If I were to track the number of responses from my readers that are full of praise and gratitude, there would be thousands of hashes next to the bath and shower soap cleaner. And the word most often used to describe it? “Magical”!
But every now and then the answer will report problems related to allergies and, well, the smell.
Dear Mary: I love your homemade recipes for making your own cleaning products. Many use Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid. I am allergic to Dawn soap, all fragrances and citrus, among others. Do you have any suggestions as to what I could use as a replacement? — Peggy
Dear Peggy: I have an alternative for you to try as a replacement for the bath and shower soap cleaner and all of our recipes that use Blue Dawn. Dr. Baby’s Unscented Liquid Soap appears to Bronner’s Pure-Catile Baby (found on Amazon) meets your requirements. It is pure liquid soap and quite concentrated; it has no perfume and is organic and vegan. I’m so sorry you have to deal with this health issue, but I’m sure you’ll get great results with the power of pure castile soap.
I hope other readers dealing with allergies and other sensitivities will let us know how it works for you.
Dear Mary: I have been using your tub and shower soap cleaner recipe to clean the shower (acrylic) in our house since I saw it in the paper many months ago. It works just as well as what I’ve been using, Tilex Daily Shower Cleaner, and the cost of production is amazingly low.
Now the problem: My significant other won’t use the bathroom for hours until the smell goes away. I assume it’s the vinegar that’s causing tension in our household that I can’t afford. So what to add to the mixture to make it smell better and not gag her? Any help would be appreciated on this issue. –Dick
Dear Dick: I see a problem here! This bath and shower soap cleaner is very strong and super strong because it is highly concentrated. This contributes to its almost magical properties.
The guideline for using it is to spray it on and then leave it on for a few hours, if not overnight, before rinsing it off completely and all the nasty soap scum, mildew and gunk that has built up over time. During this time it is a good idea to leave the window open to ensure ventilation. Using it for maintenance is a bit tricky and I think this is where you might be creating the problem. If you use it for routine maintenance, you need to spray it and rinse immediately. But I have another option for you.
For daily maintenance, make our Daily Shower Cleaner yourself. It is much less efficient and yet very effective. Tip: Twenty drops of essential oil (lavender or lemon would be an excellent choice) adds a pleasant aroma.
DAILY SHOWER CLEANER
- 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1 tsp liquid dish soap (like blue dawn)
- 1 tablespoon fabric softener (like Jet-Dry)
- 2 cups of water
- 20 drops essential oil (optional)
Pour all ingredients into a 24-ounce spray bottle. Mix gently. Every day before you get out of the shower, spray the walls and then leave.
This no-rinse, wipe and scrub shower spray is safe to use on glass, glazed tiles, stone, bathtubs and shower curtains. The gentle formula contains no bleach, ammonia or harsh chemicals and won’t scratch surfaces or leave a dull residue.
Store your everyday shower cleaner in a dark cupboard as hydrogen peroxide breaks down quickly in the presence of light.
For resources on the specific items above, visit EverydayCheapskate.com/scumissues.
Marie invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.comwhere this column is archived along with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments on “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder EverydayCheapskate.comfrugal living blog and author of “Debt Secured Life”.
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