How to Clean a Stained Bathtub

A stained bathtub is always an embarrassing feature in your home. It is not always easy to remove those tough stains from your bathtub, and you can end up spending a fortune on cleaners that claim to be able to make your tub as good as new. Before losing money on products that may not work, try some home-grown, stain-removing recipes first.

Things You'll Need

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Powder cleanser
• Bleach

Instructions

1. Remove old dirt and grime by applying a 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 2 parts baking soda mixture to your bathtub. Let it sit for 30 to 40 minutes, scrub the tub with a non-abrasive sponge or cloth and rinse thoroughly.

2. Pour 3 or 4 cups of vinegar into a tub full of hot water and let it soak for several hours. Use just enough water to cover the stains. Drain your tub and scrub the stains away.

3. Mix a powdered cleanser with small amounts of water until you have created a paste. Use an old washcloth and evenly apply the paste across the stains. Allow the paste to sit for 15 to 20 minutes, and then scrub the stained areas with a moistened cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly.

4. Combine bleach and water, in equal parts, in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the grout around the tub, the faucets and the tiles. Allow the mixture to sit on the grout for 15 to 20 minutes, and then scrub the grout with a scrub brush. Rinse the area thoroughly after scrubbing.

Tips & Warnings

• Once the stains have been scrubbed out of your bathtub, the best way to preserve your bathtub is with weekly cleanings.

• If your bathtub is stained beyond repair, you can opt to re-glaze your bathtub instead of buying a new tub.

• Abrasive scouring pads or sponges and harsh cleaning agents can permanently damage the surface glaze of your bathtub.