10 best shower cleaners for a grime-free bathroom

Many parents don’t have time to invest hours scrubbing and cleaning (don’t worry, we totally get it). But grime, limescale, mould and mildew can all gather in your shower, which is why it’s important to keep your bathroom as clean as possible.

Thankfully, shower cleaners can help take the hard work out of your cleaning routine and save you precious time, all while giving you the ultimate clean, sparkling and shining bathroom that you deserve.

There’s no shortage when it comes to shower cleaning products. You can find limescale sprays, multi-purpose sprays, glass cleaners, bathroom plughole unblockers and cleaning tools to tackle the job. But instead of having to buy a wide selection, we’ve saved you time by compiling a list of the very best shower cleaners.

Drawing on recommendations from other Mumsnet users and consumer review websites, our collection of powerful shower cleaners offers something for every budget and every bathroom. Here are the 10 best shower cleaners to buy right now.

1. Best overall shower cleaner: Bar Keeper’s Friend

Price: £6.67 | Buy now from Amazon

“I was going to say Bar Keepers Friend too. I've had a completely unremovable and quite revolting-looking rust stain in my toilet for years. I've tried ‘everything.’ Today I gave it a little wipe with Bar Keepers Friend and all gone. I didn't even have to rub very hard.” TrainforSpeed

“A product called Bar Keepers Friend. It’s honestly amazing - the only thing that removes marks from my ceramic sink and other tricky stains when other products have failed to.” Summergarden

The ever-popular Bar Keepers Friend is a multi-purpose cleaner that comes in powder form and can clean showers, tiles, glass shower doors, sinks, countertops, cookware and cooktops. This cleaning product contains oxalic acid, a natural acid found in plants, so it’s perfectly safe to use on most hard surfaces.

To clean your shower, all you need to do is apply the Bar Keepers Friend powder to a damp surface and add a bit of water to make a paste. Then use a dampened sponge or cloth to spread the paste across the shower or tiles and gently rub it in. Leave the paste to sit for five minutes and then wipe the surface clean.

Pros

• Safe to use in most showers due to the natural oxalic acid ingredient

• Removes grime, limescale, hard water build-ups and other bathroom stains

• Can also be used as a cleaner in the kitchen

Cons

• Can’t be used on acid-sensitive surfaces, such as marble or limestone

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2. Best budget shower cleaner: Stardrops The Pink Stuff Miracle Bathroom Foam Cleaner

Price: £1 | Buy now from Amazon

“I’ve just spent three days scrubbing every single tile in the kitchen and bathroom with a tub of The Pink Stuff cleaner. They hadn’t been properly cleaned for ages and have come up like new.” MalfunctioningRobot

“The Pink Stuff range is amazing. Especially the bathroom foam.” Arrowheart

Stardrops The Pink Stuff Miracle Bathroom Foam Cleaner is an affordable foam spray that’s easy to use and delivers streak-free results. This cleaner is very effective at removing dirt, grease, grime, limescale and other tough stains.

To use this cleaner, simply spray the multi-purpose foam onto your bathroom’s hard surfaces, leave it to sit for a few minutes and then scrub it off with a damp cloth.

We also love that it's free from animal-derived ingredients and that it isn’t tested on animals.

Pros

• Budget-friendly

• Removes dirt, grime, and limescale

• Cruelty-free

Cons

• Foam is not that thick and can run down the side of the bottle

3. Best shower cleaner for tiles: OXO Good Grips Extendable Tub & Tile Scrubber

Price: £14 | Buy now from Amazon

“Oxo Good Grips Scrubber on an extendable pole for tricky-to-reach bits.” twilightcafe

If you want a cleaning tool for your shower that means you don’t need to reach too far or crouch down, then the OXO Good Grips Extendable Tub & Tile Scrubber is just what you need. This handy cleaning tool is 26 inches long but is extendable to 42, so you can get to all those difficult-to-reach places in your shower and bathroom.

The material of the abrasive, anti-microbial scrubber is great for deep cleaning stubborn stains, while its shape is perfect for getting into tight corners and grout lines. The steel pole is sturdy and has a soft non-slip grip handle to ensure your cleaning experience is easy-peasy.

Pros

• Extendable cleaning tool

• Hygienic antimicrobial scrub

• Sturdy pole, with soft non-slip grip handle

Cons

• Replacement heads are expensive

4. Best shower cleaner for grout: Elbow Grease Mould and Mildew Stain Remover Spray

Price: £4.60 | Buy now from Amazon

“Elbow Grease. That is, the product named Elbow Grease. It's fantastic stuff!! You can even use it on clothes. The only thing I don’t use it on is my fridge etc (my appliances are silver and it will take the colour off them; inside is fine). Spray, walk away and do something else, then come back and wipe off. It really is that good.” PurpleSapphire

Mould grows in grout. That’s just a fact of bathroom life. But, luckily, you can get rid of it with the Elbow Grease Mould and Mildew Stain Remover Spray. This all-around bathroom cleaner can make showers, tiles, baths, sinks, and toilets sparkle, which is why we’re crowning it the best shower and grout cleaner.

Save time scrubbing on your hands and knees as all you need to do is spray it on the surface and leave it to work its magic. After 10 to 15 minutes, rinse the surface with water and let it dry.

The Elbow Grease Spray contains bleach, so make sure you open a window for ventilation when you use it.

Pros

• Easy to use

• Requires no scrubbing

• Cleans all bathroom appliances

Cons

• Contains bleach

5. Best hard water shower cleaner: Viakal Bathroom 3-in-1 Spray

Price: £6.45 | Buy now from Amazon

“Sink/limescale - Viakal. Spray on, go and have a cup of tea/clean something else, then come back and wipe over with a microfibre cloth, and rinse and polish with a dry cloth. If it still has limescale anywhere, repeat the spray and leave/rinse/wipe until gone.” HappyBackHome

Hard water causes limescale to build up in your shower and, if left untreated, can cause problems with appliances and plumbing. That’s why, if you live in an area with hard water, Mumsnetters and countless reviewers recommend the Viakal Bathroom 3-in-1 Spray.

This powerful spray removes limescale, grime and watermarks, and helps to prevent limescale from returning. It also cleans showers, glass doors, sinks, baths and toilets without harming the surfaces.

And it’s easy to use too. All you need to do is spray the surface and leave for a few minutes (up to five minutes for big limescale build-ups), then rinse the surface and enjoy a long-lasting shine.

Pros

• Removes even the toughest limescale build-ups

• Cleans a variety of bathroom appliances

Cons

• Can’t be used on acid-sensitive surfaces, such as marble or limestone

6. Best shower head cleaner: Cif Bathroom Cleaner Spray

Price: From £2 | Buy now from Amazon

“Use Cif - I still call it Jif - and the bathroom scrubby pads that M&S sell - yellow on one side and metal-looking on the other. The metal-looking side doesn’t scratch. I found bathroom cleaners only work if you clean it every day. I was also having this same problem and gave Cif a go as I remembered my mum using it. Worked a treat so I use that now. It rinses off fine and easily if you have a moveable shower head.” Maray1967

Dirt and limescale can build up on your shower head, which is why you need a reliable descaling cleaning product like the Cif Bathroom Cleaner Spray. With a 100% biodegradable fragrance (to ensure there are no harsh smells left behind) and water- and dirt-repellent technology, this cleaner will have your shower sparkling in no time.

This streak-free spray cleans ceramic, chrome, enamel, plastic, and stainless-steel surfaces, making it ideal for all your bathroom cleaning needs, not just your shower head.

Similar to other spray products, all you need to do is spray the cleaner, leave it to sit for a few minutes and then wipe the surface clean. The product has been dermatologically tested, so you can be sure that it’s safe. However, it does contain benzisothiazolinone, which can cause allergic reactions.

Pros

• Removes dirt, limescale and grime

• Leaves no harsh, chemical smells behind

• Streak-free for a clean and shiny finish

• Comes in an eco refill bottle

Cons

• Contains benzisothiazolinone, which can cause allergic reactions

7. Best shower unblocker: Buster Bathroom Plughole Unblocker

Price: £2.29 | Buy now from Amazon

“Yes for Buster bathroom stuff. Literally dissolves hair. I’ve used it for years and no drain damage.” HippyDays

When water slowly drains in your shower plughole, it could be because of a blockage due to hair, soap scum or general sludge. It’s not pretty, but it can easily be cleaned up with a plughole unblocker.

The Buster Bathroom Plughole Unblocker can be used to tackle shower, bath and sink blockages. To use, all you have to do is pour the entire bottle slowly down the plughole and leave it to sit for 15 minutes, or several hours (for particularly nasty blockages), to let it dissolve hair and sludge. Then flush the product down with hot water.

Pros

• Unblocks plugholes

• Effortlessly dissolves hair, soap scum and sludge

Con

• Toxic to aquatic life

• Can’t be used with other products, as it may release dangerous chlorine gases

8. Best shower door cleaner: Windolene 4 Action Glass & Shiny Surfaces Spray

Price: £10.99 | Buy now from Amazon

“If I want that really shiny clean feeling then I will go with Windowlene and a microfibre cloth and shine up all my stainless steel and glass in the kitchen. Likewise in the bathroom using window cleaner on the shower door, getting the mirrors nice and shiny and giving the tiles a bit of a buff too.” TheCheesyBakedBeanGetsGlam

In one 500ml bottle of Windolene 4 Action Glass & Shiny Surfaces Spray, you get a cleaning product that can dissolve grease, lift off dirt and leave a streak-free surface. But with this two-pack of Windolene, you get one whole litre of magical glass cleaner, which should keep your shower door, windows, taps, mirrors, glass surfaces, windscreens and worktops sparkling for longer.

We love that Windolene can be used on a range of surfaces and that it’s also easy to use (especially if you have an accompanying shower squeegee to hand).

Pros

• Keeps shower doors and glass clear and shiny

• Easy to use

• Can also be used on other glass surfaces and mirrors

Cons

• Don’t use on marble or finished wood surfaces

9. Best eco shower cleaner: Ecozone Magic Stain Eraser

Price: £7.21 | Buy now from Amazon

“Magic Stain Eraser. I have cleared the most ground in dirt with limescale with one of those bad boys. No chemicals needed but you will still need a good scrub.” Northernsoullover

Those looking for a vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and allergy-friendly shower cleaner need to look no further than this four-pack of Ecozone Magic Stain Erasers.

This non-abrasive sponge is made from 100% melamine foam, and it can clean mould, grime, dirt or limescale from showers, baths, sinks, taps, tiles and kitchen accessories and appliances, such as ovens, fridges and pans.

There’s no need to use any other cleaning products alongside the Magic Stain Eraser as the tough exfoliating power of the sponge is activated when it’s dampened with water. The British company that makes Ecozone Magic Stain Erasers also has a range of other popular eco-friendly cleaning products.

Pros

• Vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and allergy-friendly

• Removes mould, grime, dirt, limescale and other bathroom stains

• Can also be used to clean kitchenware and appliances

Cons

• Requires a lot of scrubbing to remove stubborn stains

10. Best limescale cleaner for showers: Cillit Bang Limescale & Grime Spray Power Cleaner

Price: £5.01 | Buy now from Amazon

“It's probably limescale - something like Cillit Bang or Viakal should work but you need to dry the bath after. We've got a couple of old towels that I use.” BrilloPaddy

Limescale and soap scum can make showers look grubby and dirty, but you don’t need to worry about that with the Cillit Bang Limescale & Grime Spray Power Cleaner. The foam formula and fresh scented cleaner can clean showers, baths, sinks, tiles, glass, toilets, stainless steel taps and many other surfaces.

It can also tackle even the toughest limescale build-ups. All you need to do is spray the product on the shower or bath and leave it for 30 minutes, then rinse with water and wipe clean. Along with removing limescale and soap scum, it can also remove watermarks, dirt, grime and rust. How’s that for multipurpose?

Pros

• Safe to use on a variety of surfaces, including all bathroom surfaces

• Removes limescale, soap scum, grime, dirt, watermarks and rust

Cons

• Can cause skin irritation

How do I get rid of shower grime?

There are home remedies that you can use to clean shower grime. For example, mixing white vinegar and hot water can remove some grime and bathroom stains.

But the quickest and easiest way to get rid of grime, dirt and unsightly stains in your bathroom is to use one of the above shower cleaners.

Choose your favourite, then apply the product on the tiles, shower head, shower cubicle (or bathtub), and taps for an all-around clean. Follow the product's instructions for how long to leave the solution on for and then wipe the surface and rinse with water.

If you have stubborn grime or mould that’s been there for years, then we recommend using a stronger product such as one that contains bleach.

What’s the most effective shower cleaner?

From our round-up, the most effective shower cleaner is Bar Keepers Friend. We like that this multi-purpose cleaner can clean different surfaces throughout the house. And whatever bathroom grime or stains you have can be gone within five minutes thanks to its powerful oxalic acid formula.

We recommend having a tin or two of Bar Keepers Friend in your cupboard at all times, so that whatever grime, dirt, limescale or mould is lurking in your bathroom can quickly be cleaned up.

Read next: Best window vacs for getting rid of condensation

How we chose our recommendations

We spent hours researching the best shower cleaners by scouring our Mumsnet forums to find products that are reliable, practical and effective at removing limescale, grout, mould, mildew and other stubborn bathroom stains. Many of these shower cleaners have been tried, tested and are rated by Mumsnet users, which is why you can be sure that these products work.

As well as visiting the Mumsnet forums, we also researched the best shower cleaners using trusted consumer websites and review sites to find the very best bathroom cleaning products for any home.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more of the insightful articles you love, like this one.