All the dirt and grime you wash away from your body goes down to your bathtub. As such, the bathtub is going to need some cleaning itself. To do this, you clear out the tub, rinse it with water, apply a cleaner, scrub it, and finish with a thorough rinse.
I sat down with a true expert at cleaning bathrooms with decades of experience—my own grandmother. In this article, I’ll share some of my grandma’s wisdom, as well as some basic steps that will guarantee a clean tub.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
My grandma has never been one to clean on impulse. Instead, she picks a date and meticulously prepares.
The first part of her preparation is organizing the necessary tools for her cleaning project. She believes that having everything ready and in one place will make work easier and faster.
Here are the tools and materials you need:
- All-purpose cleaner or a specific bathtub cleaner
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Soft sponge or cloth
- Toothbrush (for tub spout and drain)
- Scrub brush (for tough stains)
- Rubber gloves
- Warm water
Step 2: Clear Out the Bathtub
After organizing all your materials, remove any toys, bath products, or other accessories inside or around the tub. This may also be a good time to reduce the clutter by getting rid of items you no longer need.
Clearing out your bathtub will give you space to work with. It’ll also let you see what you’re dealing with.
When my Nana clears out the bathtub, she doesn’t exempt the shower curtain and liner. She takes them down and goes to wash them.
Step 3: Rinse Out the Bathtub
Fill a bucket with warm water and first use it to rinse the tub. This will soften and loosen up any debris, grime, or soap scum stuck in the tub. You can then begin the cleaning process in earnest.
Step 4: Apply a Cleaner
Spray your preferred cleaning solution over the tub and let it soak. By “preferred cleaning solution,” we mean a cleaning agent suitable for your bathtub type.
You can opt for the usually expensive commercial cleaning options, or you could take this advice from my grandma. My grandma says that a vinegar-based solution works like a charm—every single time.
You can make one of these solutions from dish soap, distilled white vinegar, and water. Another option is to mix lemon juice and dish soap. For stubborn stains, you should sprinkle baking soda over the tub or affected areas first and then spray vinegar on top.
Step 5: Let it Soak
My Nana lets the cleaning agent sit for about 10 minutes or until it starts to bubble.
This waiting period allows the cleaning solution to break down grime, lime, and other stains effectively.
Step 6: Scrub
Once the time’s up, put on your gloves, grab a sponge or cloth, and start scrubbing away.
For better and even results, scrub the tub in a circular motion. Don’t be afraid to add a little more pressure or use a scrub brush where necessary.
| Quick Tip: One instance where a scrub brush might be necessary is when you encounter stubborn stains. |
If your bathtub is acrylic or fiberglass though, you should be as gentle as possible. Do some detailing by cleaning the tub’s crevices and shelves, along with faucets and other fixtures.
For a better look into how you can clean various bathroom fixtures, read our article, “How to Clean Bathroom Fixtures.”
Step 7: Clean Your Tub Spout and Drain Stopper
To get rid of grime from your drain stopper, you can soak the stopper in a mixture of white vinegar and water for about 20 minutes.
You can also place a bag containing the same mixture over your tub spout. Tie it with a rubber band and let it sit for about 20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can borrow some knowledge from my grandma and just use warm soapy water. Douse some on a toothbrush or cloth, and try to clean hard-to-reach areas around the tub spout and drain.
Step 8: Rinse the Tub
When you’re done scrubbing, rinse the tub again with warm water. This will get rid of the cleaning products and any loose dirt.
Remember: Always rinse the tub thoroughly and ensure you get rid of all the residue. Of course, that’s if you’d like to steer clear of dull spots later on.
Step 9: Dry and Return Items
Use a soft towel or a lint-free cloth to dry the bathtub, making sure you get all the corners and crevices.
Some people might find this step a bit strange. After all, why dry a bathtub when you’d be bathing and splashing water on it again in a few hours? The reason is simple. Drying your bathtub will prevent water spots and bacterial growth.
It’s equally important to dry the tub’s surrounding areas, including the faucet, drain, and walls.
The next thing is to return all the items you removed earlier to their designated storage spots. Just don’t forget to clean or at least wipe the items before re-arranging them.
Cleaning Specific Types of Bathtubs
Cleaning an Acrylic Bathtub
Acrylic bathtubs are softer and more flexible compared to other materials. They have a glossy appearance and are resistant to scratches and fading. Because of this, they require low maintenance and are relatively easier to clean.
For acrylic bathtubs, use gentle cleaners designed for that surface type.
| Warning: Stay away from abrasive or harsh cleaners or scrubbers like scouring powder or scouring pads. They’re highly likely to scratch the surface of the bathtub! |
You should never use bleach or ammonia-based cleaning agents for your acrylic bathtub.
With that said, you can instead clean your acrylic tub with:
- Dish soap
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Vinegar
- Borax
- Cream of tartar
- Commercial products designed for acrylic materials.
Cleaning a Fiberglass Bathtub
Fiberglass bathtubs are less durable than acrylic tubs and are prone to scratches. They also tend to discolor over time and are easily affected by harsh chemicals.
Fiberglass tubs can also crack easily. As such, you should be very gentle when cleaning them.
You should also avoid scrubbing powder, wire brushes, alkaline cleaners, bleach, or ammonia. These products can cause damage to your fiberglass tub.
Instead, we recommend using non-abrasive products like:
- Dish soap
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Castile soap
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Oil-based cleaners like tea tree oil or lemon oil
- Fiber-glass specific cleaners
Cleaning a Porcelain Bathtub
Porcelain bathtubs are more durable and scratch-resistant. However, they can chip on impact, and once they’re chipped, rust can easily set in.
In addition to being careful, you must avoid using abrasive products, citrus-based products, bleach, ammonia, scouring powder, white vinegar, or steel wool.
Instead, opt for:
- Porcelain-compliant cleaners
- Dish soap
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Homemade cleaning solution from dish soap and warm water.
Main Photo Credit: Thiago Santos / Adobe Stock Free / License
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