How to Remove Stains From a Fiberglass Bathtub

Remove those stains from your fiberglass tub and start enjoying your bath again.

Few things make a nice long bath less appealing than ugly brown streaks and stains on the fiberglass of your bathtub. Even when you know the tub is clean, you probably feel a little funny about sitting your bare behind and all the rest of you on a surface that just looks dirty. While many people think that fiberglass tubs are too delicate to clean effectively, you can use gentle cleaning techniques to clean your tub right up.

Things You'll Need

• Non-abrasive liquid fiberglass cleaner
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Borax
• Sponge or cleaning rag

Instructions

1. Clean the tub before tackling the stains. Use a non-abrasive, liquid fiberglass cleaner to wipe down the entire tub and make sure the surface is as clean as possible. Rinse down the tub to remove cleaning residue before you continue.

2. Make a paste of baking soda and vinegar for the stained area. Sprinkle the area with a thick layer of baking soda and add vinegar until you have a thick paste that does not slide off the stains. If you have trouble keeping the paste on the stains, you can place a vinegar-dampened cloth over the paste to hold it in place. Let the paste sit on the stain for 15 minutes. You may be able to see the stain lift off the tub during this time.

3. Scrub the paste off the stained area. Use plenty of hot water because baking soda will leave a scummy residue if you do not remove it completely. You can use the sponge or a soft scrub brush with plastic bristles. If the stain is not completely gone, repeat the baking soda step up to five more times or move on to something stronger.

4. Sprinkle borax crystals on the stained area. This strategy is particularly effective for hard-water stains. Let the borax sit on the stain for five minutes, then wipe the stain away with a damp sponge.

5. Clean the entire tub again. Use the non-abrasive cleaner and plenty of hot water to remove all cleaning residue before you settle into your bubble bath.

Tips & Warnings

• You can add lemon juice to the baking soda paste for a natural bleaching effect.

• Always test cleaning agents on a small, unnoticeable part of the tub before using them on large areas.

References

• Cleaning Tips: Removing Stains From Bathtubs
• Creative Homemaking: Cleaning Fiberglass Bathtubs
• TLC Home: How to Clean Your Bathroom