Surely you jest?????

all you have to do is pull the pin!

What is this, slimy, fuzzy? I'd start with bleach.

A sledge hammer is under $200.

It's probably healthier to get rid of it. It'll cost more to replace it but I rather spend the extra money doing that and getting rid of all traces of it than scrubbing away and inhaling any bit of...that and then possibly leaving trace amounts.

IF that's mold growing on soap scum residue, look online to see if any of your box stores sell Concrobium. It's a mold/mildewcide type of product. I'd recommend using it instead of bleach.

Apply it with a spray bottle to completely saturate the surface without disturbing the surface. Don't scrub. Just spray and walk away. Let the Concrobium kill all there is to be killed. Come back the next day, spray again to saturate. Then lightly scrub, perhaps with a scotch-brite type of scrub pad, and wash down the walls to remove the initial caking of surface crud. If it comes clean right away, terrific. But plan on doing a couple of rinse-and-repeat scrubbings.

Once you get the first scrubbing down done, you should be able to tell if it's salvageable or not regarding stains. Some surfaces can be polished to remove surface stains. Some can't.

In case it is a mold, protect your lungs, eyes, skin, adjacent areas, etc.

When done, I'd consider spraying down and wiping down the entire bathroom and maybe even some of the adjacent spaces with Concrobium.

Those vintage taps though...

A "Magic Eraser" type product might work too. Many of them. That looks like years and years of soap scum.

Try Tilex cleaner and let soak for about 1/2 hour. I use Tiles on my grout when it starts to yellow. Then I would try scraping with a plastic putty knife. Or I use this to clean my tub/shower for routine cleaning (its not like this though) and it works good . I like it better than any cleaner on the market and it is cheap to make.

Magic Cleaner -

2 oz Blue Dawn, 4 oz lemon juice, 8 oz white vinegar, and 10 oz water. Put in large spray bottle and shake. Spray on and let sit, in your case I would get it at least a 1/2 hour if not longer and spray to keep moist. In your case you will probably have to do this a couple times.

Easy Off Oven Cleaner, in the blue can, fumeless... it still has some fumes so use with the vent fan on. It might take a couple cans or so but it is great at removing built up soap scum....and it will not harm the fixtures

Call the HazMat people.

what is the material the shower walls are made of? I would be all for some kind of caustic remover, but being careful not to scratch the surfaces either chemically or mechanically. More scratches would lead to a breeding ground.

Let us know how it goes.

The surround appears to be an inexpensive acrylic surround available at a box store for under $100. As badly as that is likely to be damaged from scrubbing, I think I'd concentrate on getting the fixtures clean and removing the old surround and replacing it. That might be a bit more than $200 when it's all done, but so worth it! Good luck!

Good advice above. Be sure to wear gloves and a good mask!

Side note: Is that a fresh bar of soap, like someone is currently showering in this?!

Try getting it wet and scouring with borax (like the 20 Mule Team stuff from the laundry dept.). It's surprisingly good on some bathroom scums and won't make you sick using it. If it doesn't work, you can use it in the laundry.

I doubt anyone has gotten sick yet, otherwise there wouldn’t be this post. I like the borax idea.

Most stuff that grows in showers won't make you sick unless you're allergic to it. Just be safe about it. There is no cause to trash something that just needs a little cleaning.

Not everybody has the luxury of having money be the least of their concerns.

Cecil,

Try the product recommended by Mongo. Spend the remaining money on fixing the water heater. Head over to the Plumbing forum for some advice on how to fix. The fix may be cheaper and easier than you think.

Good luck!

I have no new advice to add that is better than what has already been given, but wanted to say I am thinking positive thoughts that this big job can be remedied inexpensively and is not too overwhelming. I wish you luck and commend your DIY attitude.

I am presently attempting to avoid servepro costs and DIYing a flood remediation. I have been dry vacuuming, dehumidifying, moving floor dryers in my finished basement after a washing machine flood. It seemed so overwhelming on New Year's Day that I thought we would need to pay servepro thousands to tear everything out to dry it and than pay thousands on a new floor but we were able to do it ourselves and as of now everything is again dry and clean and we only took up a few strategic spots of floor, LVP glued down, and were able to lift in corners to vent entire sub floor. It has taken a week of work but it is working and cost us the price of a floor drier. Remediation companies seem to always offer the tear up throw away, buy new solutions but that is not the only way sometimes.

You too can see this through to a clean finished result, I believe.

Cecil, blessed are you for helping your Grandma and trying to tackle this! I'm assuming she lives alone or with another elder? If so, have you tried any of the social services in your area that might provide help to her, like replacing the water heater or other essential repairs? Often they have free or low cost services designed to help seniors remain in their homes. Some even can provide helpers who might come in to help clean regularly.

Start with calls to Senior Services in the nearest community, then check with your utility company about the hot water heater, etc. They might be able to help or send you in the direction for some aid.

Good luck!

But DH, you said to get the tub removed, not to clean it: "get this entire tub removed. money should be least of your concerns right now".

Cleaning is what Cecil is asking advice about. Answering a cleaning question with a remodeling question isn't much of an answer.

Olychick, that's a good idea. Some areas have pretty good services to help out low income seniors.