How to Clean Your Bathtub

Let’s face it — cleaning the bathroom isn’t exactly a fun job, especially when it comes to your bathtub. Depending on the size of it, you might dedicate a significant portion of your bathroom cleaning time to your tub, especially when grime and soap scum have built up over time.

However, regularly cleaning your bathtub is necessary. It lowers your risk of infections by removing germs, dirt, grime and bacteria and keeps your tub looking shiny and new. Below, we take a look at the ins and outs of cleaning your tub so you can do so in the easiest and most thorough way possible.

How Often Should You Clean Your Bathtub?

Generally, you should disinfect your bathtub daily, clean it and your shower curtain weekly, and deep clean it monthly, though you might need to do these tasks more frequently if you use your tub often. By routinely disinfecting and cleaning your tub and shower curtain, you prevent the growth and spread of germs and bacteria.

Here’s how to disinfect your tub, clean your tub and deep clean your tub.

How to Disinfect a Bathtub

To disinfect your bathtub, wipe it down with a disinfecting wipe or disinfecting spray and a cleaning cloth. The disinfectant kills germs and bacteria and restores your tub’s shine. Then, disinfect your shower curtain by washing it in the washing machine with hot water and mild detergent.

When disinfecting your tub, check out any loofas you have. These bathtub accessories hold moisture, which can promote the growth of bacteria. Therefore, it’s best to throw out loofas and replace them monthly.

How to Clean a Bathtub

If you only shower in your tub-shower combination, you might be able to clean your tub less frequently. However, regular use will require frequent cleanings. To do a regular cleaning you:

1. Rinse out the tub with hot water.
2. Sprinkle baking soda on all tub surfaces.
3. Fill a half-gallon bucket with hot water and two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid.
4. Dip a scrub brush or sponge into the bucket and scrub the tub’s surfaces. Periodically rinse the sponge or brush and add more soapy water to it.
5. Once the tub looks clean, rinse it out.
6. Wipe off the tub faucet, handles and drain using a dry cloth.

How to Deep Clean a Bathtub

Be sure to deep clean your bathtub monthly to effectively remove and prevent mold, mildew, soap scum, grime and bacteria buildup. Additionally, deep cleaning is how you get stains out of the bottom of your bathtub. The method for deep cleaning a bathtub will change based on what kind of tub you have.

Acrylic Tubs

These tubs usually have a gloss or semi-gloss finish that harsh chemicals in cleaners can damage. To deep clean an acrylic tub, use dish soap, baking soda and lemon juice so that you can keep your tub’s finish intact. Here are the steps for deep cleaning an acrylic tub:

1. Create a mixture of an equivalent amount of water, baking soda and dishwashing liquid. Add a few drops of lemon juice to the mixture and mix it together.
2. Use a sponge to coat the tub in the mixture evenly.
3. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes.
4. Scrub the tub with a sponge or brush.
5. Rinse the tub with hot water.

Porcelain or Fiberglass Tubs

While vinegar can be too harsh for acrylic tubs, it’s perfect for porcelain and fiberglass tubs. The steps for deep cleaning a porcelain or fiberglass tub are:

1. Mix water and vinegar in a spray bottle. The ratio of water to vinegar is 2:1 for fiberglass tubs and 1:1 for porcelain tubs. Add a few drops of lemon juice for a pleasant scent and cleaning boost.
2. Coat the tub in the solution and allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes.
3. Lightly scrub the tub’s surface with a wet cloth or sponge.
4. Rinse the tub.

If your tub is very dirty, you may have to clean it with bleach. This product is safe for fiberglass and porcelain tubs but generally not for acrylic tubs and could void the manufacturer’s warranty. To deep clean a bathtub with bleach, do the following:

1. Wear a face mask and safety gloves to protect yourself.
2. Mix half a cup of bleach with a gallon of warm water.
3. Use a sponge to coat the tub in the solution and wait about five minutes.
4. Scrub the tub with a sponge or brush, using more elbow grease in areas with tough stains.
5. Rinse out the bathtub with cold water.

How to Remove Mold and Mildew From a Bathtub

Can you use toilet bowl cleaner in a bathtub? Yes, if you can’t remove mold and mildew with the deep cleaning solutions above, try using a toilet bowl cleaner. The gels in toilet bowl cleaner cling to mold and mildew and break it down. Here are the steps you need to take:

• Cover the mold and mildew with the cleaner.
• Let the cleaner sit for an hour. For extremely moldy surfaces, it might need to sit overnight.
• Scrub the areas with a brush and water.
• Rinse out the tub.

Tips for Cleaning Your Bathtub

These tips for cleaning your bathtub can help save you time and keep your tub as clean as possible:

• When you clean the wall tiles and the tub at the same time, save the tub for last.
• Kneel down on a towel, so cleaning isn’t painful.
• If your drain is slow, sprinkle 4 tablespoons of baking soda down it and follow with 2 cups of vinegar. Once the bubbling stops, dump boiling water down it to remove buildup.
• If there’s a tough stain, make a paste out of baking soda and water and apply it to the stain. When the paste dries, usually after a few hours, you can wipe it and the stain away.
• To prevent your drain from clogging, install a drain catcher.

Let Rent Maids Take Care of Cleaning Your Bathtub

If you don’t have time to regularly clean and deep clean your bathtub, a cleaning service can solve your problems so you can check your bathroom off your cleaning to-do list without having to do the work yourself. Let Rent Maids take care of cleaning your bathroom. Our professionals sanitize areas you may not even think of and leave your bathroom sparkling. We service Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland. Use our online calculator to receive a free quote and schedule cleaning services today!