We use our bathtubs everyday as that is where we soak and scrub ourselves and we use it to get grime and dirt off us. Afterwards we remove the water in the tub and we think that it is already clean on its own, the thing is some of the dirt and the grime stays in the bathtub even after we washed it with water and drain it, in most cases there are even particles or molds that start to accumulate and grow because of this. This is the reason why bathtubs should still be cleaned and scrub as frequently as possible.

Most of the things that you need to get rid off are soap scum, mineral deposits, dirt, limescale and grime. You may think that it is difficult to get rid of all of them, but there is an easy way to clean your bathtub without exerting so much time and effort. In this way you can clean your tub and make your next shower pleasing.

What you will need

  • Grout brush

  • Tile Cleaner

  • Cleaning sponges and cloths

  • Small cleaning brush or an old toothbrush

  • Bathroom cleaner or an all-purpose cleaner

Make sure that the tub is empty

The first thing that you will need to do is to make sure that your bathtub is empty of toys, bottles, toiletries and loofas, or any other items that you put in your bathtub or around it. You can use this as an opportunity to remove all the things that are no longer needed and bottles that are already empty into the trash bin. You can also segregate the things that you still need and the things that you no longer need. Remember to wipe all the items that you are still going to be using as soap scum can built-up on them and they can be slimy and dirty. After removing them and wiping them, you can place them anywhere on the side to be put in and around your bathtub after you clean it.

Clean the tub surround first

The first thing that you need to clean are the walls around your bathtub and the walls above it. Use your grout brush and a tile cleaner to clean your grout since dirt and mildewed accumulate in that area because of the constant exposure to water. Work your way from top to bottom and follow the instructions that you see on your tile cleaner. After brushing, wash away the tile cleaner and the residue and make sure that it is not slimy to touch, if it is then there is a possibility that there is still residue left and you need to wash it more. After washing them thoroughly, spray the walls with the all-purpose cleaner, just make sure that you do not mix your all-purpose cleaner with your tile cleaner. You can use any cleaner that is made for bathtubs and its surround. After spraying, wipe the walls thoroughly and make sure that there won’t be any sticky feeling or there are no obvious dirty areas. Make sure that the bathroom is ventilated so that the smell of bleach or any strong scent won’t linger inside, you can open a window or use a fan.

Clean the interior next

The next step after washing the exterior, is cleaning the interior of your bathtub. You can do this by spraying an all-purpose cleaner and let it sit for about 3 to 5 minutes to allow the cleaner to melt and remove grime and dirt that has stuck on the bathtub floor. After 3 to 5 minutes you can wipe the bathtub starting from the top going all the way down to the bottom of the tub. After wiping the tub, clean the interior of the tub thoroughly.

Clean the soap scum in your bathtub

Remove the soap scum in your bathtub by using a small cleaning brush or an old toothbrush, scrub the corners of your tub especially the area between the bathtub and the wall. You can also go around the bathtub as there are other areas where soap scum has accumulated that you are not aware about. Most soap scum are of dark color, so it is fairly easy to spot.

Clean the stained ring around the tub

Stained rings are also a problem with bathtubs and they usually form in the interior of the tub. This area needs more scrubbing and cleansing and this is the part wherein you will really need to scrub harder so that you can fully remove it. Rinse the area thoroughly once you are done.

Wipe everything after scrubbing

After scrubbing and cleaning the exterior and the interior of your bathtub and after rinsing it thoroughly, you need to dry out the tub. Do this by wiping the tub down with a clean cleaning cloth or towel. This is needed so that there won’t be any reside or water sport that will remain in the tub.

Things to remember

  1. Be careful with scrubbing your tub especially if it is made out of acrylic as it could damage your tub permanently, make sure that the metal part of your scrub won’t hit the tub. Same thing goes with enamel tubs.

  2. If you do not have a bathtub cleaner, then you can mix vinegar and baking soda. This mixture is powerful enough to remove stains and dirt on tiles, acrylic, ceramic and enamel tubs. Make sure to rinse your tub thoroughly afterwards.

  3. To protect your hands from the chemicals, you need to wear gloves fit for cleaning. Also, make sure that your bathroom is well ventilated while you are cleaning so that the smell will not linger inside.

  4. Do not mix the cleaners. Make sure that all of the residue of the cleaner is removed before you use another one. Mixing cleaners can damage your tub and it won’t be as effective as they can be as they are meant to work on their own. After cleaning and washing your tub, make sure that you wipe it clean.

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