Learn the Best Way to Clean a Bathtub and Make Your Bathroom Your Sanctuary
Let’s face it. Your bathroom may be the only secluded oasis you get to experience each day.
With kids and pets running amok, you may have to fight for your solo bathroom time. At TLC Cleaning, we want to make keeping your bathroom clean as easy as it is for it to become dirty. And as it turns out, there is actually a “best” way to clean a bathtub.
We know that keeping a clean house is no small feat, but try today’s cleaning hack to get you started. And remember, if you can’t find the time or the motivation to use our cleaning tips, that’s what we do. Call us today to set up a customized cleaning schedule.
Today’s tip is all about bathtub beautification. Read on for a complete briefing on how to clean a tub to keep it as sparkly as you are.
All Tubs are not Created Equal
There are at least a million shower and tub options out there. Each different kind of bathtub requires a different cleaning protocol. At TLC Cleaning, we want to ensure that it feels like you are on vacation every time you get in your tub.
Let’s face it, as busy as our lives can be these days, the bathroom vacation may be the only one you get for the next several years. With our professional tips for optimal tub scrubbing, next time you get into your spotless tub, you can relax, recline and eventually wash all your cares down the bathtub drain. Better yet, give us a call, and we’ll do all the “dirty work” for you.
Tub Material is Key
So what kind of tub surfaces are we dealing with here? Is your tub porcelain? Acrylic? A combination of tile and grout on the walls and fiberglass for the bathtub itself?
You need to choose the right tools and bathtub cleaners for the job at hand, so you don’t damage your tub.
Cleaning your Fiberglass Tub
According to the Nebraska Extension Center, you should only clean your fiberglass tubs and walls with non-abrasive cleaning products and applicators made of nylon, polyester, or polyethylene. That means that all steel wool, metal scrapers, and conventional scouring powders are a big no-no for cleaning these synthetic materials (think microfiber cloths or sponge). Only use abrasive cleaning tools if you want to scratch the shiny finish right off the tub, making it look old way before its time.
For tough stains or sticky messes in fiberglass tubs, saturate the stain with a good grease cutter like an all-purpose cleaner or even Dawn dish soap. Let everything sit for an hour, and then wipe it with a clean, non-abrasive cloth.
If you are still having trouble releasing a stain, there’s no judgment—you can try a bit of nail polish remover or turpentine applied with a clean, white cotton cloth. Saturate the stain with the cleaner on the fabric rather than pouring it directly on the stain. Be careful to wipe up any extra chemicals with a cloth and prevent wash solvents from going down the drain.
If you want to go the extra mile to keep your acrylic tub shiny, you can purchase and apply a specially formulated gloss coat like Gel Gloss to repair minor scratches and keep your fiberglass tub looking newer longer.
Is My Tub Porcelain or Enamel?
If you have a non-acrylic tub, it is like porcelain or enamel, and each material has its own best practice for cleaning. There’s a fun way to tell the difference. If you have kids, have them help you with this experiment.
Grab a magnet and try to stick it to the inside or outside of the tub. Since enamel tubs cover an iron or steel tub base, a magnet should stick to an enamel tub. Porcelain tubs do not contain metal, so the magnet will not stick to this kind of bathtub finish.
What’s the Best Way to Clean a Bathtub?
Cleaning a PorcelainTub
For deep cleaning and stain removal, put a few drops of Dawn dish soap in a spray bottle with water. Spray liberally all over the surface of the tub, and then let it stand for about 15 minutes. Use a soft scrub brush or sponge to tackle the grime. Rinse the tub surface with water when finished and wipe clean before drying with a cloth.
For weekly maintenance, follow the same procedure. Hopefully, the scrubbing time should diminish if you stay consistent with your cleaning routine. (Are you having trouble staying consistent with your cleaning routine? Let TLC help with our regular cleaning services.)
Also Read: 7 Reasons You Need Professional Deep Cleaning Services
Cleaning an Enamel Tub
Generally speaking, you can use the same cleaning and scrubbing techniques for enamel bathtubs for porcelain ones.
Spray down the tub with soapy water, again using a grease-cutting dish soap like Dawn. Scrub with a soft brush or sponge, and then rinse and wipe dry.
For tougher stains, you can make a cleansing paste with warm water and a cup of baking soda and apply it to any stained areas. Let it sit for ten minutes, and then scrub, rinse, and wipe clean.
We think you should consider treating yourself to a beverage after all this hard work for a job well done. Better yet, schedule an appointment with TLC, and you can still have the drink while we scrub your tub.
What About the Grout?
If you have a tile tub surround, chances are your grout gets pretty grimy from time to time.
You can clean the surface by spraying it with hot water. For deeper stains and mildew, try spraying with a 50-50 mix of white vinegar and water and let stand for a few minutes.
Tile cleaners from the store work just as well. But, if you’re trying to limit the number of products in your home or prefer a natural cleaning method, the vinegar and water mixture is a fine substitute.
After applying your preferred cleaner, scrub the grout clean with a toothbrush, and rinse when done.
A Clean Tub Is a Happy Tub
Regularly cleaning your tub and tile ensures that your bathroom can act as your sanctuary.
Bath time is creative time, thought time, breathing time, and pampering time. Time spent in the tub should be YOU time.
We want your tub to be free of soap scum and a welcoming place for you to wash away all your stress while the world turns without you for a few minutes.
Give us a call at TLC Cleaning when the scrubbing gets the best of you. You are worthy of a clean and spotless tub, and we know the best ways to clean a bathtub to get you there!
