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There’s no such thing as a truly refreshing bathing experience in a shower that looks, or even feels, dirty. To keep the tub, tile, grout, liner and door impeccably clean, laborious scrubbing is rarely necessary. You can normally get by just fine with light cleaning, as long as you do so consistently, and after each use.

DIY Shower Cleaner Recipes

Static photo showing all of the ingredients used to make homemade shower cleaner. — Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Homemade shower cleaner costs almost nothing to make and contains just a few simple ingredients you probably have on hand in your pantry. That said, no matter how dutifully you clean the shower, there are occasions that call for deeper cleaning. We have recipes to help you handle that, too.

1. Daily Cleaning

Woman points a spray bottle at a bathtub wall; large bottle of vinegar on the ledge in the background. — Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

White vinegar is inexpensive, readily available, nontoxic and wonderfully effective when diluted in an everyday cleaner.

Fill a spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water, and you should have enough to last at least a couple of weeks.
Spray down the shower after each time you use it, and the homemade shower cleaner will combat odors and prevent the growth of bacteria and the buildup of grime.

If you’re not fond of the smell of vinegar, add in a few drops of the essential oil of your choice.

2. Biweekly Cleaning

Woman sprinkles a baking soda mixture into the bottom of her bathtub. — Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Even if you are consistent about using the daily homemade shower cleaner, chances are that you’ll need to deep clean the shower a couple of times a month to make it sparkle.

On those occasions, mix 1 or 2 cups of baking soda with a few drops of liquid dish soap.
Use a scrub brush or sponge to apply the cleanser, and run the shower to rinse the cleaner.

The baking soda acts as an abrasive agent to dislodge stubborn residue, while the soap breaks down grease and oils.

3. Mold Fighting Formula

A DIYer using homemade shower cleaner to clean a shower. — Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

With all its moisture, cracks, and crevices, the shower is a breeding ground for mold and mildew. If you get behind on your cleaning regimen and your shower starts looking a little murky, whip up this mix to get it back to rights.

In a large spray bottle or pump sprayer, combine 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap, 1 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup baking soda, and 2 cups of water. Shake well.
Spray down the shower, then watch as the vinegar and baking soda together create a cleansing, bubbling foam.
Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe down the tiles and tub with a damp cloth.
Run the shower again to rinse away the cleaner.

4. Shower Door Cleaner

Woman stands inside shower, cleaning shower door with a baking soda and dish soap mixture she's holding in a bowl. — Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Cleaning shower doors is a two-stage approach, but the mixtures for each stage, just two ingredients each, barely count as recipes.

First, mix baking soda and water into a thick paste, then use a sponge to apply that paste to the glass.
After rinsing the paste, spray on a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar.
Finishing by wiping the glass with a soft cloth that won’t leave streaks.