. Granite and natural stone will need to be treated differently from glass, ceramic tiles, or plastic. This is because the stone is a more sensitive material and needs special care. We recommend using a pH-neutral shower cleaner solution for sensitive materials like granite and stone. There are some products that are also developed to be pH-neutral shower tile cleaners.
Frequently asked question – FAQ
How do I clean my shower doors?
Cleaning shower surfaces can be a challenging task, but it is important to keep them sparkling clean for hygiene purposes. The shower doors are usually the first to get dirty as they constantly get exposed to water, soap, and other shower products. To clean the shower doors, it is necessary to analyze the grime or dirt on them before choosing the appropriate cleaner.
While hard water stains require an abrasive cleaner accompanied by a damp sponge, soap scum can be removed using a foam cleaner. It is advisable to clean the shower doors on a weekly basis to avoid the accumulation of dirt and grime which could eventually lead to permanent staining or damage. In essence, maintaining the cleanliness of the shower doors is essential as it enhances the entire look of the bathroom and creates a cozy environment for the ultimate showering experience.
What is a good shower cleaner?
There are many good shower cleaner options available in the market. But the best shower cleaner is the one that targets the stains you are dealing with. For hard water stains, you will need an abrasive cleaner that can penetrate the buildup with a damp sponge. On the other hand, for soap scum, a foam cleaner that can break down the residue with an abrasive sponge will be effective.
It is important to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and to always wear gloves when handling these types of cleaning products. With the right shower cleaner, you can restore your shower doors to their original shine and ensure a clean and healthy environment in your bathroom.
Can you use shower cleaners on other bathroom surfaces?
The answer is generally yes. Most shower cleaners are formulated to be safe on ceramic, tile, porcelain, glass, and plastic, but it’s always a good idea to double-check the label’s instructions before using it on other surfaces. Additionally, it’s recommended to perform a spot test on an inconspicuous area to ensure that it won’t damage the surface or cause discoloration. Keep in mind that different cleaners may be better suited for different surfaces, so choose the right product for the job to get the best results and avoid any potential damage.
What is the best way to deep clean your shower?
Before you start cleaning, it’s important to remove any bottles, shower caddies, and curtains from the area. Now, take a good-quality cleaning solution and apply it generously throughout the shower, including the doors. Let the solution work its way through the dirt for a few minutes. This will allow it to work its magic on the grime and dirt.
While you’re waiting for the solution to do its job, clean other items, such as throwing the shower curtains in the washer on a gentle cycle. To get sparkling clean walls, use a scrub brush and scrub the walls from top to bottom. Scrubbing will get rid of any grime, excess soap residue, and any mildew that might be present.
Once you’re done scrubbing, rinse off any leftover grime or cleaning solution with water. After you’ve cleaned everything and have given everything a good rinse, it’s time to put everything back in its place. Following this process will give your shower a deep clean, leaving it sparkling and fresh.
What is the most important point to follow for a clean shower?
Just because you have the best shower cleaner or the best bathtub cleaner, doesn’t mean you should slack on cleaning your shower. Remember, the shower doesn’t consist of just the walls. There is also the shower head, the floor, the plug, the tub, the curtains, and the tiles and grout. The most important part of proper shower maintenance is cleaning often.
Ideally, you should be cleaning your shower at least once every few days. The best shower cleaner won’t just do work automatically. You need to find the time yourself to put in the hours. We have reviewed and sampled a wide selection of shower cleaners in our lab. Each one was tested side by side to see their effects on dirt, debris, and watermarks. Please see below for our top picks.
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