| One of the most unpleasant cleaning chores can | | | | the use of a sponge or brush to remove. The |
| be cleaning soap and scum buildup. If the buildup is | | | | extra friction helps remove the buildup. If the |
| quite bad, the process of cleaning soap and scum | | | | dried on soap scum is thick, a stiff-bristled brush |
| take a few cleaning applications. However, there | | | | may be necessary for thoroughly cleaning soap |
| are some tips to preventing soap scum and some | | | | and scum. If the soap scum buildup is on a flat |
| methods to remove it quickly and easily. Soap | | | | surface, a razor blade is also very effective--and |
| scum and buildup develops from the ingredients in | | | | more dangerous, of course, so exercise caution |
| hard soaps (bars) and the dirt and minerals that | | | | when using this tool. For lesser buildup, a standard |
| are removed when showering and bathing. Soap is | | | | sponge with a scouring side and soft side should |
| made from sodium or potassium fatty acids and | | | | do the trick for cleaning soap and scum that is |
| created through a process called saponification. | | | | not thick. After removing dried on soap scum |
| The result is an emulsifying substance that can | | | | with a soap scum remover, regular maintenance |
| separate dirt and oil in water so that these can be | | | | and prevention is key. When shopping for |
| removed from items such as clothing. One | | | | products for cleaning soap and scum, look for a |
| problem with soap is that they can be converted | | | | product that includes some type of barrier |
| into fatty acids that form soap scum. This is a | | | | protection. These create a wax-like barrier on |
| particular problem with hard water. The mineral | | | | your tub and shower wall that helps prevent soap |
| talc is also used in soaps. The talc helps the | | | | scum from adhering to the surface. Although |
| minerals adhere to the shower, and before you | | | | everyone is busy these days, a quick, two-step |
| know it, a buildup of soap scum develops, and | | | | process can help prevent the build-up of dried on |
| cleaning soap and scum is required. For cleaning | | | | soap scum and will save time later when you are |
| soap and scum, a commercial product specifically | | | | doing other things rather than cleaning soap and |
| designed for this purpose is recommended. These | | | | scum! First, after every shower or bath, use a |
| products are chemically designed to clean the | | | | squeegee or cloth to remove soap residue. Follow |
| components of soap scum. For built up soap | | | | this by spraying the shower and tub with a |
| scum, it may be necessary to repeat the process | | | | product for cleaning soap and scum. Avoid |
| a few times. For cleaning soap and scum, the | | | | spraying the bottom of the tub as this can make |
| product must "sit" on the problem area. This | | | | it very slippery. This daily routine will save a lot of |
| works fine for the edges of a bathtub, for | | | | time later. Cleaning soap and scum in this manner |
| example, but can create a problem on walls. As | | | | prevents the long-term buildup that can take |
| such, a foaming product is best, as the foam will | | | | hours to clean. If you are cleaning your tub and |
| stay on the problem area longer than a liquid. | | | | shower in this manner on a daily basis, a weekly, |
| Follow the directions on the label for how long to | | | | thorough clean with a soap scum remover should |
| keep the soap scum remover on the problem | | | | keep the problem in check. |
| area. All types of dried on soap scum will require | | | | |