Comments on: How to Clean a Bathtub

on 10/11/2008 I bought a rubber bathmat for my tub, not knowing that it would leave an imprint on the tub if I didn't take it out between showers. I don't have any idea how to get rid of this stain; what to use. Has anyone else had this problem, and can tell me how to get rid of the imprint? Thanks for any help.

on 6/4/2007 To remove the rust stains underneath the faucet if it leaks is to use a pumice stone (the type people use to scrape dead skin off their feet) and use it to scrub off the rust it works perfectly and won't damage the enamel (don't use it on fiberglass though)

on 11/16/2006 Or, you can just buy a tub that CLEANS ITSELF!!! I bought a whirlpooltub from Hydromassage. The best investment I ever made, and very cheap!

on 9/12/2006 Mr. Clean Magic Eraser will have take away the discoloration and have your tub white and bright again.

on 7/30/2006 For really grubby bath tubs, sprinkle washing powder on a damp cloth and wash the bath tub! Rinse well and you bath will be sparkling.

on 6/30/2006 The Works, it's my best cleaning friend for really tough stains. I use it along with the Magic Eraser. WOW!

on 11/22/2005 Throughly spray the tub with Comet bathroom cleaner, let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it out with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. The combination is great. It removed stains from my tub that were 10 years old with minimal effort.

on 11/22/2005 Bathrooms: Chemicals and tools needed: Toilet bowl cleaner
All purpose disinfectant cleaner.
Windex.\t
Tilex (soap scum remover for non porous surfaces).
Tile cleaner for mold and mildew cleaner for tile and ceramic.
Tooth brush, scrub brush, scrubby/ sponge, rounded plastic bristle toilet brush, terry cloth towel, and paper towels or for the glass and fixtures.

Remove and clean the light fixtures and dust the light bulbs as soon as you turn the lights on and while they are still cool. Vacuum blinds and curtain tops using the brush attachment, then vacuum the floors and baseboards. Loosen up grunge and remove hair from completely from dry shower and tub tracks with an old toothbrush, then vacuum with a long-nosed attachment. Spray tracks with liquid spray cleaner making sure that the correct cleaner is used for the correct metals/surfaces. Rinse tracks with a shower wand (if you have one), or simply pour water into tracks. Direct the water away from the floor. Clean the outside of the tub, the baseboards and the floor around the tub/shower clean corners.

Squirt toilet bowl cleaner under the rim of the toilet bowl. Spray the all purpose cleaner around the outside of the toilet and in the sink. Spray the tub and shower with the appropriate cleaner. Clean the sinks, vanity, front of cabinets, towel bars and switch plates. Use a tooth brush around & under faucets, C/H caps. Clean the drains and plug.

Using the all purpose cleaner clean the baseboards and floor in front of the sink. Clean the toilet bowl making sure that the inside rim is scrubbed with the brush. Use a tooth brush around screw caps and lid bolts and clean the entire outside of the bowl. Using the all purpose cleaner clean the baseboards and floor around and behind the toilet. Scrub the tub/shower with a tile brush and for those hard-to-reach places use a toothbrush.

Be sure to clean under the soap dish, under the water spout, the shower head and the drain. Apply cleaner to tub coated in enamel, the most durable of bathtub materials. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes, and scrub with a scrub brush and or a scrubby using gentle pressure. When scrubbing, pay special attention to the corners of the tub and the area around the drain, where soap scum and dirt tend to build up. Apply a nonabrasive bathroom or bathtub cleaner if the tub is acrylic, which can scratch easily. Gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush and/or scrubby. Rinse the tub well.
Wipe dry the fixtures and accessories. Mop.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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on 11/22/2005 I used Barkeeper's Friend (a can of cleansing powder) and a scrub brush and it took off the black areas (where your feet usually are) in the shower. It took a little elbow grease, but it worked like a charm and I am very satisfied with it. I would suggest using gloves with this product, as my fingers are very flaky and dry now.

on 11/22/2005 Sprinkle a little Epsom salt in your bath water. It doesn't seem to matter how little, and I don't use a whole cup (like the package recommends). The soap floats on top of the water and doesn't stick to the sides of the tub. I found this out by accident when trying to soothe sore muscles with the Epsom salt. Also, the Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is the key ingredient when making your own bath salts.

on 11/22/2005 I am horrible when it comes to cleaning my shower-bath combo unit. It was close to white when I moved into my apartment (actually it was more of an egg shell color). I would clean the tub every now and then, it's pretty bad. I work on my vehicle fairly extensively, so I was leaving some pretty bad stains in the tub when I bathed. I tried oven cleaner, that didn't work (and it attracted ants). Bleach didn't even touch the stains. The usual light-weight cleaners that promise to clean (Lysol, Pine Sol, and Scrubbing Bubbles), couldn't make a dent in my mess! My solution?

Castrol (purple pump bottle) Engine De-greaser! You must have a well ventilated area! The smell will last for hours, but compared to a really ugly tub and shower stall, the price of fumes for a few hours in a piece of cake! Cleaning my shower was a snap!

on 11/22/2005 I worked as a housekeeper for several years. I discovered the best cleaner was hidden in the kitchen. Electrosol rubbed on any tub, with a bit of hot water, removes everything. Even those tough iron deposits. I use it on my tubs, toilets and sinks. No time to really clean the shower? No problem. Throw Electrosol on damp shower walls and walk away. Come back later, turn on the the shower, and all the dirt and grime go down the drain. To top it off, it works unbelievably in carpet cleaners too! I cleaned an old orange shag carpet and it came out beautifully.

on 11/22/2005 Mix baking soda with liquid soap or detergent so that it has the consistency of icing. Add a couple of drops of essential oils (I use lavender and tea tree, both of which supposedly disinfect). This will require more elbow grease than harsh chemicals, but it is safe for you and the environment, and it's cheap.

Please note that the baking soda is a mild abrasive, so I'm not sure if this is safe for acrylic tubs.

on 11/22/2005 I want to reinforce two things I've read here. Not only have I been a maid for years and used all kinds of products, I've found nothing easier than either baking soda or Borax to clean a tub. Not only are they both environmentally friendly and much cheaper than most items I've read about, it's extremely easy to make either one into a paste. Neither hurts your hands chemically, and there's no need to rinse as thoroughly as you would with a harsh chemical. They're both water softeners, which can even benefit skin (in dilutions).

on 11/22/2005 Pour a little mineral oil (yup, the stuff Grandma gave you to be "regular") onto a paper towel or sponge and rub on stubborn soap scum. The mineral oil and a little pressure will take it right off!! It's cheap, easy and you don't need to open the windows from the fumes!!