How to Clean a Bathtub? | An Easy, Hassle-Free Guide!

Nothing feels good like having a long soak in a hot bath at the close of business. But an exception to this will occur when your bathtub is not in good condition.

Normally, all kinds of bathtubs attract soap scum, grime, mildew, and most stubborn stains that are generated from rust or hard water.

Most homeowners depend on store-bought cleaners dedicated to bathtubs. Some of the most widely used cleaners are OxiClean, Scrubbing, Clorox Oximagic, and Clorox Clean-up (as a stain remover). But you need to be careful when you use these cleaners as they contain toxic chemicals.

If you are also interested in the DIY process, you are in the right place. Here will show you the best way of cleaning your bathtub using common household items.

How to Clean a Bathtub: DIY Tutorial

Use the natural white vinegar that you can also use to clean acrylic tubs to carry out the following steps.

• Fill up your spray bottle half with warm water and vinegar to form a vinegar solution
• Spray the solution on the surface of your tub and allow for 20 minutes
• Now wipe off the sponge or the microfiber cloth
• Ensure it’s rinsed properly with wipe and water

Remove mild stains

For mild stains or heavier dirt, you need to –

• Sprinkle the surface of your tub using a baking soda and spray the solution of water and vinegar, as discussed above
• Allow the mixture for some time to bubble up –afterwards, scrub it using a soft fabric to get a paste from the mixture
• Allow the pest to settle for about 20 minutes; then, you can rinse and wipe off properly

Remove tough stains

If the stain at hand is demanding, adhere to the following steps:

• Make a cleaner paste for your bathtub. This time, one part has to be hydrogen peroxide while the other a tartar cream or baking soda
• Apply the paste directly on the stained surface and allow it for about 40 minutes
• You can repeat this process until the stains are finally off the surface

Remove hard water stains

Most times, mineral stains created by mineral deposits can be stubborn, but once you do the right thing, then you stand the chance of getting the right results in no time.

Mineral deposits look like they might never come off, but in reality, they are relatively easy to remove. You need to –

• Insert a paper towel into white vinegar
• Place the paper towel that was soaked directly to the affected area
• Allow it for two to three hours
• It would be better if you’ve scrubbed out the vinegar paste and the baking soda.
• After that, rinse the surface properly

Remove rust stains

You can use lemon juice and borax power paste to treat stains caused by rust. This might not be necessary for inflatable hot tubs. Here is how to go about this:

• Sprinkle the borax on the rust stain
• Use a half sliced lemon and apply it on the surface to create a paste
• Allow the mixture for about 20 to 30 minutes
• Afterward, you need to rinse and wipe it

Seal up the grout

It would help if you sealed your grout twice in every year. This helps it from generating moisture unnecessarily.

• You can use a sealer. The sealers help coat up the grout, and at the same time, give room to liberate moisture
• Remove all forms of blocks on your grout. You need direct access to it when applying the sealer
• Wipe off the grout. If there is a color change, then the use of bleach is recommended
• Open the windows and door to have a well-ventilated room. This is needed to have enough air going in and out of the room
• Use sealer with a sponge or applicator brush. Add sealer to the applicator brush and drive directly in each grout. To keep track of this, you need to do it in a small portion
• Allow it to rest for about 20 minutes and then clean off all excesses that appear on the surface.
• Remove all the sealers that appear excessively on the grout and tile. While doing this, they will sealer absorbs moisture

Bathtub Cleaning Tips

• Avoid the use of steel wool or brushes that are extremely strong. Since they can lead to scratch in the long run
• Avoid mixing products that are meant for cleaning. Some chemical combinations can lead to skin burn or the formation of unpleasant fumes, like the mixture of ammonia and chlorine bleach
• If you are using chemicals, ensure the entire surrounding is ventilated. Also, it would be best if you used gloves made from rubber to protect your skin
• The use of bleach and hydrogen peroxide can discolor fabric materials, so it’s important to do this with old clothes if you intend to use chemical products
• Rinse and wipe all the products using for cleaning and ensure there are no residues in any of the tubs

Summing It Up

No matter how you consider your tub as a necessity or a luxury, maintaining it entails continuous efforts and demands discipline and diligence. After each bath, we recommend rinsing the surface of your tub using warm water, and ensure all forms of excess water are wiped off using a microfiber cloth, squeegee, or a sponge. Doing this helps control soap scum, grime, and mildew.