How to Clean a Stained Bathtub

Nothing beats a cold or hot shower in a bathtub, especially after having a long day. However, with time, slime accumulates on the surface causing discoloration of the tub’s surface. You may even detest using the tub since some of these substances may even pose a health-risk to members of your household. You may be wondering why they keep accumulating while you attempt to clean the tub every time you bathe.

Soap and water have always been the go-to items for this type of cleaning. Well, the remnants of soap, shampoo residuals, and oil from your body form the grime and scum that’s quite hard to remove. Luckily, there are commercial products, as well as homemade remedies to make cleaning your bathtub easier than you thought. But even with the right products, you may not be successful if you don’t do it right. Keep reading to learn the do’s and don’ts of cleaning your bathtub.

Types of bathtubs

● Acrylic – This is a material made from petroleum by-products. It’s resistant to cracking, staining, and discoloration. But, it’s prone to scratching.
● Fiberglass – Most budget-friendly bathtubs are made of this material. However, since it comprises several layers and a final resin coat spray, the surface, and coloring don’t always match. These tubs also fade pretty fast.
● Porcelain Enamel – This material is more durable than acrylic and fiberglass, but it’s also prone to chipping and rust. You also can’t clean it with bleach, for you’ll cause discoloration.

How to Clean your Bathtub

Based on this article from Spekless Cleaning, it’s important to understand the various types of products to clean your bathtub effectively.

You can either clean using commercial products or homemade products.

Commercial products – For starters, make sure you have protective gloves when using these products. There are many products available in the market today, so check-out for recommendations from professionals, or consult a trusted dealer.

Natural Methods – Did you know that you may have some useful DIY cleaning agents in your cabinet? Using this approach is safe, especially when you have young kids and pets. Some of the products you can use include baking soda. A mixture of two to three spoons of baking soda and water can remove even the toughest stains. Other items include grapefruit, salt, borax, lemon, essential oils, and castile soap. Vinegar can be added to most of these pastes to make them more useful. It’s also good at eliminating bad odors in your bathroom.

Do’s
● Before applying any cleaning agent, pre-rinse the tub using a moist cloth, or a detachable showerhead. This ensures that you remove some of the easy to clean dirt, before you get to the tough stains.
● Use a sponge, grout brush, or toothbrush to clean the surface of the tub, the drain, and faucet, respectively. These tools are softer, ensuring that your tub lasts long as you clean it regularly.
● After cleaning, rinse with a lot of water. This helps wash away all the residuals from the surface of the tub after scrubbing.
● Whichever product you choose, read the instructions carefully. Some of the commercial products have some strong smells. Therefore, make sure there’s enough air circulation as you clean. If the scent is too strong, you can get some fresh air, or even use a respiratory mask.
● Clean more often, at least once a week, to prevent the accumulation of scum. Also, simple actions like rinsing the tub after your bathe will significantly help to keep it clean.
● Invest in a shower spray. It may be expensive but spraying your tub now and then prevents the soap residuals, and grime to accumulate.

Don’ts

● Avoid abrasive tools and chemicals that could chip your bathtub, or cause discoloration.
● Do not mix any of the products. They all have different compositions. When combined, they could trigger reactions that are harmful to your health.
● Do not store books, towels, clothing, or cleaning products close to the bathtub. They retain a lot of the moisture, creating dampness within the bathroom. If your tub is chipped, this may lead to growth of mold in these cracks.

The Take-Away

By using the right materials and the proper techniques; you can get rid of the grime and scum in less than ten minutes.
Do not forget to rinse it after bathing, or use the shower spray, to make your job more comfortable when it’s time to clean. Always clean the faucets, drains, showerheads, and the ceiling to prevent the dirt from ever ending up on the tub. Also, avoid storing any materials that retain moisture close to the tub. These materials include books, newspapers, and towels.

For a worry-free experience, you can always hire a Professional Cleaning Service. One of the most recommended DC Cleaning Services is Spekless Cleaning.