How to Clean a Porcelain Tub

By CatrinaR

Rate: (13 Ratings)

This is a simple process that will allow your porcelain tub to look like new, when ever you are ready to clean it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • 1 Roll of Paper Towel
  • 1 Bottle of Bleach
  • 1 Soft Damp Rag
  • 1 Rinsing Cup
  • 1 Pair of Rubber Gloves
Step1
A building supervisor who uses this method to prepare the apartments for the next resident offered this trick. A porcelain tub can maintain a dingy look over the many years of use. Not to mention the harsh look of the water stains, and the lime scale associated with hard water. As a homeowner, or a housekeeper you may have spent hours trying to return that tub to a beauty it once held, with no success. Simply put, it doesn’t have to be that difficult, and you don’t need any uncommon household cleaner to obtain the look you want.
Step2
Simply layer the tub with a roll of paper towel. Laying it out along the bottom and the sides would be the best idea, with a little overlap to ensure complete coverage. Then slowly pour the bleach straight from the bottle, on to the bottom layer of the paper towel. When you notice the bleach climbing the walls of the paper towel covered tub, pause to see where it ends, and make sure there is a vent or window open. Step out for a brief moment while it continues to climb, this will minimize your exposure to the bleach’s caustic effects. Once you determine if more is needed continue to pour the bleach on to the dry areas until every part of the tub is saturated with the towel and bleach combination.
Step3
Once you have covered the entire tub, close the bathroom door, and occupy your self in another part of the home. Wait at least an hour to let the bleach strip the porcelain of the stains; however, do not let it go longer than 3 hours, as at that time you will find the paint being stripped as well. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and pull the paper towel from the tub. As you do, the clean shiny tub will be revealed. Continue to pull the paper towel and dispose of it properly, until the tub is empty again. Get your cup and rinse the tub on all sides, thoroughly and wipe down with the cloth, to remove the remainder of the bleach.
Step4
When the process is complete, the dingy, ring around the tub, water stains, and dirt will be lifted to reveal a beautiful tub. The process takes minimal effort, on your part, and gives amazing results for the time and effort spent. Do not try this on non-porcelain tubs. Plastic tends to be difficult to remove the paper towels from, and the bleach will begin to eat through the plastic very quickly.

Tips & Warnings

  • Complete this task while in a well ventilated room.

Comments

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on 7/9/2008 Hmmm . . . we just had our porcelain tub re-finished. The directions for caring for the tub say to NEVER use any product with bleach on the tub!!

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eHow Article: How to Clean a Porcelain Tub

Article By: CatrinaR

CatrinaR

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Category: Home & Garden

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