How to Use scum in a Sentence

scum

noun
  • Boil the chicken and use a spoon to remove any scum that floats to the surface.
  • Soap scum clouds the shower glass.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Nothing about soap scum feels clean.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2026
  • Use a wet sponge to scrub stains and soap scum, then rinse with water.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
  • Press the dryer sheet against the glass and scrub away soap scum and spots.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Nov. 2025
  • Use a soft sponge and hot water to scrub and wipe away soap scum and dirt.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2026
  • If any scum rises to the top, skim off and discard.
    — Anita Jaisinghani, Houston Chronicle, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Skim the scum from the surface of the liquid with a spoon.
    — Malaka Gharib, NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Scrub stains, soap scum, and hard water spots with a damp sponge or soft brush.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Scrub stains, soap scum, and hard water spots with a damp sponge or soft brush.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Then, use a Swiffer with a damp cloth to scrape off the scum.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026
  • This reduces residue time to mix with hard water and form scum.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Remove all the old caulk and clean soap scum and mildew from surfaces.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 May 2026
  • Apply lemon to to faucets and shower doors to get rid of soap scum.
    — Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026
  • This will get rid of soap scum, limescale, calcium, and rust.
    — Chris Hachey, BGR, 8 June 2021
  • Scrubbing soap scum from tiles and tubs can feel like a full-body workout.
    — Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 4 Aug. 2023
  • Rub the paste over the soap scum, using a sponge or the lemon rind itself.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Vinegar cuts through tough grime like grease in the kitchen and soap scum in the bathroom.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
  • Small-scale tiles are hard to clean given the number of grout lines that trap scum.
    — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 4 Feb. 2026
  • For tougher soap scum, mix equal parts vinegar and dish soap in a microwave-safe bowl.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Repeat over all sections until the soap scum is gone.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Repeat over all sections until the soap scum is gone.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 May 2026
  • Sometimes the algae look like grains of floating green sand or scum.
    — Christine Hauser, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2019
  • Use a commercial soap scum remover once a month for buildup.
    — Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Bits of litter floated atop scum on a pond where people used to kayak and fish.
    — New York Times, 28 May 2022
  • For these areas, use vinegar and dish soap to remove soap scum.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025
  • For these areas, use vinegar and dish soap to remove soap scum.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 May 2026
  • Usually, slow bathroom drains are caused by a buildup of hair and soap scum.
    — New York Times, 5 Dec. 2020
  • Gently rub the stone over the stains, rinsing often as the soap scum builds up.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Next, scrub any problem areas to lift stubborn soap scum and grime.
    — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 1 May 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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