Ever since I saw this post, I’ve been dying to try it. That post gives the overview, mine gives the long view—with some additional tweaking.

This is what I’ve been using to clean my shower:

This is what I’ll be using today:

Needed items include: Kosher salt, grapefruit, a mixing bowl of warm water, and a washcloth. In my area, grapefruit is on sale 4/$1.00 and the salt regularly costs $1.19. I had a $0.40 coupon that doubled, so I spent $0.39 on the salt and $1.00 on the grapefruit. Scrubbing Bubbles and scrub sponges cost much more. I have enough for 2 cleans, so it’s only going to cost me $0.69 today.

If you dread cleaning the way I do, I also recommend putting on some tunes. I like Comcast’s ’80’s Channel. Cleaning is much less boring if I can rock out.

Ready? Let’s get started.

*Word to the wise* If you have any hangnails or cuts on your hands, wear gloves!

Step 1:  Let the grapefruit come to room temp. if refrigerated. It’s juicier and easier if not ice-cold. Cut each grapefruit in half. You’ll need 2 halves for the shower walls and 2 halves for the tub.  (I have a shower curtain, which I didn’t include. If you have a shower door, additional fruit may be needed.)

Step 2:  Using 1 half, start at the top of the shower wall. Squirt juice & let it drip down. Repeat until all walls are covered.

Step 3:  Coat the remaining half with salt. Use this as a scrubber, adding more as needed. It will take approximately 15 mins, start to finish.

Step 4:  Fold up a towel and lay it on the floor next to the tub. Kneeling on the towel, scrub the tub just as you did the shower walls.  (Took another 12 mins.)

Step 5:  Remove all fallen seeds from tub floor.

Step 6:  Discard the grapefruit. Wash hands. Put away salt (I had 1/2 bottle left). Grab the bowl of water and the washcloth and start rinsing. Begin with the walls and let the clean water drip into the tub.  Refill water as needed.

Done! You can dry it by hand—too much work for me!—or let it air dry. Marvel at your handiwork.

Having tried this in a very small, windowless bathroom, I can assure you it smells way better than the chemical cleaner that makes me gag. It also seems to produce an equally clean result. Will I be replacing the Scrubbing Bubbles?

Pros:  Cheap, nice smell, good mini workout with all the scrubbing and rinsing

Cons:  Messy, takes longer, more scrubbing

All in all, I really liked this method and I encourage everyone to try it.

Do you prefer homemade or commercial cleaners? Which works better?