Monthly Maintenance Reminder: Bathtub Cleaning Hacks

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One might think twice about stepping into a grimy tub. Just the mere sight of it can have you cringing in disgust. On the other hand, it’s hard to resist the temptation of stepping into a sparkling clean tub - the second you see one you’re suddenly envisioning bubbles and dim lights and a night of relaxation. 

But let’s be honest, bathtub maintenance isn’t normally the favorite item on a household to-do list. Be that as it may, keeping your bathing area in good shape doesn’t need to be a daunting process. It normally shouldn’t take much of your time either. Moreover, there’s a whole bunch of bathtub cleaning hacks that you can use to make things easier. 

1. DIY Bathroom Cleaner

If you’re looking for a go-to bathtub cleaner that does the job, consider making your own. You can even pick a scent that perks up the whole bathroom. A DIY cleaner can even serve as an all-purpose bathroom cleaning product that not only smells lovely, but is also completely natural. Simply combine water with Castile soap, baking soda, and an essential oil or two of your choice. What's best about essential oils — such as lavender or sage — is that you can opt for a different scent each time. Use the DIY mixture to clean your tub as you would with conventional products. 

2. Grapefruit and Salt Hack

Natural cleaners such as grapefruit and salt are great alternatives to commercial products.

Using grapefruit and salt for bathtub cleaning is not much of a secret. In fact, it is easily one of the best tub cleaners — unless you have hard water, in which case you’re going to need something a bit tougher to get rid of calcium sediments. This natural cleaning method involves dipping half a grapefruit in salt, wetting the bathtub, and gently scrubbing it down with the grapefruit. Then, simply rinse your tub using the showerhead for a lasting sparkle and an enticing aroma. After all, it’s hard not to love the refreshing scent of grapefruit. 

3. Magic Eraser Trick

Another bathtub cleaning hack involves using a Magic Eraser. This trick is mainly ideal for minor touches rather than a deep clean. It’s especially great for when you need to clean tub rings and drain rings, and it leaves your tub spick and span. What’s even better is that you won’t need to wipe up any harsh cleaners that would otherwise leave a residue. This hack leaves behind nothing but a shining finish. 

4. Powder Dish Detergent for Hot Tubs

Maintain the luxurious shine of your jetted tub by cleaning it on a regular basis.

When it comes to cleaning different types of hot tubs, there’s another household product you can use: dishwashing powder. The trick involves filling your bathtub with water until the jets are submerged by 2 to 3 inches, adding a quarter cup of powder dish detergent, and running the jets for about 15 minutes. The hot tub jets essentially do all the work as you sit back and relax. The water will be significantly cleaner once you fill up the hot tub to rinse it - and the insides of your jets will be nice and cleansed too!

5. DIY Tile, Grout, and Bathtub Cleaner

What’s the point of cleaning a bathtub when the surrounding surfaces are dirty? Cleaning the tile and grout on bathtub walls can be annoying, but you can get spectacular results with a DIY cleaner. You’ll need to mix baking soda with a bit of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide, and use the combination as you would with other detergents. Not only is this DIY solution environmentally friendly, it is also easy on the lungs and eyes — unlike a lot of commercial products.  

6. White Vinegar and Baking Soda Method

The combination of vinegar and baking soda is a go-to homemade cleaner for several purposes.

You’re probably familiar with the fizzing effect that you get by mixing vinegar and baking soda. That same effect can come in handy while cleaning a bathtub. There are several ways to use this combination. One effective method involves sprinkling the tub with baking soda, spraying with vinegar, and letting the mixture do its magic for a few minutes. Next, use a sponge to scrub the combination until it turns into a paste. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before wiping and rinsing with water. 

You can use the same hack for jetted tubs as well. Simply apply baking soda, scrub the tub down, fill it up with water, and add a generous amount of vinegar before activating the jets. While vinegar and baking soda can work in many cases, the notion of it being an all-purpose solution is a cleaning hack myth.

7. Dish Soap and Vinegar

There’s an overwhelmingly large amount of commercial cleaners available on the market. And in many cases, you’ll barely ever use them once they end up in your cabinets. Fortunately, one of the best bathtub cleaners consists of just vinegar and dish soap. Simply combine an equal amount of both in a spray bottle, mix well, and spritz away. In the case of stubborn stains, you may need to let the solution sit a little longer. Next, wipe it down for a sparkling clean finish. 

8. Lemon Juice Scrub

Lemon juice is considered to have natural bleaching properties, making it an effective cleaning agent.

If your tub appears to be discolored, you can restore the luster with a couple of lemons and some baking soda. Cut a lemon in half, dip the sliced part in baking soda, and use it to scrub down your tub. The juice from the lemon acts as a natural bleaching agent. The baking soda, on the other hand, is a mildly abrasive ingredient that works to eliminate grime and stains. 

9. Bleach and Cotton for Mold Removal

Black mold is known to cause a lot of health problems. And needless to say, it’s rather unsightly. In many cases, however, getting rid of the spores is a normally simple bathtub cleaning trick. It involves soaking cotton balls in bleach water, applying it along the edges of the tub where the mold is, and letting it sit overnight. Since you’ll be dealing with both mold and bleach, it’s critical that you wear gloves, goggles, and a safety mask. 

10. Stronger Bleach Solution (with Baking Soda)

Combine bleach and baking soda in a container for a stronger cleaning solution.

The humid atmosphere of a bathroom makes it an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew. And in certain cases, the spores can be quite stubborn. If bleach alone doesn’t do the trick, you may need to take it up a notch by adding baking soda to the mix. Before getting started, make sure the bathroom is well-ventilated and that you’re wearing safety gear (mask, gloves, and goggles). Fill a container with bleach and baking soda, combining them into a paste. Using an old paintbrush, apply the solution onto the affected areas and cover them with a plastic wrap. Wait for about half an hour before removing the wrap and rinsing with water for a clean bathtub.

11. Vinegar, Dish Soap, and Magic Eraser for Rust Removal

In many cases, bathtubs in older homes have probably seen better days. Rust is one of the main issues among tubs that have been around for a while. While cleaning away nasty stains is fairly straightforward at this point, getting rid of rust involves a combination of two bathtub cleaning hacks. You’ll need to start with the vinegar and dish soap trick, spraying the mixture onto the affected areas, and following it up with the Magic Eraser hack. 

12. White Vinegar for a Clogged Showerhead

Make sure to test for the difference in water pressure after cleaning the showerhead.

It’s not uncommon for mineral deposits to build up on showerheads. This clogs the nozzles and slows down the flow of water as a result. However, you can solve this issue by disconnecting the showerhead from the pipe and soaking it in a container of white vinegar. Consider leaving it in the container overnight (or at least an hour or two depending on the extent of the clog) before scrubbing it with an old toothbrush to remove any loose sediments. Then, reattach the showerhead and run the water to test the nozzles. Remove any remaining obstructions using a toothpick if necessary.

Don’ts of Cleaning a Bathtub

Using Steel Wool

Avoid using steel wool or abrasive brushes while cleaning a bathtub. The items are known to leave scratches on your tub’s surface.

Mixing Different Cleaning Products 

Combining different cleaning agents can result in toxic fumes and damage to the skin. These include bleach and ammonia-based cleaners.

Working Without Gloves or Proper Ventilation

Make sure not to use harsh chemicals such as bleach without wearing safety masks, latex gloves, and protective goggles. You will also want to keep your bathroom well-ventilated during the process and for a while afterwards. 

Keeping your tub in tip top shape is a mark of good hygiene. And with a variety of bathtub cleaning hacks up your sleeve, it should be a breeze!