We all know the joy of a long, relaxing soak in a sparkling clean bathtub. But let’s face it: Bathtubs don’t magically stay pristine. Soap scum, mineral deposits from hard water, and grime can quickly build up, leaving your once-gleaming tub looking a little (or a lot) worse for wear. This is when it becomes necessary to know how to clean a bathtub. While tub cleaning isn’t difficult, this DIY guide will break it down into easy steps and cleaning tips you can follow until you have the process down!
How Often Should Bathtubs Be Cleaned?
If you’ve never learned how to clean a stained bathtub (or how to clean a bathtub drain!), you’re not alone. Generally, it’s a good rule of thumb to give the tub some attention at least once per week. Drains usually need less attention unless they regularly get clogged with hair. The frequency of tub cleaning can also vary based on how often you use the bath. Regardless, it always helps to keep some disinfecting bathtub cleaner on hand, as it can also come in handy for other areas of your bathroom.
Materials and Supplies Needed
If you want to learn the best way to clean a bathtub and want to use tried and true bathtub cleaners and supplies, make sure you have the materials below:
- Microfiber cloths and non-scratch sponges
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
- White vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Bucket
- Spray bottle
- Bleach (optional)
- Commercial drain cleaner (optional)
- Commercial bathtub cleaner (optional)
- Commercial tile cleanser (optional)
- Scrub brush (optional)
- Rubber gloves (optional)
- Safety glasses (optional)
- Face mask (optional)
If you choose to use bleach, try your best not to breathe it in. Open a window, turn on the bathroom fan, or put on a face mask so you can breathe safely.
How to Deep Clean a Bathtub
Whether you’re doing a regular clean or a deep clean of your bathtub, the process is similar. Below is a detailed breakdown of the deep cleaning process so you can get a full picture of how to clean a bathtub.
1. Declutter Your Bathtub Area
This might go without saying, but if you have soap bottles, toiletries, candles, or other items surrounding your bathtub, start by removing them so that 1) you can clean the entire area and 2) your bathroom cleaner won’t cause any damage.
2. Mix Your Own Bathtub Cleaner
Store bought cleaners made of harsh chemicals aren’t always the best option for cleaning your bathtub. Instead, opt for a homemade solution of white vinegar, dish soap, and essential oils. Mix the vinegar and dish soap into equal parts, and then add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a fresh scent. The natural acid in the white vinegar will add extra cleaning power to cut through heavy mineral deposits and soap scum.
3. Clear Out The Drain
If you’ve never learned how to clean a bathtub drain, you might be surprised at what all can build up in it. Hair, soap scum, and other debris can get jumbled together and clog your drain, sometimes to the point where you’ll have standing water.
To fix this, remove the drain cap, and remove any visible buildup with whatever tools that can reach inside. If the clog is unreachable, consider using either a mixture of homemade baking soda and vinegar or a commercial drain cleaner like Drano Max Gel. If you opt for the homemade mixture, pour one cup of baking soda down your drain, then follow it up with one cup of white vinegar. Immediately put the drain cap in place to maximize the foaming action that will occur.
After letting either mixture sit for 30-60 minutes, remove the drain cap, and flush the drain with hot water. When you’re looking for the best way to clean a bathtub, this is a step you won’t want to overlook!
4. Spray Down And Clean The Tiles And Walls Around Your Bathtub
For deep cleans, you’ll want to pay attention to the walls surrounding your tub before cleaning the actual tub. First, spray down the bathroom tiles with your cleaner. Then let the solution sit for 3-5 minutes before scrubbing it all down with a sponge. As a last step, fill your bucket with warm water or cold water, and rinse the area gently a few times until all soap residue is removed. For heavy stains or buildup, you may need to repeat this process!
5. Spray Down And Clean The Bathtub
Repeat the cleaning process you started on the wall, but this time, focus on the bathtub and bathtub edges. For stubborn stains, you may want to sprinkle baking powder onto the areas you’ve sprayed down with your vinegar and soap mixture.
After letting the solution sit, scrub the tub with your non-scratch sponge. Focus on corners and crevices that don’t always get attention during cursory bathtub cleans, and don’t forget to wash the water faucet, shower head, and handles. Finally, fill your bucket with water, and rinse all areas of the tub until all grime and soap are removed.
6. Wash Your Shower Curtain
If you have a bathtub with a shower and fabric shower curtain, make sure to wash your shower curtain regularly so that it doesn’t get stained with mold or mildew.
7. Repeat Any Steps If Necessary
Because buildup can require a few cleaning passes, you may need to repeat the above steps if your first round of tub cleaning didn’t fully do the trick.
8. Buff And Shine
To minimize any water spots, wipe your bathtub down with a dry microfiber cloth or paper towel after you’ve finished cleaning it. Assuming you don’t have any remaining bathtub stains, this will leave your bathtub sparkling. Then, once you’re ready, hang your towels, and take a soak!
While this guide on how to deep clean a bathtub has all the necessary details, feel free to adjust your approach as needed for regular, less robust cleans! Sometimes, you may just want to do some cursory bathroom cleaning or organizing. Gauge your bathtub cleanliness whenever you do this, and fit in cleaning when time allows!
Top Tips For a Clean Bathtub
The best way to clean a bathtub can vary, but here are a few tips that are universal:
1. Embrace The Power Of Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer, mild abrasive, and grime fighter. It’s safe on most bathtub surfaces and will tackle everything from soap scum to hard water stains. The best part? It’s natural and non-toxic. Use it to your advantage while learning how to clean a bathtub!
2. Use Vinegar Whenever Possible
Vinegar is highly acidic and will cut through soap scum and mineral deposits on your tub surface quite easily. While it does come with a smell, don’t worry too much—it’s non-toxic and will evaporate quickly. Mixing vinegar with either baking soda or dish soap will give you two different types of cleaning solutions, so use both to your advantage.
3. Try Natural Cleaner For Your Grout
If you don’t want to use bleach on your grout due to its toxicity, try going all natural with a paste made of baking soda and lemon juice. Spread it across the areas of your grout affected by mold or mildew, and let it sit 5-10 minutes before scrubbing it down. Rinse and dry the grout thoroughly as a final step.
4. Prevention Is Key
If you don’t want to face a mess every time you clean your bathtub, clean it more regularly! Not only will this prevent heavy buildup of soap scum, mineral deposits, and mold, but it will also create a more sanitary living environment for you.
Tub Cleaning FAQs
Still have questions? Check out these answers to some common ones:
Does The Bathtub Type Affect How You Clean It?
Yes. Different bathtub materials can require different cleaning methods. For example, acrylic or fiberglass tubs scratch easily, so avoid any harsh abrasives. Always check your manufacturer’s guidelines if you’re not sure what your particular bathtub requires. Most common tubs, however, will be just fine with the ingredients and materials listed above!
What’s The Best Way To Get Rid Of Soap Scum?
To get rid of soap scum, use a combination of baking soda and vinegar. This is a powerful mixture, as it can cut through most stains and buildups! You can also try commercial tub cleaning products designed for this purpose—just be cautious of their toxicity, and be sure to wear gloves if your hands will be exposed.
How do you get rid of grit or caulk around the bathtub?
For tough grime around caulk, use an old toothbrush with stiff bristles dipped in a vinegar solution, and scrub the grit away. If you need to replace the caulk around your bathtub, use a plastic putty knife or other sharp tool to cut it away. Then replace it with new caulking so that water won’t fall between any exposed seams in your wall or floor. Sometimes, this will be a necessary step in a bathroom remodel or tile removal, but either way, always make sure you have caulking surrounding your bathtub if it will be in use!
With these tips and tricks, your bathtub will be sparkling clean and ready for your next in-home spa day. Remember that regular maintenance and a little elbow grease are all it takes to keep your bathtub sparkling clean. If the task feels overwhelming, consider hiring a Tasker for regular deep cleaning!
