About Bathtub Cleaning Supplies

Arguably the least pleasant chore in the home is cleaning the bathroom. While cleaning the toilet may claim the "Yuck Factor" prize, it is bending over the bathtub that earns the backache award. Regardless of television advertisements that make it appear you can just spray on a bathtub cleaner, wipe it off and the job is done, there is still a certain amount of old-fashioned elbow grease involved in keeping the tub clean.

Function

Oily dirt that clings to the surface of your bathtub is difficult to remove with water alone because water and oil don't mix. That's where soaps and detergents come in. Soaps work because they are emulsifiers--that is, they permit oil and water to mix so that the dirt embedded in the oil can be rinsed away with the water. Detergents, which may be produced from petro-chemicals or oleo-chemicals, are surfactants, that is, they decrease the water's surface tension making it easier for the water to mix with oil.

Features

Modern science has contributed greatly to the technology behind bathtub cleaning supplies. Today manufacturers may add protein-eating enzymes to help break up organic stains. Bleach may also be added to the mix as a stain remover and to boost the cleaning power of the other ingredients. Bluing is another additive that can help prevent yellowing from occurring. One of the most popular current additives is oxidizers, chemicals that provide energy for the chemical reactions that produce the cleaning effect of the soap or detergent.

Time Frame

When it comes to cleaning the bathtub, time is your ally. Many commercially produced tub cleaners come in aerosol or pump spray bottles. It is important to follow the instructions printed on the labels of these products in order to produce the desired results. Most will instruct you to apply the cleanser liberally to the entire surface of the tub and then wait for a prescribed period of time to allow the cleanser to work. Once the allotted time is over, rinsing is required to remove both the dirt and residue of the cleanser.

Considerations

Homemade bathtub cleansers can be made by mixing any degreasing liquid dish detergent with equal amounts of water into a spray bottle. The solution can then be easily sprayed onto the bathtub. If allowed to work for 10 minutes prior to rinsing, this solution will clean most common bathtub residue. Occasionally a tougher bathtub ring will form at the surface level of the bath water, which may require the use of a mild abrasive cleanser. These come commercially in the form of spray, paste or powder under such brand names as Comet, Bon Ami, Soft Scrub and others.

Green Alternative

With the growing emphasis on green living, many commercial bathroom cleaning product manufacturers are producing environmentally conscious cleansers. But generations of homemakers have used the power of lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda for years as natural cleansers. Baking soda mixed with water to make a paste can substitute for abrasive cleansers and has the added advantage of absorbing odors. Dry baking soda may be applied directly to a stubborn stain and then saturated with vinegar. The resulting reaction will bubble the embedded dirt to the surface.

Resources

• Comparison shopping site for cleaning supplies