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Santeen Products: (952) 935-4500 or www.santeen.com.
Makers of Santeen brand cleaners
Limeosol Co.: (800) 448-5281 or www.limeosol.com.
Makers of The Works product line
Remove Soap Scum From Tile
Numerous cleaners are available to remove soap scum from tile. But if you face layers of soap scum buildup, stick with an effective bleach-containing, nonabrasive product (see list below).
Scum cleaners commonly contain bleach (sodium hypochlorite), which effectively cuts through soap scum and kills mildew. Be sure to read the product label and match it to the material (tile, fiberglass, etc.) being cleaned.
Cleaners That Work
Here are a few examples of recommended effective products based on our research and experience. Granted, there are many products available and you may have your own favorites or remedies.
Santeen De-Limer & Toilet Bowl Cleaner
The Works Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Comet Bathroom spray
Scrubbing Bubbles with Bleach
Lime-A-Way
Scrubbing Bubbles with Bleach
Comet Bathroom spray
Caution
Before cleaning, turn on vent fan and/or open window and put on chemical-resistant rubber gloves and eye protection.
Whole Bathroom
Clean heavily used bathrooms once a week (less dirt = quicker clean)
Take 10 seconds each day and brush the entire toilet bowl. You don’t have to apply a cleaner (zero stain growth = fast and easy weekly clean)
Close lid before flushing (keeps mist of bowl contents from exiting the bowl)
Take a moment to squeegee water off walls after each shower (less scum and mildew buildup)
Blot water off fixtures with soft cloth (fewer water spots)
Switch to Zest, Ivory or any liquid soap to reduce soap scum formation
Once a day, wipe water off faucet, sink and mirror with soft cloth (fewer water spots)
Caution
Read and follow the label to make sure the cleaner is safe to use on both the faucet surface and the tub, tile or sink surfaces. Do not use abrasive cleaners. Do not use all-purpose cleaners on marble or other natural stone surfaces. Buy a special stone cleaner.
Chemicals That Work
There are five basic types of cleaning chemicals: surfactants, alkalis, acids, solvents and disinfectants. Develop a basic understanding of these and you can pick the right cleaner for any job.
Surfactants, found in almost every cleaning product, help carry the ingredients into tiny cracks and pores. They also help loosen, emulsify (disperse in water) and suspend soils for removal.
Alkalis, which have a pH higher than 7, are best at removing (neutralizing) acidic soils, which have a pH less than 7. Alkalis chew up acidic fats and oils (from hamburger grease to body oil to plain old mud), breaking them into smaller particles that can be washed away. Alkaline cleaners range from mild liquid dishwashing detergent and glass cleaner to strong lye (sodium hydroxide) drain openers and degreasers.
Acids work best on neutralizing alkaline soils (tough water stains), such as lime scale, soap deposits, rust and more. Acids break stains into small particles to be washed away. Acidic cleaners range from mild (vinegar, lemon juice) to heavier cleaners such as phosphoric acid (found in toilet bowl and tub/tile cleaners) and hydrochloric or sulfuric acids (found in toilet bowl cleaners).
Solvents such as mineral spirits work by dissolving soils rather than neutralizing them like alkalis or acids. They’re distilled from petroleum or plant products and are mostly used on oily and greasy soils.
Disinfectants, such as quaternary ammonium or pine oil, are added to cleaners that tout anti-bacterial power. They kill germs that smell, cause disease, stain clothes and spoil food.
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