What is Soap Scum?
Soap scum or limescale is a filmy layer of material which forms around showers, sinks, tubs, and other areas where soap and water are often present together. It is caused by the minerals which are naturally present in water. When these minerals combine with soap, they create a sticky mixture which adheres to surrounding surfaces, slowly creating a scaly buildup which may also include body oils, dead skin, hair, and dirt. For many people, soap scum is a regular cleaning bugbear, especially if they live in areas with hard water. Regular soap scum is white to gray in color. However, the soap scum often acts as an ideal substrate for algae and molds, and it may develop a rainbow of colors along with some undesirable odors. When soap scum is allowed to build up to this point, it can also become very difficult to remove. Only heavy scrubbing and a strong cleaner will be able to penetrate the layers of soap scum. Most people are less interested in knowing what soap scum is and more interested