Preventing
soap scum build-up is a lot easier than cleaning it up, so consider
using a squeegee on shower walls and doors, a soap like Zest and/or
using a towel to dry off the walls and doors. If you have tile walls
or frosted shower doors, using a light coating of lemon oil on them
periodically will help stop the growth of soap scum. And, if you have
a porcelain tub, you can try to prevent build-up by applying a light
coat of boat or car wax to the sides (never the bottom) of the tub.
It will take some elbow grease to get rid of existing soap scum. You'll
need a degreaser to cut through it. You can get a good alkaline soap
scum remover at a janitorial supply store, or you can try a handful
of automatic dishwasher detergent dissolved in a bucket of warm water.
Make sure you cover the affected area completely and let your cleaning
solution soak for at least 15 minutes. Applying this solution right
after a shower is a good idea since the walls will already be wet. After
the appropriate soaking time, you'll need to use a stiff scrub brush
or a white, nylon-backed scrub sponge to clean the walls. You may need
to soak and scrub a couple times to get rid of all the build-up. Once
all the build-up is removed, make sure you rinse well. You'll need to
use acid cleaner only once in a while, with the soap scum remover being
used more often. Remember that overuse of strong acid cleaners on ceramic
tiles can cause grout to deteriorate.