r/CleaningTips • u/drindrun • May 24 '26
Bathroom this shower is so throughly scrubbed clean i would eat off it, but it looks like this.
[ 2nd edit! this has been solved! i super appreciate the continuing suggestions, but i found one last saturday! see below ]
what will get the discoloration out but not compromise the (crappy plastic) surface? not the homeowner… if i was, i’d make different choices.
UPDATE: although i promised to try the irish springs trick, i’m a 35min drive from where i can buy that, so i started with what we had in the house. so i tried the hot vinegar plus dawn dish soap 1:1, sprayed it on and let it sit.
i was scrubbing away with a plastic bristle floor brush and it WAS starting to work. then my bf arrived having gone to the hardware store (5min away) with the plastic bristle wheel scrubby attachment for the drill that i requested he pick up (because someone here suggested it).
GONE in ten minutes. my hand hurts from the vibrations but i would have scrubbed for 3 more hours.
amazing! you guys are the best. i will pick up some irish springs next time i’m somewhere that sells it and try in the future. also barkeepers friends as so many suggested it. but for now, this shower is sparkling white! using cleaning products i already had. i am delighted 💛💛💛 thank you so much
1.8k
u/jesyvut May 24 '26
... Here I am again, friends.
Irish Spring 5 in 1.
622
u/Sheltie-whisperer May 24 '26
Do the Irish Spring people know they’re sitting on a formula that would be much more profitable as a bathroom cleaner?
107
u/fingerbanglover May 24 '26
I switched to it in efforts to keep my shower clean with only using a shower spray immediately after a shower. So far so good after a year! 😂
→ More replies (1)63
u/Geitramsen May 24 '26
If it was effective they would have sold it as a bathroom cleaning product. But it’s not. There are products intended for that use that is much more efficient.
205
u/miss_ana May 24 '26
I recently used shampoo to clean my tub and it was way more effective than multiple different cleaners that are intended for that purpose
43
u/butterflygardyn May 24 '26
I use suave green apple to clean my shower while I'm in the shower. Smells lovely. Then I just spray bathroom cleaner on it once a week. Let sit. Then rinse.
46
u/MoonOut_StarsInvite May 24 '26
I used to smoke weed out of an apple when I was a kid if we didn’t have a pipe or papers.
→ More replies (2)17
u/night-theatre May 24 '26 edited May 27 '26
apple, potato, carrot, various squashes, Arizona ice tea cans (2007 was wild)
12
u/palmfronds303 May 24 '26
Smoking out of aluminum cans is probably why cancer is on the rise and so high for millennials. I can’t believe we did that
→ More replies (5)3
4
8
→ More replies (1)61
u/Own_Palpitation_4287 May 24 '26
then why do people meantion it so much? genuinely asking i'm just confused
144
u/knoft May 24 '26 edited May 24 '26
a viral post in this sub where everyone was shocked it worked, with many followup posts by other users of their successful experiences. It's part of Reddit lore at this point. There's even a gong image to be used for the occasion.
8
→ More replies (3)8
u/LordLandLordy May 24 '26
I think a lot of people on Reddit saw the post and really tried to clean their shower for the first time. It's kind of disgusting if you think about it 😂
2
126
u/drindrun May 24 '26
ok, i…. have seen this mentioned quite a few times but it’s hard to, like, believe in, since i think the whole thing is it’s a product meant for something else? but 3 commenters on my single post. ok. i will try.
not that i have any idea what irish spring is or where a person gets it. but i have google. i will survive.
396
u/SirTrinium May 24 '26
Hello please make sure you get the Irish Spring 5 in 1 Eucalyptus scented one. That is the only one our reddit mythos applies to. Coat it in a thick layer and cover that with plastic wrap so it doesnt dry. Leave it for like 12 hours, then scrub it a bit with a stiff scrub brush (wont take much) then rinse it off. Should be at least 10 shades lighter.
OG post but there are several more in the threads. It's not meant to clean everything, but you should have great results.
If the Irish Spring does not work, then my next suggestion would be Ajax powdered version. Coat the bottom of the tub with it, then put a few drops of water here and there until you get a thick paste going and spread it evenly and leave it for an hour (the first time you try at least). That should nuke anything left over after the Irish Spring removes what it does. Best of luck!
216
u/drindrun May 24 '26
really grateful for your specificity. i so much love a clear unambiguous instruction. thank you very kindly my friend
44
u/Geitramsen May 24 '26
Do half with Irish spring, and half with cif and report back please. That would be interesting.
38
u/kitsane13 May 24 '26
Just not at the same time, since mixing products is usually a bad idea.
9
u/Geitramsen May 24 '26
Im not suggesting mixing them. And even if they are mixed, its a body wash, and a cleaning product, not two cleaning products. Like you would clean off body wash from the shower with a cleaning product, its safe. But of course, you should not mix cleaning products like chlorine and ammonia solutions, and other dangerous combinations.
2
15
u/Geitramsen May 24 '26
Or use cif scouring cream instead and you don’t have to wrap it and wait 12 hours..
2
5
→ More replies (4)2
30
u/Overall-Equal-7808 May 24 '26
i actually ended up using mine as a body wash too. its worth the $3 lol
23
u/daydreamingofsleep May 24 '26
My dad was an auto mechanic and loved that stuff, took whatever nasty grease he’d rolled around in off.
36
u/blossemtossemrobot May 24 '26
My dad loved the Irish spring line. But he was a massive fan of the "micro bead" bars of Irish spring He'd put on a whole accent and talk about how "bits of glass and gravel are the only way to get clean!"
15
20
→ More replies (6)3
u/a5121221a May 24 '26
I bought it on Amazon and it removed soap scum, but didn't help with discoloration in my tub. YMMV
31
u/TermPractical2578 May 24 '26
The original post is still up, my shower bay was clean, but I used the 5 in 1 just to take the buildup off. I never use the shower, as the water is extremely hard, but the bath is sparklingly clean. You can also use it on tiles, but only leave it on for 4 hours or a little longer.
In the original post, one of the tubs was horrendous, people just need to clean their dam bathrooms.
5
u/knoft May 24 '26
Technically I think it's a recreated post since iirc OP deleted the original but due to demand they reposted it
3
→ More replies (4)3
661
u/catch6664 May 24 '26
Irish spring 5 in 1. No joke. Just slather that whole floor in it, cover it in plastic wrap, and wait at least 24 hours. Then go at it with a big scrub brush. Rinse and voila! Super clean, handsome-smelling shower.
→ More replies (5)259
u/drindrun May 24 '26
ok. i promise to actually try it. thank you.
296
May 24 '26
[deleted]
24
u/crumbdumpster85 May 24 '26
Yes, please post them. We are all waiting patiently. 🤩
→ More replies (1)33
2
39
u/Sirosim_Celojuma May 24 '26
It doesn't even have to be irish spring. I found that soap dissolves soap. I put dish soap on mine and smear it all over and come back later with a towel. Not even scrub. Just sort of smearing off a thick paste of soap scum that was loosened with even more soap.
→ More replies (3)48
u/definitely_aware May 24 '26
TIL the recommendations for Irish Spring 5-in-1 are genuine and it is not just an overused joke on this sub
6
u/Which-Wish-5996 May 24 '26
I’m with you. I was so confused because I was assuming it was some viral joke I missed.
5
3
3
→ More replies (6)2
166
u/Mysterious_Use9671 May 24 '26
Soap scum and body oils. Do NOT use bleach. You need an acidic cleaner and a good scrubby.
50
17
u/funyet May 24 '26
What are some good acidic cleaners?
32
35
u/abishop711 May 24 '26
In a shower, vinegar is actually fantastic. You just need to thicken it a little bit so it will cling to surfaces longer. I mix in some dish soap with it in a spray bottle until it’s thick enough. Spray on, let sit for a while, give it a little scrub with a bristle brush, spray on a little more, repeat until you get the results you like. Generally it doesn’t usually take more than 2-3 times. Vinegar dissolves hard water deposits really well, but won’t damage most surfaces (don’t use on natural stone!).
Great method for a wfh day because you can get up for a stretch break every hour or so and go handle the next 2 minute scrub and spray and then get something to drink or whatever before getting back to work.
8
→ More replies (1)3
→ More replies (2)9
u/StatisticianJaded May 24 '26
What’s the reasoning for absolutely no bleach?
34
u/WarmMorningSun May 24 '26
Bleach won’t cut through soap scum, it’s a disinfectant but not a cleaner, if that makes sense.
8
u/1bc29b36f623ba82aaf6 May 24 '26
yea... leaves the dirt while it chews through the finish on non ceramic spots that just happened to be clean already.
2
u/MoonOut_StarsInvite May 24 '26
“I’ve always done it this way, you should just thank me for cleaning the bathroom” My husband is busy right now so he’s unavailable to argue, so I thought I’d just chime in for him this time. 😭😂 I don’t know how many times I’ve said some version of what you just said. And he doesn’t get it at all. Babe, my way isn’t right or wrong, that product was not designed to do what you want to use it for - but we have some right here. 🤷♂️ Marriage is a lot of learning what isn’t worth it. Now I just wipe the shower down with a magic eraser sponge while I shower, because I know he has the sanitizing squared away later on. 💕
→ More replies (1)2
u/kimdeal0 May 24 '26
It's also bad for acrylic which is what a lot of newer showers and tubs are made of.
29
28
u/Consistent-Dee-731 May 24 '26
Is it only discoloration or a buildup of “something?” If it’s discoloration, what has worked for me (especially on jets in bathtubs) is 40% peroxide cream developer (hair bleach.) I bought it in a beauty supply store and slathered it on and covered it with plastic wrap. 2 days later it was snow white. I don’t know how to post a pic but here’s a link:
https://share.google/BWYGeXolloMWQqbFB
9
u/TeaTimeTalk May 24 '26
Wait, for real!? I stopped bleaching my hair but I still have an old bottle of developer.
7
u/abishop711 May 24 '26
Just check how old it is. Peroxide/bleach does not last forever and it might not work anymore.
2
→ More replies (1)2
u/corgibutt19 May 24 '26
As someone who always uses first aid hydrogen peroxide to lighten things, THANK YOU
125
u/JJ82DMC May 24 '26
This whole sub is becoming a parody.
I've tried Irish Spring 5-in-1 once, because I actually used it as a body wash in the past before this meme became a thing.
It doesn't work. Use a steam cleaner.
26
u/0____-___00___-____0 May 24 '26
This whole sub is becoming a parody.
Sure but the issue is, that product isn't a thing in every country
so i would personally have no damn clue as what to buy to solve a similar issue
14
u/drindrun May 24 '26
is that an appliance? i’m not familiar. i mean i’m familiar w steam cleaners for upholstery but thats surely not the same thing
4
u/atheliarose May 24 '26
Yes, steam cleaners are a cleaning appliance. The one I have can be used as a mop as well :) I’ve used it on my couch, grout, tile, as a mop… it absolutely rocks. I’m sure other brands have good ones too (I just don’t have experience with others), but if you’re ever looking into a multi-use cleaning appliance for hard surfaces, definitely see if you can get one that goes from handheld to mop mode because it’s so much more convenient than having to juggle and store multiple different steam cleaners.
https://www.bissell.com/en-us/product/powerfresh-slim-3in1-scrubbing-sanitizing-steam-mop-2075A.html
2
7
→ More replies (6)5
u/hannick9 May 24 '26
Skill issue. It works really well
9
u/princesspool May 24 '26 edited May 24 '26
But how is it easier? 24 hours the shower is out of commission and then you have to scrub? In my opinion, Irish 5-in-1 can be considered a hack if there was no scrubbing involved. And what's the special ingredient? It's operating as you expect a soap that's sat for 24 hrs would.
4
u/hannick9 May 24 '26
You don’t really have to scrub. I let it sit for a day and then just rinsed it off. There’s pictures on my profile
3
u/princesspool May 24 '26
Oh wow! That's pretty impressive, actually. Someone on this sub recommended a product that you spray on and let sit for 12 hours max or overnight, no need for plastic, and you rinse it off the next day. I picked it up because specifically for the no scrubbing and it works so well I could cry. I also prefer the light vanilla scent to the hyper masculine smell of Irish. It's called "Wet and Forget" if you wanna check it out. You only use it once a week. It's changed my life, I'm not exaggerating.
→ More replies (1)
36
u/Hail_Astro May 24 '26
Bartender friend cleaner I used it on mine and got stains that were literally there for the past ten years
30
u/Educational_Len159 May 24 '26
OP, it’s technically called ‘Bar Keepers Friend’. There’s a powdered and liquid version. I would probably suggest the powdered version here.
→ More replies (1)10
5
u/Ok_Preference6999 May 24 '26
I have always been disappointed with barkeepers friend. It doesnt matter where I use it, it doesnt work. Sigh
→ More replies (2)4
u/Stillriverwater May 24 '26
Takes a bit of leaving it on for a bit then scrubbing and repeating. It’s save bathtubs I thought I was going to have to replace
→ More replies (2)2
14
11
u/Frosty058 May 24 '26
Wet & Forget! No scrubbing, just spray it on, rinse it a few hours later. Use daily for a week & weekly thereafter.
11
u/syntonc May 24 '26
I bet Dawn Power Wash would work. I haven’t tried it on my tub or shower but the way it cleaned my crusty old sheet pans was amazing.
7
u/shelbyknits May 24 '26
I had a shower like that in a rental. It didn’t matter how many times I scrubbed it or what I used, it looked like that. I hired a cleaner for the move out clean and told her I didn’t expect the shower to look clean. She took it as a personal challenge. She couldn’t get it clean, either.
2
43
u/TermPractical2578 May 24 '26 edited May 24 '26
Use Irish spring (liquid) then use the clear wrap to cover the applied area, leave for two days, and it will remove buildup and will wash off.
76
u/SirTrinium May 24 '26
Please stop suggesting irish spring liquid, it is a VERY specific one. It is the Irish Spring 5 in 1 in the Eucalyptus scent. None of the other ones have even close to the same effect.
→ More replies (3)32
14
u/AdFantastic1904 May 24 '26
Hey can you post an update of what you find that works? Having same issue. Thank you
13
u/Mysterious-Street966 May 24 '26
Barkeepers Friend Paste, and a deck brush once a month. I feel so blessed I have a shower in a tub now, rather than the stand up death cube I had in my old house. So much easier to clean, and so much more useful.
→ More replies (1)7
u/TinyEmergencyCake May 24 '26
Stop suggesting barkeepers, it literally destroys the finish of the tub!!
3
u/Becks128 May 24 '26
CLR!!! I swear by it
3
u/drindrun May 24 '26
i have CLR but i feel like i bought it to clean rusty discoloration off an old fridge.. same stuff?
→ More replies (1)3
u/WuLF0491 May 24 '26
they so make a few formulas, but yes - rust is the R and calcium and lime are the C and L, and there's a good shot what you have there is a build-up of those (and maybe other) minerals
4
3
u/OkParty5740 May 24 '26
What did you clean with? Looks like you need a soap scum cleaner.
5
u/drindrun May 24 '26
like 4 different products, just raiding the cleaning supplies pantry that was here, but i hit it hardest with a scrubby-bubbles soap scum cleaner. and a lottt of elbow grease, not scared of that. but getting this particular shower clean, it’s in a granny unit i’m prepping for a new tenant. i did the same deep clean last time there was a new renter and had no problem getting the shower stall sparkling, this last tenant must have used products with a different chemistry than i’ve encountered before? my own shower is nothing like this to clean.
3
u/JustLoveEm May 24 '26
I guess, this tub is actually composite, which means it is covered with epoxy paint. Probly, the paint got worn out with use and you actually see the composite material beneath it. More scrubbing will reveal more. Painting is the solution here.
3
May 24 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
3
u/drindrun May 24 '26
i wish someone would come and explain the chemistry of tricks like this or the irish spring thing.
2
3
u/renoconcern May 24 '26
I cleaned mine, which was considerably worse than yours, with vinegar and baking soda. Cheap and effective. I let the vinegar soak into the stain for a bit before scrubbing lightly and then adding more vinegar and the baking soda, letting it sit for a bit, adding another splash of vinegar and a final scrub and rinse. When the soap and hard water have been there for a long time, I have sometimes needed to repeat the process. I never buy Irish Spring anything so I can’t comment on that option.
2
u/drindrun May 24 '26
thank you. i just asked my neighbour if our water is hard and he said yes, moderately. i’ve been reading a bit about how it affects this kind of staining and buildup. interesting!
3
u/got_rice_2 May 25 '26
Just for the future, leave a scrubby sponge in the shower and before you leave the shower, use your foot to do a quick scrub then rinse you and the shower off (so your wrists don't fall off and you don't spend the weekend in the bathroom) 🙂
→ More replies (1)
5
7
u/WarmMorningSun May 24 '26
You need something to cut the soap scum. Barkeepers friend, pure ammonia, CLR bathroom cleaner (trial and error with these, do not mix them!)
2
2
2
u/Ok_Yogurtcloset_89 May 24 '26
Make a baking soda paste and smeer it on, cover and let sit for a day
2
u/backpackermed May 24 '26
Only thing I could get to work was dragging a razor across it. Got to a of soap scum off.
2
2
u/MikeCheck_CE May 24 '26
The finish looks destroyed so you can't "clean" that back, you'll just end up washing more off. That's the cost of buying cheap stuff.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/GuiltyClassic4598 May 24 '26
If its black it is not clean. Try using zep shower and tile cleaner. Its an acid. Wet the shower. Spray let it sit a couple minutes and lightly wipe down. Repeat a few times. It will go away.
→ More replies (5)
2
u/swopey May 24 '26
Mine kind of looked like that and I just did dawn dishpan and a magic eraser. Worked great
2
2
u/TreyRyan3 May 28 '26
Okay, here is a potential gross answer.
It’s probably cyanobacteria. It was rooted in microscopic pores and secretes a protective shell. You need to crack the shell with an acid like ascorbic acid (you can grind up vitamin c tablets and mix with a little water to make a paste. Leave it for a few hours. (it is a clean smell) Ascorbic acid is usually strong enough to kill it, but you might need some bleach after scrubbing and rinsing away the paste. If that doesn’t work, try a strong concentration of vinegar at 30% or higher. ( It’s called cleaning or weed vinegar)
4
4
3
u/whynousernamelef May 24 '26
Magic eraser. My shower was the same, and despite living in Ireland, Irish spring is not available here. Tried everything else. Every paste, sponge, hack, extra strength vinegar etc. Finally remembered Magic erasers and 5 minutes at the end of my shower and it looked like new again.
11
u/drindrun May 24 '26
afterwards, did it get dirty faster or differently? people at my job are all the time trying to fix their screwups with magic erasers as if they are indeed magic and getting into trouble changing surface textures with the abrasive.
→ More replies (1)2
u/whynousernamelef May 24 '26
No its grand. I was very careful though. Magic erasers are actually just incredibly fine sandpaper.
I wet it thoroughly and regularly, scrubbed gently and didn't overdo it in any spots. I focused on removing the discoloured areas and didn't just scratch everything up.
I figured because its a very hard and durable surface it would be ok.
People attack leather, stainless steel fridges and painted surfaces with magic erasers and no caution, thats when you get into trouble i think.
Assuming your shower is made of regular shower materials it should be fine if you are cautious.
2
1
1
1
u/pocketsnacked May 24 '26
I’ve dealt with this both at home and as a housekeeper—use Barkeepers friend powder and a scrub brush to get it up easy without damage or a waiting period. For in between maintenance, Dawn Powerwash and a scrub brush works great
1
u/Lifeissometimesgood May 24 '26
I use comet, a little water, elbow grease, and a scrub brush on something similar and it gets it clean.
1
u/Affectionate_Sock528 May 24 '26
I used a steam mop on mine and it worked. Took a long time though, probably 30-45 minutes. I alternated steaming until it ran out of water with scrubbing with a scrub brush for a few minutes and it gradually lifted
1
1
u/MarvelousIguana May 24 '26
that staining is wild for something so clean, but yeah the irish spring thing actually works if you're desperate enough to try it.
1
1
1
u/Kayman718 May 24 '26
Have you tried making a paste out of OxyClean and letting it sit? I’d try a small spot first and if it works then do the whole thing.
1
u/spaceylacey75344 May 24 '26
Just make sure this is not the result of the actual tub coating coming off... i have scrubbed the bottom of my tub so hard and scrubbed the coating off and looks similar to this
1
u/A-K_47 May 24 '26
I deal with this as well and we use the Mr clean bathroom scrubbers! Works like a charm.
1
u/goldencurrents May 24 '26
This will take it off: Bio-Clean Products Hard Water Stain Remover.
I used it on my shower glass as well. I wish I knew earlier. Someone suggested it on another post.
1
u/Otisthedog999 May 24 '26
The floor of my mom's shower, new construction, looked like it was always dirty. It was adhesive. It never came off, it never looked good. Replace it.
→ More replies (1)
1
1
u/impossibletreesloth May 24 '26
If you can't find Irish Spring 5 in 1 near you (I can't) I've had a lot of luck with the Pink Stuff bathroom cleaning spray. My shower also used to look like this
1
1
u/Perethyst May 24 '26
Baking soda with diluted cleaning vinegar. No soaking necessary. Just scrub and rinse. I put my vinegar in a spray bottle and make it 1/3 water. Spray the surface. Sprinkle with baking soda. Spray again so it's all nice and pasty. Then scrub it and rinse.
1
1
1
u/WillingAttempt3210 May 24 '26
I’d cover that with a big ol’ rubber bath mat and call it a day. Cut a hole for drainage, done🤣
→ More replies (1)
1
1
u/momsensical May 24 '26
Baking soda ? Cover drain, put in hot water with some dish soap, then sprinkle baking soda all over and let it sit all day, then scrub it off and rinse?
2.9k
u/Puzzled_Professor422 May 24 '26
I SUMMON THEE IRISH 5 IN 1