This DIY Shower Scrub Made Me Weirdly Happy
Unexpected joy is often tucked inside life’s most ordinary corners.
I was just out of my usual scrub. No big deal. But instead of running to the store, I figured I’d try making my own. I’d seen DIY versions floating around for for a while and always thought, that’s cute — maybe one day. Well, that day came. And ... it felt kind of amazing.
I didn’t realize how much stress I’d been carrying around every time I cleaned the bathroom. Gloves on. Fan blasting. Making sure my son was nowhere near the fumes. Watching every splash that hit my skin. Worrying about my lungs. Worrying about his lungs. Worrying about the chemicals that I was exposing myself to.
But this time, I made the scrub with food-grade ingredients from my own kitchen — and used it while my son came in to chat with me mid-scrub. Normally, I’d have asked him to leave. He doesn’t really understand why, even though I try to explain. But this time? He stayed. I kept scrubbing. And it felt completely fine. Safe. Even sweet.
Turns out, that little moment — cleaning with zero worry — was weirdly freeing.
A Note on Traditional Cleaners
Many common household cleaning products — including dish soap and bathroom sprays — contain ingredients known as endocrine disruptors, which can interfere with hormones and biological processes.
According to a Harvard Health article, recent studies suggest that exposure to certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chemicals found in cleaners may be linked to increased risks of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers. Some VOCs, like benzene and formaldehyde, have even been associated with cancer by the American Lung Association.
While experts agree that more research is needed, I figure: Why wait for more bad news when a simple food-grade scrub works just as well. It is easy to make in under 3 min., non-toxic and smells great too!
What’s In the Scrub (and Why It Works)
This isn’t a throw-it-together-and-hope-for-the-best kind of recipe. The ingredients actually do something:
Baking soda: Gently abrasive and naturally deodorizing
Salt: Adds grit for tougher grime, plus it’s antimicrobial
Castile soap: Lifts grease and grime while making it all spread like butter
Essential oils (optional): Tea tree, eucalyptus, or lemon oil can add scent and even mild antibacterial benefits
This combo doesn’t just smell nice — it works. And it rinses clean without any weird residue.
And for those of you who are financially conscious - all of these ingredients can be found, in bulk, at Costco. Now that is some cost savings! Not only is it non-toxic, easy & kid friendly - but it’s also cheaper than your average pre-made options.
Magic Shower Scrub Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup baking soda
¼ cup coarse salt (like kosher or sea salt)
¼ cup liquid castile soap
Optional: 10–15 drops essential oil (tea tree, lemon, lavender — whatever you like)
Instructions:
Mix baking soda and salt in a bowl.
Stir in the castile soap until a paste forms.
Add essential oils if using.
Scoop onto a sponge, cloth, or scrub brush and get to work.
Tip: It spreads surprisingly well — I think the soap helps it glide easier than some store-bought paste cleaners.
Storage Tips & Notes
Store in an air-tight container. I used a mason jar - per the usual!
Best used fresh. It can dry out or separate over time — especially if water is added.
If it dries out: You can revive it with a little more soap.
If you added water already: Use it up within a day or two and keep it sealed. Tap water can introduce bacteria.
Future trick: Pre-mix the dry ingredients and store in a jar. Just add castile soap when you're ready to scrub.
Cleaning vs. Disinfecting
Here’s the thing: Most bathrooms don’t need to be disinfected every time. According to the CDC, cleaning with soap and water removes most germs and is sufficient for keeping your bathroom sanitary in everyday situations. Disinfecting (with bleach or EPA‑registered products) is only recommended when someone is sick—with bodily fluids present—or there’s a heightened risk due to illness in the household. Check out the article from the CDC @ cdc.gov.
Backed by trusted sources like the CDC, this scrub gets the job done — safely, effectively, and without harming your lungs or skin.
Where Else You Can Use It
Sinks
Tile grout
Shower walls
Around faucets
Even the outer toilet bowl
Avoid using it on:
Marble or natural stone (baking soda can be too abrasive)
Wood or any surface that doesn’t like water
Glass — not ideal as it can leave a film
Want the Printable Version?
I put together a free PDF of this recipe plus my go-to Magic Spray Cleaner and DIY Laundry Detergent. These are the three I use most in my home — safe enough for kids, effective enough for actual grime.
Download The Clean Trio PDF and stick it inside a cabinet or on the fridge for easy reference.
What About Mold?
Let’s talk about it — because bathroom mold happens, especially if you live somewhere humid (hi, Hawaii!).
If you’ve got light mold or mildew stains, this DIY scrub can absolutely help. Especially if you add a few drops of tea tree or clove essential oil, which both have natural anti-fungal properties. I also like to follow up with a quick vinegar spray after scrubbing — just to make sure any lingering spores get zapped.
But if the mold is really set in (like deep in the grout or caulking), you may need a little backup. Try this:
DIY Anti-Mold Paste
1 cup baking soda
2–3 tbsp water (just enough to make a paste)
10 drops tea tree or clove oil
Slather it on the moldy area, let it sit for 30–60 minutes, then scrub and rinse. Follow up with a spritz of white vinegar to finish the job.
Still not cutting it? A spray of 3% hydrogen peroxide is CDC-approved and non-toxic — just let it sit 10 minutes before scrubbing.
This way, you're still avoiding bleach, still protecting your lungs, and still getting the job done. Mold doesn’t stand a chance.
Final Thoughts
I didn’t expect a DIY cleaner to give me a moment of peace and joy. But it did. It reminded me that something as ordinary as scrubbing a tub can feel good — if you’re not inhaling chemicals or worried about harming your kid.
Try it once. You might like it more than you think.
Have a favorite non-toxic cleaner you swear by?
Or a moment of unexpected joy that caught you off guard?
I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
Magic Shower Scrub Recipe
This easy DIY shower scrub is made with baking soda, salt, and Castile soap — no harsh chemicals, just real ingredients that actually work. It scrubs away soap scum, leaves your tub sparkling, and is gentle enough to use around kids. Perfect for anyone looking to clean their bathroom without the toxic fumes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup baking soda
- ¼ cup coarse salt (like kosher or sea salt)
- ¼ cup liquid Castile soap
- Optional: 10–15 drops essential oil (tea tree, lemon, lavender — whatever you like)
Instructions
- Mix baking soda and salt in a bowl.
- Stir in the castile soap until a paste forms.
- Add essential oils if using.
- Scoop onto a sponge, cloth, or scrub brush and get to work.
Notes
Tip: It spreads surprisingly well — I think the soap helps it glide easier than some store-bought paste cleaners.