No one likes to take a bath in a dirty bathtub. Often exposed to moisture, bacteria and mold can gather on the walls of the bathtub, causing both ugly and unhygienic chaos. Working to keep your bathtub clean is the best way to prevent dirt and sticky substances from getting out of control, but sometimes you have to pull out a big gun to remove heavy, fixed stains. Fortunately, this can usually be done with some basic household products and a little elbow grease.
Method 1: Remove stains on acrylic bathtub
, avoid using abrasive chemical cleaners. When cleaning acrylic bathtub, stay away from irritating astringent powders such as comets and Ajax, as well as irritating chemicals such as bleach. Acrylic is a soft material, so it is easy to damage. These types of products are almost guaranteed to destroy the finish of your bathtub.
- Usually, it's best to start with the gentlest cleaning solution you can use, and if this doesn't work, you can step by step choose the more powerful option.
. Spray the stains with vinegar. Distilled white vinegar is an excellent natural cleaning solution, especially on smooth surfaces such as acrylic that are easy to remove stains. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and keep it handy for daily bathroom cleaning. Apply a lot of vinegar to completely cover the affected area.
- If you happen to have some lemon juice in the refrigerator, it is a great alternative to vinegar.
. Let the vinegar stand for 10-20 minutes. When it stands, the acidity in the vinegar will break down mold, dirt and discolor for easy wipe. You may even see the stains start to dissolve and lose themselves before starting the scrubbing.
- Make sure to give the vinegar enough time to start working.
- For particularly troublesome places, sprinkle a little baking soda while soaking in vinegar.
. Wipe away the stain with a soft sponge. The yellow noodles of ordinary dishwashing sponge are fine. After soaking in vinegar, dirt and dirt should be easily removed. Use a quick back and forth scrub action and continue to process the stains until they disappear.
- You can also use a dedicated scrubbing tool such as Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, which is made of porous melamine foam to enhance anti-fouling.
. Flush the inside of the bathtub. Run the faucet for a few minutes and wash away the last trace of dissolved dirt and dirty vinegar solution. If you are cleaning a bathtub with an adjustable shower head, turn it on and direct the water flow to the area you just treated. After cleaning, the bathtub needs to be dry to avoid stained bacteria returning.
- Most bathtub stains are the result of film residues produced by bacteria as they accumulate.
- Pull the shower curtain and turn on the ceiling fan to get a stable airflow in the bathtub.
Method 2: Remove stains on the enamel bathtub
. Try to clean with vinegar first. Although it is a gentle natural cleaner, vinegar is usually enough to handle most stains when used in large quantities and leaving time to set up. Spray the tub thoroughly and let the vinegar sit for a few minutes, then wipe the stain off with a sponge or a hard bristle brush. If you find that the vinegar is not doing the desired effect, you can continue to use a more intensive approach.
- When simply adding more and more vinegar is not enough, there will be a little bit.
. Use commercial cleaning spray without bleach. Lysol Multipurpose Cleaner, Kaboom, Shout and more and Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Cleaner can remove stubborn stains well without damaging the delicate surface. Since most of these products contain similar ingredient combinations, either of them can be as effective as the other one. Just make sure that any product you choose does not contain bleach as this can severely undermine the outer enamel layer of the tub.
- only purchases cleaners approved for use on enamel bathroom surfaces.Be sure to double-check the label before purchasing a specific cleaning product so you will know you get what you need.
- If possible, please open nearby windows, open doors, turn on the fan to ventilate the bathroom, and use these products for cleaning.
. Make your own natural detergent. If you are reluctant to go shopping, you can prepare a simple versatile bathroom cleaner at home, mixing warm water, baking soda, Castilla soap and essential oils in a spray bottle. All of these ingredients are easy to obtain and safe to use, but very effective when combined. Once they are mixed together, spray the mixture onto the stained surface and make it take effect within a few minutes before rubbing it off.
- If you have problems looking for Castilla soap, hydrogen peroxide will be an acceptable alternative.
- Essential oils such as tea tree and mint can also be used as natural disinfectants.
. Soak the problem area for a few minutes. atomization solution and give it a chance to sit down. Pay special attention to areas where dyeing and discoloration are severe. The cleaning solution should dissolve these stains immediately. The longer the solution is left, the more effective it is in improving the residues that have been precipitated for a long time.
. Gently wipe away the stains. Use a soft sponge or microfiber towel to avoid leaving traces or scratches. Check for stains with gentle circular motions. Once done, rinse off any remaining dirt and cleaning fluid to allow the bathtub to completely dry.
- If necessary, spray the cleaning solution again. Wipe and repeat until the stain falls off the enamel finish.
- Use something rougher than a sponge to scrub the enamel that may wear down the finish.
Method 3: Remove stains on porcelain bathtub , pick up a can of grinding cleaning powder. For thick buildup of porcelain surfaces, you need to use something more durable. Use powdered products like Comet or Ajax. Small particles can penetrate deeper into stains on the bathtub surface to remove them.
- Powdered cleaner contains chemicals called surfactants and has mild grinding properties. This allows them to more effectively resolve hardened, adhered residues.
- Use a small amount of abrasive cleaner. For most jobs, a jar is enough for a thorough cleaning.
. Stick to use natural substitutes. Alternatively, stubborn stains such as rust and hard water residues can be treated with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and tartar. Mix the two ingredients together until they have roughly the same consistency as the cake frosting and apply them directly to the stain. After 10 minutes, wipe the stains with a nylon brush or pumice stone until they are completely wiped off.
- Homemade mixtures such as hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar will be the first choice for those who are concerned about the health and environmental impact of chemical cleaning products.
- Hydrogen peroxide also helps treat age-related discoloration and reduces the bathtub’s finish.
. Sprinkle cleaning powder around the dyed bathtub. Moderate dust removal should be enough to handle most of the mess. The powder itself does not stick to the surface of the porcelain, but when mixed with the liquid it forms a paste that can be applied directly to the stain.
- Be sure to cover the bottom of the bathtub, the accumulated mold may become a risk factor for slipping and falling.
. Add enough water to make a paste. Spray pure water or ordinary tap water on the cleaning powder. As moisture increases, the powder will exhibit a thick foam consistency. Rub this paste on the stain and it will take effect after about half an hour.
- You can also wet a clean sponge or towel and rub it in the detergent until it thickens.
- Another option is to wet the tub before using the detergent. Spray the bathtub with the shower head or fill the cup with water and pour it inside the bathtub.
- Be careful not to add too much water. If it is too thin, the cleaner won't be that effective.
. Scrub the stains with a solid scrubber. Because porcelain has a hard and durable surface, you can scrub it safely with abrasive tools without worrying about scratching it. For best results, come with a pumice or a hard bristle brush. Treat the stains until they are completely wiped off, then rinse the tub with clean water and let it dry before using it again.
- If you don't have a dedicated scrubbing brush, you can use the rough green side of the kitchen sponge.
- Do not use steel wool or any similar material to scrub the porcelain basin. Even if the porcelain is scratch-resistant, this is enough to cause permanent damage to the finish.