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Dirt and soap scum buildup may leave dark stains in your tub that take a bit more elbow grease than regular cleaning. The cleaning method depends on what your bathtub is made from, and we’ll help you get stains out quickly no matter if your tub is acrylic, fiberglass, enamel, porcelain, or stone resin. Keep reading to find the best tub cleaners for the most stubborn stains so you can make your bath sparkle like new when you’re finished.
Things You Should Know
- Scrub stains on acrylic and fiberglass tubs with vinegar and water solution. Apply a paste of baking soda and vinegar to stubborn stains for 15 minutes.
- Try using vinegar and water or a paste made from baking soda and dish soap on enamel tubs. Switch to bleach-free cleaners for heavy staining.
- Scour stains on a porcelain tub with a wet pumice stone . Use an abrasive tub cleaner for persistent marks.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWe have a very old tub in a rental. How do I determine if the bathtub is porcelain or enamel?Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.A magnet will stick to enamel, but will not stick to porcelain or acrylic. Acrylic looks similar to plastic. If you do the magnet test and the magnet clings to the side, your tub is made of enameled metal.
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QuestionIs there a way to remove essential oil stains from an acrylic bathtub?Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.Depending on how badly the tub is stained, oil stains can be difficult. First, cover the stained area with a coat of baking soda. Then, mix up your cleaning solution in a spray bottle: 1 cup vinegar, 1 tablespoon of dish soap, and 3 cups of water. Spray this mixture over the baking soda. Use a soft sponge to scrub the stained areas. You may need to repeat this process a couple times. If you have stubborn stains, you can let the solution and baking soda sit for 15-20 minutes prior to scrubbing it away.
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QuestionCan you clean the tub with vinegar?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerYes, this should be fine. For general cleaning, make a cleaning solution of half vinegar and half water (preferably warm but not essential) and place in a spray bottle; use to clean the whole bath, wiping after spraying. For specific stains on an acrylic bath, use distilled white vinegar sprayed onto the stained area, then wipe off with water.
Video
Tips
- Leave the door to the bathroom open, crack a window, and turn on a vent fan while you work to allow fresh air to circulate and prevent cleaner fumes from building up.Thanks
- Make it a point to clean your bathtub about once a week so it doesn’t develop stains or buildup.Thanks
- Ordinary shampoos may also be useful for treating light stains because they’re designed to cut through dirt and oil.Thanks
Warnings
- Test stain removal measures on small, inconspicuous areas of your tub before getting down and dirty so you don't risk damaging the finish.Thanks
- Avoid mixing different chemical cleaners, like ammonia and bleach or vinegar and bleach. When combined, these can produce caustic fumes that may be harmful if they are inhaled or come into contact with your skin. [13] X Research sourceThanks
References
- ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/tub-and-shower-magic-434275
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Hh6nuhPxNRg?t=181
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Hh6nuhPxNRg?t=72
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/cleaning-bathtub/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/cleaning-bathtub/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/ZpJ5JkLmgho?t=119
- ↑ https://cleanzen.com/blog/how-to-remove-rust-from-bathtub/
- ↑ https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/contaminants/bleach-mixing-dangers
- ↑ https://youtu.be/ZvBi05LtEmY?t=57
About This Article
If you’re trying to get tough stains out of an acrylic tub, opt for gentle, natural solutions, like distilled white vinegar or lemon juice. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar or lemon juice and spray it directly on the stains. Wait for 10 to 20 minutes, then wipe the area with a soft sponge to remove the grime. If you need a little extra scrubbing power, sprinkle on a little baking soda before wiping the area down. You can also use a melamine sponge to lightly scrub the area, but be gentle so you don’t scratch up your tub. Avoid using harsh cleaners that contain abrasives, like Comet, Borax, or Ajax, since they could damage the acrylic. When you’re done, rinse the tub with clean water for a few minutes to wash away any remaining dirt and grime. If your bathtub is enamel, you’ll also have to be careful of using anything too harsh or abrasive. Start with gentle cleansers, like vinegar. If that doesn’t do the trick, work your way up to tougher solutions, such as bleach-free commercial bathroom cleaners. Just check the label to make sure the product is safe to use on enamel tubs. You can also make your own cleaner by mixing warm water, baking soda, castile soap, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil in a spray bottle. Whichever cleaning solution you choose, spray it on the affected area and leave it for several minutes so it has a chance break down the stain. Use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth to gently buff the area using small, circular motions. Repeat the soak and scrub process several times if you need to. When you’re done, rinse the grime away with clean water. Porcelain bathtubs are a bit tougher, so you can safely use abrasive cleaners on this type of tub. Try a commercial cleaning powder, or make your own abrasive paste out of hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar. Apply the powder or paste directly to the stain. If you’re using a powder, dampen it with a little water to create a paste. Scour the stain away with a sturdy scrubber, like a stiff-bristle brush or a pumice stone. Rinse the area with clean water and let it air dry when you’re done. To learn the best kind of commercial cleaners to use for your bathtub, scroll down!
Reader Success Stories
- "Used a number of products which only partly removed brown stain on acrylic bath. The DE powder mixed to a paste worked for me." ..." more
