How to Clean a Bathtub So You Can Enjoy a Proper Soak

By Kelly Dawson

Sinking into a tub at the end of a long day can instantly make any stressors feel as light as the bubbles in the bath. Yet, if you don’t know how to clean a bathtub, the grime and soap scum ring around the perimeter, or the mildew where the caulk and grout meet, will only add to your list of worries. Skip ruminating about your cleaning to-do list and plan a bathroom cleaning ahead of time. Even a small detail like a clean bathtub can make you feel happier at home, not to mention, a spotless one prevents harder to deal with issues like mineral deposits, limescale, and ridiculous soap scum.

While the regularity with which you clean your tub depends on how many people live in your home—for instance, bath time with kids will create more dirt than a solo homeowner—a visibly dirty bathtub is a no-no in everyone’s book. Avoid a tub of shame by committing to a monthly deep clean and a quick weekly scrub-downs with a few simple cleaning tips so you can use your bath as a source of relaxation, not angst. Read on to learn how to clean bathtub stains before soaking in bubble bath haven. Cue candles and essential oils.

Cleaning your bathtub properly depends on its material, so determine whether yours is made of fiberglass, acrylic, or porcelain before getting started. There’s a chance it’s made of stone too, which is the easiest building material to guess. Once you’ve figured that out, and cleared your tub of any bottles, toys, and the like, you can get to work. You’ll need a spray bottle, a sponge, an old toothbrush, a microfiber cloth (or paper towels), a scrub brush with bristles, and a bucket to mix cleaning solution. It’s also a good idea to wear rubber gloves to protect your skin, put a rolled-up towel beneath your knees, and open any windows (or use a fan) for ventilation. Cleaning a bathtub requires a bit of elbow grease, so do it on a day when you have time and energy.

“Although acrylic tubs are extremely durable, their soft surfaces can easily be damaged by abrasive cleaning products and methods,” says Joshua Wakeford, American Standard senior product associate in Canfield, Ohio. He recommends using gentle materials such as baby shampoo and warm water on a damp rag or cloth. Once the surface is dry and clean, rubbing a bit of car wax on the tub in a circular motion can help protect it from future stains and scratches. If you have a bathtub drain that has a clog, pour two cups of vinegar and a quarter of a cup of baking soda into it, and then chase with boiling hot water. If it’s still not draining, you might need to use a plunger or an auger to dislodge a hair clog. Next, rinse the tub and wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth.

If you have a fiberglass tub that isn’t shockingly gross, combine one part warm water and two parts vinegar in a spray bottle and cover the entire tub with the solution. Let it sit for up to 20 minutes, and then use a soft sponge to lightly scrub the sides and the floor. Skip the steel wool as it may scratch the surface. Rinse and dry the tub as the final step.

To really clean a fiberglass tub, Wakeford recommends a paste of baking soda, dish soap and water, which you can then apply all over the surface. “Let the paste sit for at least thirty minutes prior to scrubbing the surface to remove the dirt, and then rinse with cold water,” he says. Stubborn stains may need a deep clean. Fill the bathtub with equal parts white vinegar and hot water and allow to soak for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen up the grime. Drain the water, and then use the baking soda paste. Switch to the toothbrush to get into the corners and around the faucet.

The best way to clean a porcelain bathtub stains is to create a mixture of a few drops of dish soap and hot water and apply it to your tub with a gentle rag. “It’s important to avoid cleaning products with harsh chemicals or abrasive applicators as they may damage the finish of the tub,” Wakeford advises. “For a deep clean, create a mixture with equal parts of ammonia and baking soda, ¼ cup each, with a gallon of warm water.” Be sure to thoroughly rinse the tub after, especially if you plan on using other cleaning solutions that have bleach for surrounding tile or to clean aluminum blinds—this will minimize your chances of accidentally creating a toxic gas.

When it comes to statement stone bathtubs (think Calacatta marble or limestone), you’ll want to a a cleaning solution that works on stone kitchen countertops. Avoid harsh chemicals that can discolor or stain the material. Instead, mix equal parts dish soap like Dawn EZ-Squeeze and warm water to get rid of buildup. A non-scratch sponge should do the trick.

In any case, if you have stubborn stains that won’t give up the fight during your bathroom cleaning, either use a nonabrasive cleaning product or make a paste out of baking soda and water. Apply it to the stain, grout line, or hard water marks on the faucet and let it work for a few hours. Then rinse the tub surface with warm water and dry it using a microfiber cloth.

If your bath enclosure is as dirty as your tub, you can clean off mold and mildew with a toilet bowl cleaner that contains bleach. After you’ve applied it to the area, let it sit for at least an hour before scrubbing it clean and rinsing it down with water. A handheld showerhead is especially helpful for this. A shower curtain liner can be popped into the washing machine as you work. Don’t forget about the power of Windex, either. As for tile cleaner, just be sure that whichever one you use doesn’t interact with the bleach. You want to disinfect and get rid of tough stains, not breath in noxious fumes.

For a more natural way to clean a bath enclosure, Wakeford recommends a cleaning solution of equal parts of warm water and white vinegar to fill an empty spray bottle. Pro tip: Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the cleaning mixture to help neutralize the smell of the vinegar. “Peppermint usually works best,” he adds. Next, fill the bathtub with about two inches of warm or hot water and spray the entire surface with this mixture. Let it sit for about 20 to 30 minutes before wiping the surface clean with a paper towel. Make sure to remove any excess vinegar with warm water and then drain all the water from your bathtub.

Don’t forget to clean vinyl blinds if your bath has a window on one of the walls. Constant contact with moisture can make blinds full of mildew, mineral deposits, and dust. The good news, you don’t have to go far to clean them. Once you unhook the blinds, you can place them in your tub before you scrub it down. Check the manufacturer guidelines to make sure that’s ok to submerge the blinds in water. Once you’re cleared, fill the tub with these cleaning supplies: a half cup of baking soda, another half cup of vinegar, and water. Spread out the vinyl blinds as much as possible so the cleanser covers every nook and cranny. Leave soaking for an hour. Drain the tub, and let the blinds air dry, preferably outside. To clean blinds quickly use a vacuum cleaner with a soft dusting brush attachment to remove dust. To spot treat stains, spray hydrogen peroxide and wipe away with a clean cloth.

Yellowed aluminum blinds can return to former white glory with a mixture of cold water and two cups of liquid bleach. Fill the tub and dunk the blinds while wearing rubber gloves, but only keep them there for 10 minutes, tops. Retrieve the blinds and rinse. Let the aluminum blinds air-dry on top of an old towel. Keep windows open, or run a fan, to ventilate the area. Finally, reattach the blinds, clean the bathtub, and get the full benefits of a sparkling bathroom.