How To Clean A Shower Base With Baking Soda [6 Simple Steps]

Baking soda is known to offer a variety of cleaning and deodorizing benefits to your home. But did you know that you can also clean your shower base with baking soda? We've looked into just how to do this, and in this post, we will share it with you.

Here are the steps to clean a shower base with baking soda:

Gather your cleaning supplies.
Steam the shower base.
Apply a non-abrasive cleaner.
Make a baking soda paste.
Scrub the shower base.
Rinse the shower base with warm water.

If your shower base has hard water stains or stubborn limescale spots that won't seem to go away, baking soda can offer the perfect solution. Not only can't it get rid of the spots, but it can do so without damaging your shower base during the process. Continue reading to learn how to clean your shower base with baking soda.

Steps To Clean Shower Base With Baking Soda

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While baking soda can be used to clean most shower bases, it is always best to err on the side of caution with certain materials. For example, for a shower base made of aluminum or brushed nickel, you may want to find a cleaning solution formulated specifically for those materials as baking soda may be too acidic. However, you can always perform a quick spot test beforehand.

Things you'll need:

Baking soda
Microfiber cleaning cloths
Soft sponge
Rubber cleaning gloves
Non-abrasive commercial cleaner or homemade cleaning solution
2-gallon bucket
Vinegar

1. Gather your cleaning supplies

Gather your materials and cleaning equipment and bring them into the bathroom. Next, remove any accessories from the shower base such as bar soap, shampoo bottles, shower caps, and razors. If you have a bench in your shower, be sure to remove this as well. Also, be sure to check the bench's bottom and the personal items to determine if they have mold.

If you see signs of mold, set these items aside to apply a mold-remover later. If you have a shower curtain, pin it to the side or throw it over the top of the shower rod so that it does not get in the way.

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2. Steam the shower base

One of the best ways to help loosen dirt and stains is by allowing your shower to steam for a few minutes. If you have soap scum, hard water stains, or grime on your shower base, this will help loosen them up a bit. It's also a good idea to open up any windows and doors in the bathroom just to allow for ventilation while you clean.

3. Apply a non-abrasive cleaner

Before applying your baking soda, take an all-purpose cleaner and apply it to the shower base using a scrub brush or cleaning cloth. Make sure to use the correct cleaner for your shower base material, as you don't want to scratch its surface by using solutions that are too harsh for it. Try to stay away from using rough scouring pads or harsh chemicals on your shower base.

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4. Make a baking soda paste

Next, take four or five tablespoons of baking soda and mix it with two cups of water in a large bowl. Then stir the mixture until it forms a paste-like consistency. Once it does, take your scrub pad and apply the solution to the shower base. Be sure to work around the edges of the base as well as the drain area.

You may notice dirt spots near high traffic areas of the base, so be sure to apply the solution to the spots first to give it time to lift the stains.

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5. Scrub the shower base

Gently scrub the shower base using circular motions to remove any stains, grime, and limescale spots. You may need to let the solution sit on the stain for about five to seven minutes before scrubbing it away.

6. Rinse shower base with warm water

After you have scrubbed away all of the paste, use your sponge or cloth to help rinse off the shower base with warm water. If you notice any lingering stains, re-apply the paste and let it sit for an additional five to seven minutes before rinsing it off again.

Additional Stain Removal Solutions

Vinegar and baking soda

If you have spots on your shower base that don't seem to be going away with baking soda along, consider adding a bit of vinegar to the baking soda solution in a 1:3 ratio. Make sure that the solution is only applied to the stains, and not the entire shower base.

You can use this solution on hard water deposits, limescale, and calcium spots. Allow the solution to sit on the spot for about five minutes before scrubbing it away. Then rinse the area with warm water.

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Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

If you have spots on your shower base from hair dyes, shampoos, or tinted soaps, you can also use a combination of baking soda and peroxide to get rid of them quickly. To create this cleaning solution, combine two tablespoons of baking soda with one tablespoon of peroxide.

Next, let the solution sit on the stain for about two to three minutes. Afterward, rinse it with water and then dry it with a clean, dry cloth. If the stain is still there, re-apply the solution and let it sit for an additional two to three minutes.

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Diluted Bleach Solution

If you have mold and mildew on your shower base, bleach is the quickest way to get rid of it. However, being that bleach is so strong, you will want to dilute it before applying it to the base.

In a spray bottle, mix 1/4 cup of bleach with two cups of water and spread on the mildew stains. Allow the solution to penetrate the stain for five to seven minutes before rinsing it with cold water. Make sure that you open a window or the door of the bathroom to allow for ventilation before using the bleach solution.

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Oxalic Acid Solution

If you have tough stains on your shower base, you can also use oxalic acid as well. Keep in mind that oxalic acid is harmful to your skin, so be sure to wear protective gloves when using it. You'll want to ventilate the bathroom while working.

Dilute the oxalic acid with water and apply it to the stain using a spray bottle. Allow the acid to sit on the base for about one to two minutes before rinsing it away with cold water. You'll want to do a spot test before applying the acid to your shower pan, just to make sure that it does not damage the material. If you have an aluminum or a brushed nickel shower pan, do not use oxalic acid on it.

See this oxalic acid on Amazon.

Can you use baking soda on porcelain tile?

Porcelain tile is a very durable material, but it requires weekly maintenance to stay looking its best. Baking soda can be used on porcelain, and it's best to combine it with water to form a paste for tub stain removal.

You can combine it with equal parts of water and apply it to a stain using a small brush or a cleaning cloth. Make sure that you rinse the area thoroughly, as you don't want the paste to remain on the porcelain--it can scratch it over time.

Can you use baking soda on natural stone?

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Many home improvement experts advise against using baking soda to clean stone tiles and slabs. The reason is that baking soda is very acidic, having a pH level of around 8.3. Being that baking soda is rather caustic, it may cause permanent stains on natural stones, making it unsafe compared to a regular cleaner.

While it may be safe for random applications, it should not be used as a permanent solution to clean your natural stone tiles. You should instead find a cleaning solution that is formulated especially for natural stone.

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Will baking soda scratch glass?

No. Baking soda can be used to help remove scratches from glass. By combining it with water, you can use a soft cloth to remove small scratches from glass surfaces such as drinking glasses, window panes, and glass tables. If you don't have baking soda available, you can also use paste toothpaste that has baking soda in it.

Can you use baking soda on shower fixtures?

Yes, baking soda can be used to remove limescale, calcium, and other mineral deposits from your shower fixtures. The exceptions being aluminum and brushed nickel shower fixtures, as it's simply too acidic for these metals.

If you are looking for an economical solution to remove tough grime and mineral deposits from your shower, you can use baking soda in a combination with other ingredients such as vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and mild dish soap to effectively clean your fixtures. You can also use it in other bathroom areas,m including the shower base, walls, the toilet, and the sink.

Wrapping Things Up

If you notice that your shower base is becoming cloudy or has dark spots due to grime or mineral deposits from hard water, baking soda may be the best way to help to get rid of these stains. You can use baking soda by itself or in combination with other cleaning solutions. It can also work as a great stain remover for other areas of your bathroom as well.

Remember, if you are unsure whether baking soda is safe to use on your shower base it's always best to do a spot test beforehand on an inconspicuous area to avoid scratching or damaging the material.

Before you go, be sure to check out some of our other posts:

6 Shower Tile Repair Solutions [Easily Fix Cracks, Chips, And Holes]

How To Hang A Shower Curtain [Even Without Hooks]