How to Clean a Bathtub

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.

Instructions

Step 1: Ventilate room Ventilate the room by turning on any fans and opening any doors or windows.
Step 2: Put on gloves Put on rubber gloves.
Step 3: Clean drain Remove any hair from the drain.
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.
TIP: 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.
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.
TIP: 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.
Step 6: Remove grime Use your cleaning product and an old toothbrush to remove any hard-to-reach grime.
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.
Step 8: Clean fixtures Using a sponge or rag, clean the fixtures with an all-purpose cleaner.
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.
FACT: At over 300 pounds, U.S. President William Howard Taft required his own oversized tub installed in the White House.