When it comes to keeping the house clean, I don’t usually complain about doing chores. I can handle laundry without a second thought, and vacuuming has never been an issue. Even cleaning the toilets doesn’t bother me much. But there’s one task I’ve always dreaded, and that’s scrubbing the bathtub and shower.

Something about the combination of stubborn grime, mildew, and hard water stains just makes it feel like the most frustrating and thankless job in the house. No matter how often I clean it, there always seems to be that thin layer of buildup that just won’t go away. Thankfully, I came across a simple yet effective cleaning hack that has made this dreaded chore much more manageable, and now I want to share it with anyone else who feels the same way. The best part is that you don’t need to buy any expensive products or fancy tools to make this work. All you need is a bottle of Dawn liquid dish soap, some distilled white vinegar, and a dish wand—the kind with a sponge on one end that you’d normally use for scrubbing pots and pans.

Start by removing the sponge head if needed, then fill the handle of the wand with equal parts Dawn dish soap and distilled vinegar. Shake it a bit to mix the solution, and just like that, you’ve got a powerful homemade cleaner that can tackle the toughest grime in your tub and shower. When you’re ready to clean, begin by wetting down the walls and floor of your tub or shower. This helps the solution spread more easily and ensures that it clings to the surfaces you’re trying to clean. Then use your filled wand to scrub the surfaces, focusing on areas where you typically see the most buildup.

Let the cleaning solution sit on the surfaces for 10 to 15 minutes to give it time to break down all the gunk, soap scum, and hard water stains. After waiting, rinse the entire area thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining residue. Be careful during this part—because the dish soap can make surfaces very slippery, it’s important to take precautions, especially if you’re cleaning while standing inside the tub or shower. One of the best things about this hack is how easy it is to fit into your daily routine. For example, if you’re already in the shower, you can apply conditioner to your hair and then take a few minutes to scrub down the walls while the conditioner does its job.

Not only are you multitasking, but you’re also keeping your shower cleaner on a regular basis without having to block out extra time for deep cleaning. Another smart tip is to keep the dish wand right in your shower so you can use it anytime you notice some grime or buildup starting to form. This way, instead of letting the mess pile up until it becomes overwhelming, you can tackle it in small doses, making the whole process much less stressful. The beauty of this approach is that it’s inexpensive, easy to use, and surprisingly effective. The combination of vinegar and dish soap creates a powerful cleaner that can cut through tough stains and leave your shower looking like new without having to resort to harsh chemicals. Plus, because the ingredients are gentle, it’s a great solution for households with kids, pets, or anyone with sensitive skin. Once you give this method a try, chances are you’ll never look at tub and shower cleaning the same way again. What used to be a dreaded chore becomes a simple task that you can knock out quickly and easily, and with far better results than many commercial cleaners offer. With a little consistency and this handy trick in your cleaning toolkit, maintaining a fresh, sparkling tub and shower can finally feel like a chore you don’t have to hate.