How to Clean Shower Caddy and Accessories

Shower caddies, soap dishes, loofahs, and other shower accessories accumulate soap scum, mold, mildew, and mineral deposits that are often overlooked during regular bathroom cleaning. A dirty caddy reintroduces grime into your clean shower and can harbor bacteria. Here's how to clean every common shower accessory properly.

Why Shower Accessories Get So Dirty

• Constant moisture creates ideal conditions for mold and mildew
• Soap and shampoo residue accumulates on all surfaces
• Hard water minerals deposit as water evaporates
• Loofahs and sponges trap dead skin cells and bacteria
• Caddy shelves collect standing water that promotes mold growth

How to Clean a Shower Caddy

What You'll Need

• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Old toothbrush or small brush
• Microfiber cloth
• Rubber gloves

Recommended: white vinegar, baking soda, microfiber cloths, and rubber gloves.

Cleaning a Metal Shower Caddy

1. Remove all products from the caddy.
2. Soak the caddy in a bathtub filled with warm water and 2 cups of white vinegar for 30–60 minutes.
3. Scrub all surfaces with a brush, paying attention to the shelf edges and drainage holes where soap scum accumulates.
4. For stubborn mineral deposits, apply a baking soda paste and scrub.
5. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely before returning to the shower.

Cleaning a Plastic Shower Caddy

1. Remove all products.
2. Spray with equal parts vinegar and water.
3. Let sit for 10–15 minutes.
4. Scrub with a brush and rinse.
5. For mold spots, apply diluted bleach (1 tablespoon per cup of water), let sit 5 minutes, scrub, and rinse.
6. Dry completely before returning to the shower.

Cleaning a Rust-Prone Metal Caddy

If your caddy has rust spots:

1. Apply CLR to rust spots, let sit 2 minutes, scrub, and rinse.
2. Dry thoroughly after every shower to prevent rust from returning.
3. Apply a thin coat of car wax to metal surfaces to protect against moisture.

How to Clean a Soap Dish

1. Remove the soap and any accumulated soap residue.
2. Soak in white vinegar for 15–20 minutes.
3. Scrub with a brush and rinse.
4. For wall-mounted soap dishes, spray with vinegar, let sit, scrub, and wipe clean.
5. Dry before replacing the soap.

Tip: Place a small sponge or pebbles in the soap dish to elevate the bar soap and allow water to drain — this prevents the soap from sitting in a puddle and creating a slimy mess.

How to Clean a Loofah or Bath Sponge

Loofahs and bath sponges harbor bacteria, mold, and dead skin cells. They need regular cleaning and frequent replacement.

Weekly Cleaning

1. Rinse thoroughly after every use and wring out completely.
2. Weekly: soak in a solution of 1 tablespoon bleach per gallon of water for 5 minutes.
3. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely in a well-ventilated area — not inside the shower.

When to Replace

• Natural loofahs: every 3–4 weeks
• Synthetic sponges: every 4–6 weeks
• Any loofah that smells musty: replace immediately

How to Clean a Shower Mat

1. Remove from the shower and shake out loose debris.
2. Machine wash on a warm, gentle cycle with laundry detergent and ½ cup of white vinegar.
3. Air dry completely before returning to the shower — never put rubber-backed mats in the dryer.
4. Clean the suction cups: soak in vinegar for 15 minutes to restore suction.

How to Clean Shampoo and Soap Bottles

1. Wipe the exterior of bottles with a vinegar-dampened cloth weekly.
2. Pay attention to the bottom of bottles where soap residue accumulates on the caddy shelf.
3. Rinse bottle caps and pump dispensers regularly to prevent clogging.

How Often Should You Clean Shower Accessories?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put my shower caddy in the dishwasher?

Plastic caddies can go in the dishwasher on a normal cycle. Metal caddies should be hand-washed — dishwasher detergent can strip protective coatings and accelerate rust.

How do I prevent my shower caddy from rusting?

Dry the caddy after every shower, apply car wax to metal surfaces every few months, and choose a caddy with a rust-resistant coating (stainless steel or coated aluminum). Avoid leaving wet items sitting on the shelves.

Is it safe to use a loofah every day?

Yes, if you rinse and dry it thoroughly after every use and replace it regularly. A loofah that stays damp between uses grows bacteria rapidly. Hang it outside the shower to dry completely.

Final Thoughts

Shower accessories are easy to overlook but important to maintain. A monthly caddy soak in vinegar, weekly soap dish cleaning, regular loofah replacement, and weekly shower mat washing keep your entire shower environment hygienic. The most important habit for all accessories is drying them completely after every shower — moisture is the root cause of mold, mildew, and rust on every shower accessory.