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Remove water spots, mold, mildew, and rust from your acrylic bathtub
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Acrylic tubs can scratch easily, so to remove stains and clean your tub every week, use natural products like vinegar, baking soda and lemon. You can also buy gentle commercial cleaners designed for acrylic tubs. All you need to do is apply your cleaning product and scrub with a sponge or soft cloth, then rinse with hot water and polish with a dry cloth. Keep reading for all the best ways to clean your acrylic bathtub and shower.
Cleaning an Acrylic Tub
Baking soda or cream of tartar are great agents to clean an acrylic tub with. Rinse the tub with water and sprinkle the surface with baking soda. Fill a bucket with hot water and dish soap, then dip a sponge or cloth in the mixture and scrub the tub from top to bottom. Rinse with hot water and dry with a soft cloth.
Steps
Section 1 of 9:
Using Dish Soap & Baking Soda
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Rinse your tub with water and sprinkle the surface with baking soda. Baking soda can get rid of mildew, soap scum, and rust. Rinse your tub with hot water to get rid of any dirt, hair, or debris. Sprinkle the walls and bottom of the bathtub with baking soda, making sure to cover the drain, the faucet, and the handles. [1] X Research source
- Baking soda is a non-abrasive cleaner that can safely clean acrylic tubs.
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Fill a bucket with hot water and dish soap, then scrub the tub. Fill a bucket with hot water and a couple of drops of a gentle dish soap. Dip a cloth or sponge in the solution and scrub the surface of the tub. [2] X Research source
- If you notice any especially hard-to-get stains, sprinkle more baking soda directly on your sponge or cloth and scrub.
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Rinse the tub with hot water and polish with a dry cloth. Rinse the entire tub with hot water. If there are still stains left behind, repeat this process. Use a soft dry cloth to dry the surface of the tub, the handles, and the faucet. [3] X Research source
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Section 2 of 9:
Using Shampoo
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Wash the surface of the tub with a damp cloth and baby shampoo. Rinse any hair, dirt, or soap down the drain with warm water. Dip a damp cloth in baby shampoo and scrub the tub, making sure to wash the faucet, handles, and drain. [4] X Research source
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Rinse and dry the bathtub, and apply car wax if needed. Rinse the surface of the tub with warm water, making sure no residue is left behind. Use a clean dry rag to polish the surface of the tub. [7] X Research source
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Section 3 of 9:
Using Vinegar & Baking Soda
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Scrub the tub with baking soda to remove soap scum and mild stains. Remove any toiletries and rinse the tub with water to remove any hair or leftover soap deposits. Sprinkle baking soda all over the wet surface of the tub. Use a sponge or cloth to scrub the tub—the baking soda will form a paste, removing soap scum, mildew, and stains. [8] X Research source
- If you have large hard-to-clean stains, mix baking soda and water to create a paste, then use a sponge to apply it. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water. [9] X Research source
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Spray the tub with vinegar and scrub with a cloth or soft sponge. Mix 2 parts water with 1 part vinegar in a spray bottle, spray the surface of the tub, and scrub the walls. [10] X Research source You can also use a sponge dipped in the solution to scrub the walls. The vinegar will activate the baking soda to help remove any stains. [11] X Research source
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Rinse the bathtub and reapply baking soda if needed. Use a detachable shower head or fill a bowl with water to rinse down the walls of the bathtub until no baking soda or vinegar is left. Reapply baking soda to any leftover stains and scrub over them. Repeat until the entire tub is clean. [14] X Research source
- To remove soap scum from the shower head, unscrew it and soak it in the vinegar water solution or tie a bag filled with vinegar around the head and let it soak for 30 minutes. Scrub the head with a toothbrush. [15] X Research source
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Section 4 of 9:
Using Lemon & Baking Soda
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Wash the surface of the bathtub with lemon and baking soda. This works great if you’re looking to quickly scrub down your bathtub and treat soap scum stains. Wash any grime in the tub away with hot water. Cut a whole lemon in half and dip it in baking soda. Use the lemon to wash the tub, scrubbing any tough stains. [16] X Research source
- Alternatively, mix 1 part baking soda and 1 part dish soap, then add a few drops of lemon juice. Scoop the mixture with a wet sponge and clean the tub from top to bottom. [17] X Research source
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Rinse the tub with water and scrub any leftover stains with the lemon. Rinse the entire tub down with hot water to remove all the leftover grime and baking soda. If any stains remain, repeat this process until they’re gone. [18] X Research source
- To remove hard-water spots from your fixtures, rub a freshly cut lemon on them and buff with a clean cloth. [19] X Research source
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Section 5 of 9:
Using Vinegar
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Fill the tub with hot water and vinegar to remove mold and mildew. Fill the tub with hot water and pour in 2 cups (470 mL) of distilled white vinegar. Let it sit for about 20 minutes and then drain the tub. [20] X Research source
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Scrub the bathtub with a sponge and rinse. Use a sponge or cloth to scrub the tub from top to bottom. Wash away any leftover vinegar with hot water, then use a dry cloth to polish the surface. [23] X Research source
- Optionally, sprinkle baking soda over the tub and scrub with a bucket of warm water and dish soap to make sure no vinegar residue remains. [24] X Research source
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Section 6 of 9:
Using Hydrogen Peroxide & Baking Soda
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Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to clean tough stains. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are great for spot-treating mildew or mold spots. [25] X Research source Make a paste with 2 parts baking soda and 1 part hydrogen peroxide, then use a sponge or cloth to apply it to the stains on your tub. [26] X Research source
- Alternatively, make a paste with cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide.
- This paste also makes a great grout cleaner for showers. Just add 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of dish soap and use a grout brush or old toothbrush to scrub around the tiles. Rinse the area with water. [27] X Research source
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Leave the paste for at least 30 minutes, then scrub and rinse the tub. Use a clean sponge or cloth to wipe the baking soda off the tub and rinse the walls with clean water. If a stain is still there, repeat these steps until it’s gone. [28] X Research source
- After you’re done, wipe the tub down with a rag to make sure it’s dry.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I clean tough water stains from around the jets in my Acrylic whirlpool tub? I have tried using a vinegar and baking soda paste but the water stains remain under the jets.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.In addition to the vinegar and baking soda, try to use half of a lemon to fight the water stains. Apply the lemon directly to the stains, and then rinse and dry the area with a clean cloth.
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QuestionI have mold spots between the edge molding and the acrylic tub. I scrubbed them with vinegar and baking soda and a toothbrush, but some remain. What should I do?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.You can try other cleaning elements such as bleach, borax, or hydrogen peroxide. Refer to "How to Remove Bathroom Mold" for instructions on trying these alternate methods.
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QuestionMy acrylic tub is yellowing. How do I get it white again?Community AnswerHave you tried the vinegar and baking soda mentioned in the beginning? If that doesn't work, you could try using them together, but dilute the vinegar with water first in the tub, then add the baking soda. They will foam like crazy, but are very effective for yellow stains. Mixed in a bucket, they will take hard scum off of shower doors, too.
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Tips
- Try to avoid using a scrub brush, scouring pad, or any other abrasive scrubber that can scratch up your acrylic tub. [50] X Research sourceThanks
- Try to avoid using bleach, ammonia, or other abrasive cleaners that can damage your acrylic tub’s surface. [51] X Research sourceThanks
- Make sure your bathroom is well-ventilated by opening a window or running a fan while cleaning.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.homemadesimple.com/bathroom/how-to-clean-bathtub-7-easy-steps/
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- ↑ https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-to-clean-bathtub
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- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-get-your-old-bathtub-so-clean-it-looks-new-246745
- ↑ https://www.homemadesimple.com/bathroom/how-to-clean-bathtub-7-easy-steps/
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About This Article
Article Summary
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To clean an acrylic tub with natural products, start by filling the tub with hot water and vinegar. After 15 minutes, drain the tub and sprinkle it with baking soda while it’s still wet. Let the baking soda sit for a few minutes, then use a soft cloth or sponge to gently scrub the tub. When you’re done scrubbing, rinse the tub with water. If you notice any lingering stains, rub half a lemon on them until they lift and then rinse the area with water. To learn how to use commercial products on an acrylic tub without damaging the surface, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "The last few spray cleaners really did little to get some dirt/scum stains off. I do construction, so I bring a lot of grime home to my shower/tub. This simple old-fashioned method got it all! And I really did not scrub, just gently swirled a washcloth around with the baking soda and rinsed. " ..." more
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"The last few spray cleaners really did little to get some dirt/scum stains off. I do construction, so I bring a lot of grime home to my shower/tub. This simple old-fashioned method got it all! And I really did not scrub, just gently swirled a washcloth around with the baking soda and rinsed. "
..."
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"Was is hard work? Yes! But the vinegar and baking soda really did work on my hard water/soap scum buildup. My new acrylic tub and subway tile looks new again."
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"This gave me some good tips on how to clean my bath safely. Thank you."
