How to Clean a Bathtub? 5 Brilliant Bathtub Cleaning Hacks
Humidity and temperature are much higher in the bathroom than the rest of home interiors. Such conditions are perfect for bacteria and mold. Places like bathtubs are particularly prone to their growth. Because skin particles make great food for them, cleaning the bathtub regularly and thoroughly is highly important. How to clean a tub to make sure you've removed all harmful elements? How to get rid of yellow stains that often appear in bathtubs? Learn the most effective methods.
How often do you clean the bathtub?
Cleaning the bathtub should be a routine after every use. Regardless whether you live on your own or with several people, that place should be cleaned every time after a person takes a bath. This way, you not only remove dirt, but also dead skin cells that settle on the surface during a wash. Leaving a dirty bathtub after a bath creates perfect conditions for harmful bacteria and fungi.
Too many responsibilities and a lack of time often prevent daily thorough bathtub cleaning. Limiting this task to daily rinsing and deep cleaning once per week is an acceptable solution, but make sure to follow it precisely. Without regularity, the surface might get seriously dirty and make you ask another question: how to clean a disgusting bathtub? And that is a much more difficult task.
Cleaning the bathtub – what to keep in mind?
As the first step of cleaning a bathtub, you have to determine the material it has been made of. The most popular models are made of steel with a coating from the following materials:
- enamel,
- acrylic.
Both mentioned tubs look similar, but each type might require a different cleaning method. An enamel bathtub has a mechanically resistant surface, but using strong caustic chemicals and a sharp sponge might damage it.
Paying attention to the product used for cleaning the surface is another important step. The issue is crucial for two major reasons:
- a correct bathtub cleaner removes difficult stains without damaging the surface,
- the product has to be safe for those who are going to use the tub.
Cleaning an acrylic bathtub is one of the easiest tasks. Just like other tubs, this type also collects soap stains, dirt, and scale. When cleaning an acrylic bathtub, make sure to use soft cloths and delicate products. You can also use a homemade natural bathtub cleaner which will remove all dirt effectively. Avoid sharp sponges and abrasive cleaning products when cleaning a tub of this type. How to safely clean an enamel bathtub? In this case, also avoid sharp sponges and bathtub cleaners with abrasive particles.
Are homemade bathtub cleaners better than store-bought ones?
Cleaning an acrylic or enamel bathtub using homemade methods is equally effective as when using store-bought products. Additionally, most ingredients required for preparing a homemade bathtub cleaner can be found in any household, and they are safe to humans.
How to clean yellow bathtub stains?
The yellow residue you see in your tub is simply dirt caused by hard water. It contains a lot of calcium, which gradually settles in the tub’s surface and forms characteristic stains. They can be removed using cleaners designed for bathtubs of a particular type. Such products shouldn’t be too strong, as it might cause damage to the tub’s surface.
In addition to traditional bathtub cleaners, you can also use certain home remedies. They are equally effective against this type of stains, but also have many other uses like curtains whitening and oven cleaning. You can use products such as:
- soda,
- vinegar,
- Coca-Cola,
- white wine.
Cleaning the bathtub with baking soda
Cleaning the bathtub with baking soda is one of the most effective dirt removal methods – just like when cleaning a microwave oven. Baking soda easily removes:
- limescale,
- yellow stains.
The bathtub cleaner is very easy to make. Just mix soda with water in a 3:1 proportion – so, add three tablespoons of baking soda to one tablespoon of water. Combine the ingredients, put the mixture on a soft sponge, and clean the dirty surface thoroughly. As the last step, rinse the cleaned surface with water. This way, you can remove most types of stains with little effort and money.
Cleaning the bathtub with vinegar
How to clean a disgusting bathtub? There’s no better remedy than vinegar – it can remove even the most difficult bathtub stains that won’t come out. It’s as effective as when cleaning the washing machine with it. It also removes heavily-accumulated scale deposits.
Begin cleaning the bathtub with vinegar by filling it with water. Then add vinegar to the water and spread it thoroughly by stirring. Leave the mixture for at least 1-2 hours. Then use a sponge to wipe any surfaces with remaining stains. Let the water out of the tub and rinse it with clean water.
Cleaning the bathtub with Coca-Cola
If the bathtub stains won’t come out, you can try the unexpected remedy. Coca-Cola is not just a tasty beverage for every occasion. As it turns out, it can also be used for cleaning a very dirty bathtub and spots with a lot of accumulated limescale. How to clean the bathtub using Coca-Cola? Follow these steps:
- first, prepare the tub and plug the drain,
- pour a bottle of Coca-Cola into the bathtub,
- leave it for about an hour,
- using a sponge, wipe the spot in which a lot of scale has accumulated, and unplug the tub,
- rinse everything thoroughly.
How to clean the bathtub with lemon juice?
Yellow stains are a common problem appearing in bathtubs. What is the best cleaner for such bathtub discoloration? Try using a lemon, in particular, juice squeezed out of it. Lemon has whitening properties – therefore, it’s a perfect cleaner against yellow stains in a bathtub. Just juice a lemon and pour the liquid into a spray bottle for easier application. Spray the lemon juice on the stain and leave it for about an hour. Then wash the surface using a soft, damp sponge.
White wine – cleaning the bathtub from scale
Limescale is the most common issue of every bathtub and other bathroom elements. White wine is a great natural bathtub cleaner that can remove the bothersome residue. For the easiest application, pour the wine into a bottle with a spray nozzle. Just spray the scale stains thoroughly and leave them for at least 40 minutes. Rinse everything afterwards and dry the surface using a soft cloth or a sponge.
📍 How to clean a cast iron bathtub?
Cleaning a bathtub made of cast iron is not a challenge if you use the right products. You can use a bathtub cream cleaner or gel. Avoid powder cleaners. Also, don't use a sharp sponge, as it can easily damage the tub.
📍 How to clean an acrylic bathtub?
Cleaning an acrylic tub requires products that contain no ammonia, alcohol, or acetone. If you want to keep a perfectly clean bathtub, just use this simple hack every time after using it. Wipe the surface with a cloth soaked in liquid hand soap or dish soap.
📍 What is the best enamel bathtub cleaner?
Correct cleaning of an enamel bathtub guarantees its perfect shape for many years. In this case, you can use lukewarm water with an a bit of a delicate cleaning product. Avoid abrasive cleaners that might scratch the surface. Sharp sponges are not recommended, either.
📍 Is it safe to clean a bathtub?
Cleaning a bathtub is safe as long as you use products designed for this purpose – either homemade "DIY" cleaners, or store-bought chemicals. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions that usually recommend rinsing the tub thoroughly after cleaning. One shouldn't use a tub in which a chemical cleaning product has been applied and not rinsed.
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