How To Clean a Bathtub

  • December 10, 2007
  • 20,858 Views
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Whether you shower in it or use it for long, luxurious baths, there’s nothing clean—or relaxing—about a tub full of grime, mold, or mildew.

You Will Need

  • A pair of rubber gloves
  • A mildly abrasive or non-abrasive bathtub cleaner, depending on your tub
  • A scrub brush or sponge, depending on your tub
  • Water
  • An old toothbrush
  • A sponge or rag
  • Clean, dry cloths
  • Liquid soap
  • Antibacterial essential oil
  • Baking soda
How To Clean a Bathtub: Ventilate room

Step 1: Ventilate room

Ventilate the room by turning on any fans and opening any doors or windows.

How To Clean a Bathtub: Put on gloves

Step 2: Put on gloves

Put on rubber gloves.

How To Clean a Bathtub: Clean drain

Step 3: Clean drain

Remove any hair from the drain.

How To Clean a Bathtub: Apply cleaner

Step 4: Apply cleaner

If your tub is porcelain or coated with enamel, apply a mildly abrasive bathtub or all-purpose cleaner to the tub and let it sit for a period of time, according to product directions. Scrub the tub with your brush, then rinse well.

For a natural cleaning product, mix a teaspoon of liquid soap, a few drops of an antibacterial essential oil (such as eucalyptus, rosemary, tea tree, or peppermint), a cup of baking soda, and enough water to make a paste.

How To Clean a Bathtub: Scrub & rinse

Step 5: Scrub & rinse

If your tub is fiberglass or acrylic, use a sponge to apply a nonabrasive cleaning product or one designed for fiberglass. Scrub gently, being careful not to scratch the tub, then rinse well.

If you damage the caulking along the tub while you are scrubbing, repair it as soon as you’re done cleaning — and before using the tub — to prevent water damage.

How To Clean a Bathtub: Remove grime

Step 6: Remove grime

Use your cleaning product and an old toothbrush to remove any hard-to-reach grime.

How To Clean a Bathtub: Scrub stains

Step 7: Scrub stains

For stubborn stains or rings on porcelain or enamel tubs, try scrubbing with baking soda on a damp sponge or a mildly abrasive cleaner.

How To Clean a Bathtub: Clean fixtures

Step 8: Clean fixtures

Using a sponge or rag, clean the fixtures with an all-purpose cleaner.

How To Clean a Bathtub: Rinse & dry

Step 9: Rinse & dry

Rinse off all remaining cleaner and dry the whole tub with a clean cloth. Now, after all that work, you can indulge yourself with a nice, hot bath.

At over 300 pounds, U.S. President William Howard Taft required his own oversized tub installed in the White House.

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Comments (1)

shadow43421

Taft's bathtub was almost the size of a small swimming pool.

over 3 years ago by shadow43421

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