Is your shower suffering from a buildup of soap scum, mildew, and grime that makes it look dull and dirty? We’ve all been there. No matter how much we scrub, that gunky film on the walls, doors, and floor of the shower just won’t budge. The solution? Surprisingly, it’s as simple as grabbing a dishwasher tablet from your kitchen. Yes, the same tablets you use to clean your dishes can also work wonders on your shower!
Keep reading to learn how to leverage this clever cleaning hack for a shower that sparkles like new. We’ll walk through why dishwasher tablets are so effective, what you’ll need to get started, step-by-step instructions, extra tips for tough stains, and the pros and cons of using dishwasher tablets as an eco-friendly shower cleaner.
Why Use Dishwasher Tablets for Shower Cleaning
Dishwasher tablets have several benefits that make them a smart choice for scrubbing soap scum and grime off your shower surfaces:
- Inexpensive – A tub of dishwasher tablets costs just a few dollars, much cheaper than specialized shower cleaners.
- Readily available – You likely already have dishwasher tablets handy in your kitchen.
- Effective cleaning agents – The abrasive formulas dissolve grease, lift stains, remove mold and mildew, and make surfaces sparkle.
- Eco-friendly – Free of harsh bleach and chemicals found in many cleaners.
The active cleaning ingredients in dishwasher tablets help them cut through all the dried-on gunk in your shower. The small size allows you to target problem areas for concentrated cleaning power.
What You’ll Need
Gather these supplies before tackling your shower cleaning project:
- Dishwasher tablets – Any brand works.
- Scrub brush or sponge – Opt for a stiff bristled brush for heavy-duty scrubbing.
- Gloves – To protect your hands from irritation.
- Bucket or spray bottle – For dispensing the cleaning solution.
How to Clean Your Shower with Dishwasher Tablets
Prep Your Shower
Start by doing some prep work to clear clutter and rinse down surfaces:
- Remove any accessories, razors, shampoo bottles, etc. to open up the space.
- Rinse walls, doors, floors with water to wet surfaces and loosen dirt.
Create Dishwasher Tablet Cleaning Solution
Next, whip up your cleaning solution:
- Fill a bucket or large bowl with hot water.
- Add 3-5 dishwasher tablets and allow to fully dissolve, stirring occasionally.
The hot water will help the tablets dissolve quickly to create a concentrated sudsy cleaner.
Scrub Your Shower
Now comes the elbow grease! Get scrubbing:
- Dip your scrub brush in the solution and start scrubbing the shower walls, doors, floors, and all tracks and crevices.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands from irritation.
- Let the solution sit for 5 minutes before scrubbing to boost cleaning power.
Scrub in circular motions applying moderate pressure. Target any visibly dirty areas first before doing an overall thorough scrub.
Extra Tough Stains
For extra grimy spots like soap buildup on floors or mildew in grout lines try this:
- Make a concentrated paste by mixing tablet powder with just a bit of water.
- Use an old toothbrush to work paste into tight crevices and grout.
Rinse Your Shower
The final step is rinsing away all the cleaning solution:
- Thoroughly rinse all surfaces, corners, and crevices with hot water.
- Check for any leftover streaks or residue and re-rinse as needed.
Tips for the Best Results
Follow these tips to get the most out of using dishwasher tablets as a shower cleaner:
- Ventilate the shower during cleaning by turning on the fan or opening a window.
- Use circular scrubbing motions which are more effective than back and forth.
- Focus on problem areas like the shower floor and doors which get the grimiest.
- Test a small inconspicuous area first to check tablet safety on your surfaces.
Dishwasher Tablet Shower Cleaning Pros and Cons
Let’s recap the main advantages and disadvantages of this cleaning hack:
Pros
- Very affordable compared to store-bought shower cleaners.
- Convenient to use what you likely already have on hand.
- Helps lift away built-up gunk and restoring shine.
- Gentler on surfaces than harsh chemical cleaners.
Cons
- Extremely time consuming and requires tons of scrubbing.
- Can be messy with solutions dripping everywhere.
- Requires a lot of physical effort and can be tiring.
- May not work well on certain shower materials.
FAQs About Using Dishwasher Tablets for Shower Cleaning
Here are answers to some common questions about this cleaning method:
How often should I do this shower cleaning method?
Aim to deep clean your shower with dishwasher tablets every 2-3 months for maintenance. Clean more frequently if you notice a heavy soap scum buildup.
What’s the easiest way to rinse away the cleaning solution?
Using a detachable showerhead makes rinsing off the cleaner much simpler. Rinsing with hot water also helps clear away any residue.
Is there a risk of damaging my shower surfaces?
If used properly, dishwasher tablets are safe for most standard shower materials. But test a small spot first, especially on tile grout which can be more delicate.
What else can I use dishwasher tablets to clean around my house?
Dishwasher tablets also work great to clean sinks, countertops, appliances, and outdoor grills when made into a paste.
While not a miracle solution, using dishwasher tablets as an inexpensive, eco-friendly shower cleaner can be highly effective with some time and elbow grease devoted. Give this cleaning hack a try next time your tub needs some TLC. Just be sure to have realistic expectations – scrubbing with dishwasher tablets helps maintain cleanliness between deep cleans but likely won’t work magic on extremely dirty showers.
You can use dishwasher tablets to clean your shower surfaces with the right technique. No need to reach for harsh chemical cleaners. Just grab a dishwasher tablet, put some muscle into it, and let this clever cleaning trick make your shower look fresh and new again.
