When you want to get clean or feel relaxed, doing so in a dirty tub can feel a little counterproductive. Bathtubs are the preferred hangout for dirt, grime, and bacteria. And if you’re not careful, mold and mildew may join the party, too. To make matters worse, if you don’t know how to clean a bathtub properly, these offenders will keep returning to the scene of the crime.
The best way to clean a bathtub is by using the right products and the right process. We’ll walk you through the right way to clean your bathtub and even share some tips to help you keep it that way.
Preparing Your Tub for Cleaning
Before you dig in and get down to cleaning your tub, take a minute to clear your workspace and remove everything from the tub. Not only will this make your task infinitely easier, but it will also give you access to the often-neglected nooks, crannies, and far reaches of your tub. Be sure to remove all toiletries, soaps, and other bath accessories. It’s also not a bad idea to clear out unused items, toss out broken or empty containers, and wipe down the remaining bottles.
A safety note: When using commercial cleaners in an enclosed space, be sure to keep the windows and doors open for proper ventilation. Remember to never mix store-bought cleaning products (especially those containing bleach) with vinegar. Doing so can create chlorine gas which can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation. High levels of exposure to chlorine gas can be toxic and even lead to death.
Pre-Rinse the Tub
Next, rinse the tub and wall tiles with warm water to get rid of any loose dirt, debris, and hair. If you have a detachable shower head, rinse off the top layer of grit and add a layer of water to help the cleaning solution take hold in the next step. In other cases, wipe down the walls and the tub with a wet rag or sponge.
Clean the Surrounding Walls
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You’ll want to work from top to bottom when cleaning your tub. That means you should start with the wall tile and then work your way down to the tub itself.
To clean the tile, begin by spraying it with your tub and tile cleaner and then follow up with a non-abrasive sponge. Then, you can use your grout brush or toothbrush to tackle the grout lines. Once the walls are clean, you can wipe them down with a wet rag, or if you have a shower head with a hose, you can use that to rinse the walls.
Take this moment to also address either the shower door or curtain. Cleaning a glass shower door is similar to cleaning other glass in your home, but be sure to never mix potentially harmful chemicals when working with other tub cleaners. Keep it simple by working with diluted lemon juice in water or white vinegar and baking soda. If you don't have a solid door, clean your shower curtain by popping it in the laundry and washing the vinyl liner with a spray bottle and vinegar solution.
Clean the Drain
If you find that your tub is draining slowly, now is a good time to clean it out and get things moving again. To do this, pour one cup of baking soda followed by one cup of white vinegar down the drain (there will be some bubbling, but that’s normal) and let it sit for 15 minutes. When time is up, flush the drain with hot water.
Focus on the Fixtures
Vinegar and water will also come in handy when it comes to cleaning your tub faucet and knobs. Combine one part white distilled vinegar and three parts warm water and dish soap. You can also work with a commercial cleaner specific to the type of metal on your fixtures. In either case, let the solution sit for several minutes, especially where grime builds up around the seam between the tiles and the metal.
This is also a good opportunity to clean bathtub jets if necessary. Keep in mind that you will need to fill the tub for the job, so it's best to check this off your list before moving onto the scrubbing stage.
Scrub the Tub
Once you’ve tackled the tile and the drain, you can move on to the tub. First, liberally spray the tub and tile cleaner around the tub and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. This step gives the cleaner some time to do the heavy-lifting for you. Once the time is up, use a soft, non-abrasive sponge to scrub the surface of the tub. Non-abrasive sponges are crucial to avoid scratching the surface, especially when cleaning an acrylic tub.
Tackle Stubborn Stains
You can probably clean every room in your home with baking soda and vinegar, and the bathroom is no exception. If stains remain after you’ve scrubbed the tub, mix enough baking soda and vinegar to form a paste and hit the tough spots again. Once you’ve applied paste where it’s needed, let it sit for about 15 minutes. When the time is up, rinse the paste off straight away. If the stain was especially stubborn, you might consider giving it a once-over with a non-abrasive sponge or a toothbrush.
Rinse and Wipe Down
Photo: Budimir Jevtic / Adobe Stock
When you’re all done, give the tub a final, thorough rinse. Don’t forget to wipe down the faucet and handles. Turn on the fan or open the windows to ensure that the tub and surfaces dry quickly. If you don't have good ventilation in your bathroom, dry it off with a clean lint-free towel.
Tips for Keeping Your Bathtub Clean
As one of the busiest rooms in your home, keeping your bathroom clean is a challenge all around. That being said, you can avoid the dreaded bathtub scrub by keeping the area fresh between cleans. Here are a few tips for keeping your bathtub clean:
Keep a vinegar, water, and soap solution handy to discourage the buildup of mold and mildew in your bathroom. Spritz the solution after each bathtub use before the water dries.
Always remove hair from your trap after each shower and bath.
Rinse your shower and tub with a quick layer of water after each use, especially if you spot a film of soap.
Keep a lint-free cloth handy to wipe down dust and hair from your tub surfaces and around your shampoo bottles.
Cut down on the frequent use of bath bombs and bubble baths.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Clean Your Bathtub
Overall, it's best to give your bathroom a good cleaning at least once a week. Your bathtub gets used at least once a day, so the grime can build up rather quickly when left to grow. Doing it yourself is not necessarily expensive or time-consuming, but it can be hard on the back and requires a lot of elbow grease.
For some people, cleaning the bathtub is the last thing they need on their weekly to-do list. In this case, you may want to consider the cost of hiring a house cleaner. While cleaners generally charge between $30 and $50 an hour, you'll likely set up services to have the whole house cleaned. A home with one bathroom will typically cost between $85 and $220.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s best to steer clear of abrasive sponges and commercial cleaning products when cleaning your bathtub. These cleaning materials can scratch the surface of your tub, especially those made from acrylic and fiberglass.
Professionals will use a range of bathtub cleaners, often depending on preference and the type of tub surface. However, there are many store-bought cleaners that consistently cut through tough grime and are still safe on a range of tub surfaces. Many of these will contain bleach or gentler disinfecting ingredients to ensure a deep clean.
You can always use a homemade vinegar solution as a natural alternative to commercial cleaning products. To make and use a vinegar cleaning solution, fill a spray bottle with equal parts white distilled vinegar and warm water. Spray the solution liberally across the tub surface. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping it down with a non-abrasive sponge or cleaning cloth, then rinse with clean water. If a line of soap scum is still visible, spray it with the vinegar solution. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently scrub the residue away before wiping it down and rinsing again.
Cleaning your bathtub once per week should be plenty. Keeping up a weekly cleaning schedule will prevent mold or mildew issues, and any cleaning you do will be less labor-intensive. If you can’t find the time to clean your bathtub, you could consider hiring a local residential cleaning service.
