They say it's like having a maid. We haven't actually tried it, but somehow we tend to doubt the claim of the Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner.
One up side is that the device is automatic (it's battery-charged). This means you don't have to be near the harmful chemicals when they are sprayed into your shower. But does it really do the job?
We think we'd rather slip on a pair of rubber gloves and scrub away with a less-toxic cleanser like any of those listed here.
But back to the Scrubbing Bubbles Auto... Maybe you've used it yourself or maybe you just have a hunch like us. Either way, what do you think?
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I tried setting one up in my shower, and during the install broke it. Cheap plastic. Also, if you have a shower organizer hanging from your showerhead already, you'll have to make a choice between the Cleaner and your organizer.
I'm a HUGE fan! I don't use the automatic thing, but I do buy the shower cleaner spray in a hand-held bottle --you just spray it in your shower after you're done. I usually buy the generic stuff at Target though - about 20% cheaper than the branded stuff.
Our cleaning lady asked us if we ever used the shower, or if she could clean it on alternate visits -- the spray kept it so clean that she thought we were showering somewhere else!
i tried the target generic stuff and it didn't work. maybe i'm a dirty dirty girl?
I had one, didn't work so good. I would imagine though that it would work much better in stand alone shower.
Meg - what are you using? Is it the generic version of Tilex Fresh Shower Daily Shower Cleaner? I've been thinking of trying one of those types of products. Does it get rid of mildew?
It's a huge disappointment. It leaves a dull film on the tub and tile, and doesn't do anything to prevent or remove mildew stains. Now, I use Seventh Generation bathroom cleaner and a dry towel. It does a great job and leaves the surfaces shiny. There are no fumes, and it only takes a couple of minutes to clean the whole shower.
I have had this for a long time. I was part of their "test market". I do NOT recommend it. It doesn't clean very well, it's ugly, it takes up a lot of room. AND if you have pets that occasionally play in the shower - they could be snacking on chemicals.
Julie - I think I will try Seventh Generation, thanks for the recommendation. The reason I haven't tried one of the daily spray things yet is because I thought it seemed strange that you don't rinse it off.
While we're on the bathroom cleaning discussion, I have a question to pose for you all:
I am serverely allergic to bleach (chlorine-based anything, really), so I clean with natural products. Lately, I've been noticing little mildew lines growing from the caulk between our tub and tiles. Now I know that bleach-based products are the most obvious choice for killing this stuff, but are there any other options? Anyone used something semi-natural with good results? Thanks!
Ally: I remember reading very recently about using peroxide instead of bleach. I think I read it on AT, too. Not sure.
Ally:
It was on AT:Los Angeles. They say to use diluted hydrogen peroxide. Click my name for a link.
Ally, I think KD is right... get a fresh bottle of peroxide in as high of a percentage as you can buy. It probably won't be as magical as bleach, but I bet it'll work pretty well.
I've been using the Method after-shower spray cleaner for about 6 weeks now and I have to say it works really well. Where I really see the difference is the clear shower liner -- it stays clear!
I agree with Mid-C Frank. Method after shower spay rules. Smells good, no scary chemicals, and it works. Target even has jumbo refill sizes to save money & plastic.
The only advantage I see to the automatic unit is if you share a shower with someone so young/lazy they aren't willing to spritz a bit every time they finish showering.
I'm with Mid-C Frank, too. I use the Method daily stuff that smells like Ylang Ylang and it's really splendid.
I guess I won't be buying one of these....cuz I was certainly thinking about it the last few weeks.
Thanks everyone!!!
I used the Scrubbing Bubbles in a can. After having to vacate the bathroom for the sixth time to catch my breath, I actually considered the automatic cleaner... until I remembered that sometimes my puppies like to jump in the tub and play.
So I recently started using the Method shower spray (and a few other Method products) and so far, I'm really pleased with them. I bought the OMOP cleaner (I didn't get the mop because it just doesn't feel clean if I haven't scrubbed it on my hands and knees) and I love it! Everything is super clean and shiny and I don't have to worry about my puppies.
The method OMOP rules! It's excellent, and you're right the cleaner seems to work really well! Plus you don't have to throw away a wet "mop" sheet everytime you're done mopping. Just take the reusable cloth and wash it, or rinse it out! (So ends my sales pitch.)
Method and Seventh, both are great cleaners and non-toxic. My cats drink only running water so the bath is where they hangout. I also sleep in the shower on my migraine days, it's the darkest coolest quietest place in my apt...blackout blinds do not darken my bedroom enough.
I'm a Method person to. (Why don't you try acting?)It works well and smells delicious. However, it does not preclude the occassional grout/bleach cleaning.
I used to be a cleaning lady... and for people who are NOT allergic to bleach, I reccommend that this is the easiest / cheapest way to go:
Get a spray bottle ($1.50)
Fill it with a fairly strong solution of Bleach mixed with water and a dash of dish soap ($1.50)
Once a week, after you have your shower, before you go to work, spray down the shower with the solution and leave it while you work.
Come back after at least an hour ( give the bleach time to work) and give it a very light scub/ rinse before use. The mildew and grime with whisk away magically with no scrubbing...
If you are allergic to bleach, you could mix:
Dish soap ( or Dr Bronners) / water/ white vinegar (or hydrogen peroxide, or lemon Juice)
This is easy, cheap, and does not comsume tons of packaging or time. Conventional , heavily packaged, heavily scented cleaning products are a GIANT ripoff, they are usually based on either bleach or ammonia. I guarantee you that this above product you are discussing is just bleach spray in fancy packaging....The only houseold products I buy are: ( all generic) bleach, ammonia, scouring powder, citrus cleaner , dish soap, white vinegar. Don't be a dupe of packaging its SUCH a waste!
Love the Method Ylang-Ylang also!! But I will be printing out this post to show my husband who has been wanting the Scrubbing Bubbles thing. My argument was always -- and I have been resisting because I think I would need to remove my soap, shampoo, razor, etc. all the time so it doesn't get bathroom cleanser on it. And I agree with Jean -- it is ugly!
I have the scrubbing bubbles system, but haven't even oppened it yet, and its not too late to take it back so that probably what I will do, but what about using method produts in the dispenser? has anyone tried this?
I was given the automatic shower cleaner for free, and at first thought it was great - it got the old grout in my rented apt's shower cleaner than I had ever seen it. However, at the 6th month mark it died (I'd tried changing the batteries, banging it around, nothing.) A friend who purchased it has the exact same experience - sixth month mark, died. I did a search on Google and turned up multiple postings with the six month death phenomenon. Don't buy!
good housekeeping gives the scrubber a big thumbs down. I like method shower spray.
the MAGIC ERASER. try it, it's good. No spraying, no odor. I use a glove when I erase my tub, but that's just because I have sensitive skin. You still have to scrub, but it's not as unpleasant when the chemicals don't sting in your eyes.
My husband and I bought the automatic shower cleaner, but we have a gold colored surround on the tub and it turned it white. Yes, gold, we're renting so it was chosen for the apartments in the 70's. The spray is uneven. My husband even stood in the shower once while it went off to see how it actually sprayed(Please don't try that). It says it reaches all the way to the other end, but ours didn't. Pretty much, it cleaned our shower curtian and not our tub. Our shower curtian cost $1 at the dollar store, so technically, we just spent $20 cleaning a $1 shower curtian. Go figure.
I don't like the daily sprays because I have contacts. And when I'm done with my shower, I don't want to touch the shower cleaner bottle and then put my hands in my eyes. So I thought the one-touch button was a novel idea. Too bad novel ideas don't always work.
The Magic eraser is a novel idea though, and it works. Try it.
I got the automatic cleaner because 1) I am lazy and 2) I am busy.
But unfortunately, I do have to say - it's not awesome. We installed it on the side of the shower so it sprayed all around, but our (old) bathtub still is getting dirty. I suppose I'll actually have to clean (whine!)
I'm interested in try this Method shower spray - and I'm curious about the omop.
Oh, and NOT more than 80 cleanings inside. We run it once a day. We bought it in the middle of January. We're on our 3rd bottle.
No amount of clean is worth that amount of ugly!
And I agree that the Magic Eraser works amazingly well, but gloves are essential.
Ally: If it's growing from the caulk, and it's been a while since the caulk was changed or it's visibly cracked, you should just remove all the caulk and recaulk the tub. It takes 15 minutes and it's well worth it, because if there is any water getting behind the caulk, the hydrogen peroxide will still clean mildew or mold on the surface but a more serious problem could be lurking behind the tiles.
I'm like Rachel -- I'm also lazy and busy. But unfortunately, this automatic one isn't great. It's not horrible, but I don't think my shower is that much cleaner. For one, if you use their attachment, it's simply way too low to spray the entire stall -- of course it depends on the height of your showerhead; but unless your showerhead is way high, it just won't spray the upper part of the shower. It does keep my vinyl shower curtain fairly clean, even though I have hard water.
Has anyone tried to "hack" the unit by using the Method spray liquid in the automatic bottle? As much as the automatic cleaner is not good, I LOVE the idea of just pushing a button a walk way. Go ahead and snicker -- but I don't want to scrub by hand, and I don't even want to spray by hand. (Yeah, I'm that lazy...)
What is the METHOD and where does one buy it?
I was going to ask the same thing. Can you put the method cleaner in the Scrubbing Bubbles machine? I just got this machine a couple of weeks ago and I noticed a whitish film on my glass shower doors and it's a streaky film. I really like pushing a button and walking away, but I don't feel like this is doing much except maybe keeping the dirt looser so it's easier to scrub. How about putting the bleach/water/dishsoap mixure suggested above in it?