How to Remove Stains From a Cast Iron Tub

Cast iron tubs are practical and interesting accents for bathrooms, but not if they are marred by stains.

Cast iron bathtubs can be great antique pieces, but often people throw them away because they are stained or damaged. If your home contains a stained cast iron bathtub, then before you toss it and spend big bucks for a new tub, try a few simple ways to remove the stains that may work far more effectively than many harsh chemical cleansers. Of course, you should always test any stain removal process on a small portion of the cast iron tub -- particularly if it is coated in porcelain--before using it on the entire thing to avoid damaging the finish in an unexpected reaction.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring spoons
• Cream of tartar
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Bowl
• Cleaning rag
• Plastic scrubbing sponge
• Spray bathtub cleaner

Instructions

1. Wipe down the tub thoroughly using the cleaning rag and the spray cleaner. Remove all surface dirt and grime so that you can focus the rest of your efforts on the stains.

2. Make a paste in the bowl using the cream of tartar and the hydrogen peroxide. Start out with 3 tbsp. of cream of tartar and 3 tsp. of hydrogen peroxide. Add another tsp. of hydrogen peroxide at a time until you have a thick, spreadable paste.

3. Cover the stains with the paste. Make sure that you have completely coated the stains. Before you move on, let the paste dry completely.

4. Scrub off the paste. Dampen the rag with the hydrogen peroxide and use it to scrub off the stain. If it is resistant, then use the plastic-bristled scrub brush to tackle it. Continue to dampen the area using hydrogen peroxide as you scrub. You can repeat this up to three times to remove the stain.

5. Wipe down the tub. Use a cleaning rag and the spray cleaner to remove all cleaning residue from the bathtub, then settle in for a nice, relaxing soak.

Tips & Warnings

• Borax and lemon juice also works in a similar fashion.

• Muriatic acid can also be used to remove stains from cast iron--coated or not--but requires a great deal of care and preparation and should only be used if you have previous experience with this product.

References

• U.S. Department of Energy: Ask a Scientist--Bathtub Stain Removal
• My Home Improvement: Removing Rust from a Cast Iron Bath Tub