The best shower cleaners are easy to use, shouldn’t require too much elbow grease, and should last beyond just a few uses. You’ll also want to consider the scent and surface compatibility, so you know the cleaner or cleaning device you’re using won’t strip, crack, or otherwise damage your tile, granite, or glass, or another bathroom surface you may have. To help you find the best shower cleaner, we researched the top options with these features in mind. The Better Life Natural Tub and Tile Cleaner is our top choice, because it’s an eco-friendly formula that effectively removes soap scum and grime without any scrubbing. Here are the best shower cleaners to make your bathroom shine. If you’re looking for an effective bathroom cleaner that is also eco-friendly, Better Life’s Natural Tub and Tile Cleaner is our top pick. Plant-based and biodegradable, this formula is a gentler option than some chemical-based cleaners out there, and it can cut through soap, scum, rust, hard water stains, and other grime without any scrubbing. Just spray it on the desired area, let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe it away. However, since it is such a gentle formula, we recommend using this for more frequent maintenance, rather than a deep clean, to remove caked-on dirt and grime. Scented with tea tree and eucalyptus oils, this cleaner leaves a pleasant smell when you’re done cleaning. It can linger for a little while, so it may be best to clean with a window open if you’re sensitive to smell. Available in a 32-ounce bottle, a little goes long way with this cleaner, and it should last you quite a while. Many retailers even sell it with a refill, so you can reuse the sprayer for the second bottle once you empty the first. You can use this option all over your bathroom, since it’s compatible with ceramic, porcelain, stainless steel, fiberglass, acrylic, and chrome surfaces, which is another reason why it’s our top pick. Price at time of publish: $16 This cleaner has the added benefit of killing 99.9 percent of germs, including cold and flu viruses, according to the manufacturer. To use it for disinfecting purposes, spray the desired area until it’s thoroughly wet, and let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping it off. No matter how you use it, this cleaner always leaves a brilliant shine in its wake. Although it’s bleach-free, it still has a chemical smell, so make sure to open the windows when letting it sit. It’s compatible with tile, toilets, sinks, and counters, so you can use it all over your bathroom. Available in a 30-ounce spray bottle, it should last for a few months unless you use it more frequently. Price at time of publish: $4 Although the lemon scent makes for a more pleasant cleaning experience, this chemical cleaner should still be used in a well-ventilated area. Kaboom can be used on other bathroom surfaces, including sinks, toilets, and countertops. What makes this foaming cleaner more effective than a liquid spray, particularly on shower walls, is the thick consistency that allows it to stick to vertical surfaces, without dripping, to penetrate tough stains. Available in 19-ounce bottles, it’s a bit smaller than some other options on this list and may run out faster when cleaning larger surface areas. You’ll just want to keep that in mind when shopping. Price at time of publish: $5 With an ergonomic grip and rubberized molding on the handle, this scrubber is comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver. The brush is powered by four AA batteries, which are included, but you will need to replace them over time. All of the brush attachments are dishwasher safe, allowing for easy cleanup. For a thorough bathroom cleaning, you can’t go wrong with this versatile set. Price at time of publish: $26 The antimicrobial abrasive head, which is similar in texture to a scouring pad, is ideal for deep cleaning and works on any tub, tile, and glass surfaces. It has a pointed tip, allowing access to corners, grout lines, and other tight spaces. Since the head pivots, you can clean at different angles. Once the brush begins to degrade, you can replace it with the brand’s replacement heads, which are sold separately. Price at time of publish: $18 The cleaner is easy to use and doesn’t require any scrubbing or elbow grease. All you need to do is spray it on in an even layer, let it sit for two to three minutes, and rinse it off thoroughly. It quickly eliminates soap scum, mineral buildup, and water spots. Users who are sensitive to strong smells will also appreciate the odorless formula. Price at time of publish: $10 TubShroom is available in six colors, including white and clear, to match almost any bathtub. It’s incredibly easy to clean: all you need to do is wipe it off with a tissue to remove the hair. According to the manufacturer, it can go weeks without having to be cleaned, but if you shower often, it will collect a lot of hair, soap scum, and more, so it’s best to clean it more frequently so it doesn’t get dirty and moldy. Price at time of publish: $20 Once you’ve unclogged the drain, you can toss the used wand in the trash. The FlexiSnake comes with five replacement wands that easily attach to the quick-connect handle. Measuring 18 inches in length and outfitted with patented micro-hooks, the FlexiSnake is best suited for removing nearby clogs. If you have a deeper clog in your drainage system, you’ll likely need an electric drain snake. Price at time of publish: $22 You can also choose from a 10-, 12-, or 14-inch rubber blade, which leaves surfaces clean, dry, and streak-free. We recommend an extra-wide width if you’re covering a large surface area. Unfortunately, the blade isn’t replaceable, so you will need to repurchase an entire new squeegee if it begins to break down. Still, it should last for years as long as it’s properly maintained. The squeegee comes with a set of waterproof adhesive hooks, too, which can easily be adhered to a smooth, clean, and dry surface. While consistently using the squeegee will help prevent soap scum and water spots from forming, you still need to thoroughly clean and sanitize your shower walls on a regular basis. However, the HIWARE Shower Squeegeewill make the work a lot easier. Price at time of publishing: $20 Bio-Clean is available in a 20.3-ounce bottle, and a little goes a long way, so it should last you quite a while. It also works well with cleaning brushes, such as the ones you can attach to an electric drill for deeper cleaning. Price at time of publish: $30 Since this cleaner contains bleach and has a fairly strong smell, it should be used in a well-ventilated area. Bleach may cause discoloration or damage to some surfaces, so it’s best to test the product on a small, unnoticeable area first. If you’re using the spray on a vertical surface, be sure to wipe up any run-off to avoid a mess on the floor. Price at time of publish: $19 Since these bath scrubbers are 30 percent bigger than the original Magic Eraser, they can tackle a larger surface area in less time. However, they’re still great for getting into grout lines and other small crevices. You can use them all over your bathroom, as well, to tackle small tasks like cleaning your sink countertops until the scrubbers disintegrate. Just keep in mind, though, the scrubbers are single-use when cleaning larger surface areas like your shower. To keep your bathroom smelling fresh, the pads are available in refreshing scents like lavender and Febreze’s meadows and rain. Looking to tackle more cleaning tasks around your home? They can be used to remove scuff marks from walls and floorboards as well as baked-on kitchen grease from stoves and countertops—to name just a few additional applications. Price at time of publish: $19
Ease of Use
Some shower cleaners are designed to work with minimal to no scrubbing. They often come in a gel or foam formula. Once applied, they usually need to sit on the surface for a few minutes to reach their full effectiveness. Tools like brushes, scrubbers, and Magic Erasers will require some elbow grease to get the job done, and they will likely need maintenance, too—whether it’s wringing, squeezing, or washing them out between uses. Meanwhile, some options, like a snake drain, are single-use only, and you’ll need to find replacement pieces.
Scent
Shower cleaners can have a mild or strong scent. Products that contains ammonia, bleach, or other harsh chemicals typically have the strongest scents. Our top pick, the Better Life Natural Tub and Tile Cleaner, is scented with essential oils, creating a pleasant smell that isn’t overpowering. Which scent you choose comes down to the cleaning task you’re facing, since you may need a more abrasive and chemical-based formula, and personal preference. However, when using any cleaner, be sure to use it in a properly ventilated area and away from children and pets.
Surface Compatibility
Multipurpose shower cleaners can be used on a variety of surfaces, while dedicated formulas are intended for specific materials. For cleaning tubs and showers, choose a product that is intended for use on tile, porcelain, ceramic, vinyl, or stone. You will likely need a separate cleaner for glass shower doors. To avoid damaging any bathroom surfaces, be sure to use a product that’s compatible with the surface you’re intending to clean.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Sage McHugh, a home and lifestyle writer who has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019. To select the best shower cleaners, she considered dozens of products and hundreds of customer reviews, carefully evaluating each cleaner’s effectiveness on various types of surfaces. For insight on unclogging shower drains, she interviewed Paul Abrams, public relations director of Roto-Rooter. Paul Abrams, the public relations director at Roto-Rooter, suggests “plunging the drain with a shallow red cup sink plunger (not the deep black cup designed for toilets). A plunger will push the hair clog through the narrow drain line and into the larger-diameter main sewer pipe, where it will be washed away.” However, it is important to seal the overflow drain first. The best way to seal an overflow opening is to cover it with duct tape. Another option is a manual drain snake, but Abrams notes that “they are only effective for clearing clogs from the first 10 to 12 inches of the drainpipe. A sink plunger is effective for the next several feet of drain line, but after that, a professional-grade drain-cleaning snake is the tool of choice for the job.”
