How to remove dirty marks off a till shower floor?

by TJ
(TEMPE, AZ)


I have been trying to scrub these spots off of my shower floor and nothing seems to work. I have try the vinegar and dawn mixture, barkeepers friend, and other common household cleaners. The are that gets these dirty spots is right under where I stand while I take a shower and honestly I am not sure how they even accumulate. Any suggestions on how to remove them? Please see the pictures for refernce.

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Oct 11, 2026
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starstarstarstarstar 		How to Remove Stubborn Dark Spots From a Shower Floor
by: Tara Aronson

Those mysterious shower floor spots can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you've already tried vinegar, Dawn, Bar Keepers Friend, and practically everything else under the kitchen sink.

And the fact that they're concentrated right where you stand? That's an important clue.

Since I can't see the photos here, I can't identify the spots with certainty. But there are several possibilities worth investigating before you do any more scrubbing.

What Could Be Causing the Spots?

1. Body oils and soap residue

The area directly beneath your feet collects body oils, shampoo, conditioner, soap, and whatever else washes off during a shower.

Over time, these substances can combine with minerals in the water and form stubborn deposits.

2. Dirt transferred from your feet

Even clean-looking feet carry oils, dead skin cells, and tiny amounts of dirt. Repeated exposure in the same spot can gradually discolor a shower floor.

3. Mineral deposits

Hard water can leave mineral buildup that traps other residue, creating gray, brown, or dark-looking patches.

4. Damage or discoloration of the shower surface

Here's the possibility I'd consider seriously in your situation.

If vinegar, dish soap, Bar Keepers Friend, and other cleaners haven't made any difference, the marks may not be ordinary dirt.

Some shower floors, especially acrylic and fiberglass, can develop worn or damaged areas where the protective finish becomes dull or porous-looking. These areas may discolor and become increasingly difficult to clean.

What I Recommend Trying Next

Step 1: Identify your shower floor material.

Is it fiberglass, acrylic, ceramic tile, porcelain, or natural stone?

This matters enormously. A cleaner that's perfectly appropriate for glazed ceramic tile could damage acrylic or natural stone.

Step 2: Stop using abrasive cleaners for now.

Bar Keepers Friend contains abrasives, and acidic cleaners such as vinegar aren't suitable for every surface.

If the shower floor has a protective finish, repeated aggressive cleaning could make the problem worse.

Step 3: Try one gentle cleaning.

If the manufacturer permits it, use a pH-neutral bathroom cleaner appropriate for your shower floor.

Apply according to the label, gently wipe with a soft cloth or nonabrasive sponge, rinse thoroughly, and dry.

Don't combine cleaning products.

Step 4: Examine the spots after the floor dries.

Ask yourself:

Do the spots feel rough or raised?

Are they smooth but darker than the surrounding floor?

Do they temporarily disappear when wet?

Does the surface look dull or worn in those areas?

Raised deposits may indicate buildup. Smooth discoloration that never changes with cleaning may indicate staining or surface damage.

What If Nothing Works?

If the spots remain completely unchanged after appropriate cleaning, I'd stop experimenting with stronger chemicals.

At that point, you may be dealing with permanent staining, worn surface coating, or discoloration within the material itself.

A shower refinishing specialist or the shower manufacturer's customer service department may be able to recommend a safe treatment.

My Recommendation

Before trying another cleaner, I'd love to know what material your shower floor is made of.

That's the key to recommending something that might actually work without damaging the surface.

You've already done enough scrubbing to qualify for an honorary housekeeping medal. Let's make sure the next attempt is worth the effort!

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