My shower is one of those areas I tend to avoid cleaning for as long as possible. Unlike my countertop or cooktop, it requires a lot more than just a quick spray and wipe, and the tub gets gross very quickly with mildew and body hair. This is where a good shower cleaner comes in handy. While I have a few brands that I often come back to, like Clorox and Lysol, I wanted to see if there was a better, more effective option out there.
Over the course of the past few weeks, my colleagues and I tested both chemical and enzyme-based shower cleaners and considered their effectiveness at removing soap scum and water stains, their scent, and whether or not I had to scrub and do a rinse. I also spoke with cleaning professionals for their recommendations and guidance on how to properly clean showers and tubs.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best shower cleaners | The best shower cleaners, tested and reviewed | How to properly clean your shower | Why trust NBC Select?
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How I picked the best shower cleaner
In making this list, I prioritized our experts’ guidance and made sure to consider the following:
- Ingredients: Most shower cleaners fall into three buckets: synthetic, bleach- and plant-based, according to Robin Murphy, founder and CEO of Maid Brigade. The first two are also called traditional cleaners, are bleach-free and rely on synthetic ingredients to do the heavy lifting, she says. This includes “surfactants (such as sodium lauryl sulfate) to break down grime [and] solvents (like glycol ethers) to dissolve soap scum.” Traditional cleaners are less eco-friendly but much stronger than plant-based cleaners, which use surfactants derived from things like coconut oil and sugarcane, according to Murphy. Plant-based cleaners are gentler and safer than traditional cleaners, but may require more effort to get the same job done. To align with Murphy’s guidance, I included cleaners that use synthetic and plant-based ingredients, and a couple that have bleach.
- Disinfectant properties: Not all shower cleaners are disinfectants, so they don’t all kill bacteria — some are only effective on soap scum, grime and water stains. “To clean showers and tubs effectively, you need a product that both cleans and disinfects,” she says. “This ensures you’re not only removing grime and soap scum but also eliminating bacteria, mold, and mildew that thrive in damp environments.” Some products on this list, while not technically disinfectants, can still remove soap scum, limescale and grime, they just can’t target any underlying mold.
- Smell: Most cleaning products have some sort of smell, even ones that are labeled as unscented. The majority of the shower cleaners on this list have some sort of scent, whether that be from added fragrance to mask the smell of natural ingredients, including the plant-based ones, or from strong natural chemical smells.
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The best shower cleaners, tested and reviewed
All of the shower cleaners below are either recommendations from experts I spoke to, ones that NBC Select members tested themselves and/or are highly rated on Amazon.
Best overall shower cleaner: Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom and Shower Cleaner Disinfectant Spray
- Smell doesn’t linger
- Safe on tile, steel and chrome
- Kills flu virus
- Not refillable
I tested out this disinfectant spray on my shower, particularly the edges of my tub, which tend to get the dirtiest from week to week. Most of the grime there is a mix of residual water and product from my body wash, facial cleanser and acne wash. A lot of moisture tends to drip down the sides of those bottles and sit around the edges of the tub, collecting grime along with strands of hair — gross, I know. But when I tried out this spray, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it dissolved all of the visible dirt. I could see the product dissolve well before I started wiping and I didn’t have to do any scrubbing with a tough bristled brush. I also didn’t have to press super hard on the surface of the tub to really get rid of stuck-on residue. It has a slight floral fragrance to it that I didn’t mind since it isn’t strong or bleach-adjacent. The spray was also powerful, unlike some misting ones that aren’t really thorough enough for my liking.
Scented: yes, floral | Contains bleach: no | Chemical foundation: traditional | Disinfectant: yes | Rinse required: yes
Best hydrogen peroxide-based shower cleaner: Lysol Cleaner Hydrogen Peroxide Multi-Purpose Cleaner Spray
- Helps whiten surfaces
- Safe on toilet and vanity
- Kills salmonella
- Rinse needed for food surfaces
Hydrogen peroxide-based cleaners are particularly effective because they whiten surfaces without harsh fumes from ingredients like bleach, according to Jennfier Rodriguez, chief hygiene officer at ProHousekeepers. (Hydrogen peroxide is the same key active ingredient in teeth whitening strips).
I first started using this Lysol hydrogen peroxide cleaner when I wrote our guide on how to clean mold and grout. It’s super effective at cleaning shower surfaces like the tub, but I particularly like how it brightens up the grout in between the tiles on my shower walls. It doesn’t have a strong fragrance, since it’s bleach free, but it does have a subtle clean scent which I personally didn’t mind and I didn’t feel I had to air out the bathroom for hours after to dilute it.
Scented: yes, hydrogen peroxide | Contains bleach: no | Chemical foundation: traditional | Disinfectant: yes | Rinse required: no, except for food contact surfaces
Best eco-friendly shower cleaner: Seventh Generation Disinfecting Bathroom
- Good for small corners
- Don't have to dry or rinse it
- Dye free
- Only for hard surfaces
The Seventh Generation bathroom spray comes recommended by Murphy, who says that it’s a great option because it uses thymol (from thyme oil) as a natural disinfectant to kill germs and bacteria, and break down soap scum and grime. To use it, all you have to do is spray around your shower, let the solution sit for 10 minutes and that’s it — you don’t have to rinse or wipe with a dry paper towel, according to the brand.
Scented: yes, lemongrass | Contains bleach: no | Chemical foundation: plant-based | Disinfectant: yes | Rinse required: no
Best plant-based shower cleaner: Method Daily Shower Spray
- Bottle is recycled plastic
- Safe on metal fixtures
- Hypoallergenic
- Not a disinfectant
The Method Daily Shower Spray comes recommended by Rodriguez, who says it’s her go-to because it prevents soap scum buildup and you don’t have to follow it up with a rinse. “Plus, it smells great,” she says. The enzyme-based cleaner is made with a biodegradable formula that doesn’t have a strong off-putting smell, and you don’t have to rinse after spraying it on your shower, including the tub, the tile walls and the steel parts.
Scented: yes, ylang ylang | Contains bleach: no | Chemical foundation: plant-based | Disinfectant: no | Rinse required: no
Best bleach-free shower cleaner for mold: Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner
- Safe on tile, tubs and toilets
- Kills staph virus
- Not for natural marble
I have an older version of this bleach-free bathroom cleaner from Clorox, which goes to show how long I’ve had it and how sparingly I use it, because of how effective it is. Sometimes, it can be hard to find products from Clorox that don’t have bleach, and this one’s both a disinfectant and doesn’t have the strong bleach stench. I use this in particular when I’ve been around people who are ill to help get rid of any bacteria or germs that may potentially make me sick. In addition to the tub and shower tiles, I use this all the time on my toilet bowl, too, and it gets rid of stuck on grime with minimal scrubbing.
Scented: no | Contains bleach: no | Chemical foundation: traditional | Disinfectant: yes | Rinse required: yes
Best shower cleaner with bleach: Clorox Plus Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover
- Refillable bottle
- Good for shower doors
- Only for hard surfaces
Some substances can be particularly hard to fully get rid of, so Rodriguez recommends trying a strong shower cleaner such as the Clorox Plus Tilex mold and mildew remover. “If you’re battling mold or mildew, this spray is a lifesaver,” she says. “It’s powerful and effective, especially for tile and grout.”The bleach makes it effective enough to kill bacteria that comes from mold, which can potentially make you sick if left untreated, according to experts I previously spoke to. You also don’t have to scrub this after spraying — you can simply spray, wipe and rinse, according to Clorox.
Scented: no | Contains bleach: yes | Chemical foundation: traditional | Disinfectant: yes | Rinse required: yes
Best shower cleaner for scrubbing: Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser
- Good for stuck-on residue
- Removes rust
- Cleans limescale
- Best for stuck-on stains
Bar Keeper’s Friend has a sizable fanbase for its effective and multipurpose cleaning products. The Soft Cleanser from the brand comes recommended by Murphy who says it’s a go-to for super stuck-on residue. This has more of a cream or gel texture, so although it’s not sprayable, it’s ideal for particularly challenging jobs, like getting rid of soap scum that’s been living on your bathtub or tile walls for years. Pair this cleanser with a sponge or stiff-bristled scrub brush to get the most out of it. Although it’s plant-based, it is potentially a severe eye irritant, according to the brand, so you should still use it with caution as with all cleaners.
Scented: yes | Contains bleach: no | Chemical foundation: plant-based | Disinfectant: no | Rinse required: yes
Best scented shower cleaner: Mrs. Meyer’s Probiotic Daily Shower Spray
- Plant based
- No rinsing required
- Gets rid of water stains
- Doesn’t disinfect
I don’t mind cleaning products with scents if they aren’t too strong and don’t irritate my nose or eyes, and this lavender formula has a pleasant smell that isn’t bothersome at all. (The brand sent me a sample to test out for this story). It was especially effective on the stainless steel parts of my shower, which tend to gather a lot of hard water stains. I sprayed it on and around the knob, let it sit for five minutes and then wiped it with a damp paper towel. After it dried a bit, it was shiny and didn’t have little water spots and although it was subtle, I could definitely notice a difference.
Scented: yes, lavender | Contains bleach: no | Chemical foundation: plant based | Disinfectant: no | Rinse required: no
Most sustainable shower cleaner: Blueland Bathroom Cleaning Tablets
- Refillable tablets, not spray
- Has a reusable bottle
- Doesn’t disinfect
NBC Select video producer Josh Rios tested these Blueland bathroom tablets, which is a little different from the rest of the options on this list (the brand sent us courtesy samples for testing). Instead of coming in a standard spray bottle, these come in tablet form, which you add to a reusable bottle with warm water, where it will then dissolve. The tablet, which you can order refills on from the site, turns the water into your cleaning solution in only a couple minutes, according to Rios. “I don’t usually love cleaning products that require you to subscribe to get refills, but with Blueland I didn’t mind at all,” he says. “I could spray it continuously without having to take breaks from strong fumes. The bottle is also made of a really strong plastic that isn’t prone to cracking like with a glass one.”
Scented: yes, eucalyptus | Contains bleach: no | Chemical foundation: plant based | Disinfectant: no | Rinse required: no
Best shower cleaner guard: Oxiclean Shower Guard Daily Shower Cleaner
- Prevents limescale buildup
- Gets rid of hard water stains
- Best for mild messes
In researching shower cleaners for this piece, I learned a little bit about shower protectants, like this OxiClean Shower Guard. This product, which the brand sent a sample of, acts like a shower cleaning sealant, meaning you’re supposed to apply it after cleaning your entire shower so it acts as a guard against soap scum, grime and calcium deposits in the future, according to the brand. NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin tested it out and loves that it eliminates the need for repetitive cleaning. “This spray basically locks in your clean,” she says. “It coats my tile after I get all the grime off with a standard spray, which prevents soap and other dirt from building up as quickly. I definitely think my tile stays cleaner longer when I use this spray, so I’m keeping it in my rotation for deep cleans.”
Scented: no | Contains bleach: no | Chemical foundation: traditional | Disinfectant: yes | Rinse required: no
Best shower cleaner for grout: CLR Mold and Mildew Foaming Stain Remover
- Bleach free
- Can use on grout
- Doesn’t have a scent
- Doesn’t disinfect
I was first introduced to this cleaner when I was doing research for our guides on cleaning mold and grout, and I’ve relied on it to keep my bathroom clean since. Although it has a chemical scent to it, it doesn’t have that strong fragrance or odor stench. It’s specifically formulated for cleaning grout, which is arguably the hardest area of a shower to get rid of mold and mildew from, since it’s porous and soaks up a lot of substances. I use it mainly on the crevices between my tub and the tile walls, where a lot of soapy products tend to drip. It always does a great job of getting rid of sticky residue from leftover soap and I can see the color of the grout in my shower lighten partially after using it.
Scented: no, but has a smell | Contains bleach: no | Chemical foundation: traditional | Disinfectant: no | Rinse required: yes
Best shower cleaner for glass doors: Windex Glass and Window Cleaner
- Gets rid of streaks
- Pleasant scent
- No rinse required
- Doesn’t disinfect
This Windex Glass and Window cleaner will help keep your glass shower doors (or other glass decor pieces like cabinets and mirrors. In my experience using it, it’s highly efficient at getting rid of residue, fingerprints and streaks, though it doesn’t have any disinfectant properties in it so it technically can’t take care of mold. It has a subtle, pleasant “clean” scent to it, but I try not to spray too much of it at once so it doesn’t fill up my bathroom because it can be strong.
Scented: yes, clean | Contains bleach: no | Chemical foundation: traditional | Disinfectant: no | Rinse required: no
Best shower cleaner for soap scum: Clorox Ultra Foamer Bathroom Cleaner
- Good for small corners
- Don’t have to dry it
- Rinse required
The Clorox Ultra Foamer is a spray that’s effective on small cracks and bathroom corners, like around the shower knobs and bathtub grout. It gets rid of soap scum, which often collects around shower drains and tub corners, where residual product tends to lay dormant. In addition to the shower, you can use this cleaner, which has a 4.6-star average rating from 2,318 reviews on Amazon, on other surfaces in your bathroom, like the sink or outside of the toilet.
Scented: no, but has a chemical-like smell | Contains bleach: no | Chemical foundation: traditional | Disinfectant: no | Rinse required: yes
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How to shop for shower cleaners
There are a few key aspects to consider when choosing a shower cleaner for your space. Here’s what our experts recommend keeping in mind:
Cleaner type
As I mentioned above, you should decide if you want to go the plant-based route or choose more traditional shower cleaners, either with or without bleach. Plant-based cleaners are good at getting rid of soap scum and grime, but they aren’t always disinfectants or as thorough as traditional cleaners. Traditional cleaners are better at killing mold and mildew, according to Rodriguez.
Sprays, foams, pastes and gels
The majority of the products on this list are sprays or sprays that turn into foam. They’ll give you more versatility and make it easier to access high or hard to reach areas. On the other hand, gels and pastes are abrasive so they’re really effective at targeting caked-on grime during deep cleans, according to Kadi Dulude, owner of Wizard of Homes, who recommends Soft Scrub’s All Purpose Cleanser. “It easily gets the surfaces cleaned, disinfected and as shiny and bright as possible without too much scrubbing or polishing needed,” she says. “It’s also not as tough on your lungs as sprays can be.” Keep in mind, pastes and gels aren’t as easy to distribute as a spray and they require more rinsing, according to Dulude.
Cleaning accessories
In addition to an effective shower cleaner, you’ll also have to invest in some tools to compliment them, such as scrub brushes, sponges and cloths. Brushes and sponges, for example, act as abrasives, meaning their coarse texture helps release stuck-on grime from your tub. Plus, items like squeegees help get rid of excess water on the tiles and glass doors of your shower in between uses, making less of a mess to clean up later.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Robin Murphy is the president and founder of professional cleaning services company Maid Brigade, based in Westchester, NY.
- Jennifer Rodriguez is the chief hygiene officer at professional housekeeping services company ProHouskeeper.
- Kadi Dulude of home cleaning services company Wizard of Homes.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I write about cleaning products and appliances. I’ve written roundups on the best dishwasher detergents, the most effective way to clean hardwood floors and the best handheld vacuums. For this story, I spoke with two cleaning experts and tested out shower cleaners with my co-workers.
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