Your bathtub is that little corner in your house where you can get a well-deserved relaxing moment amid all the daily bustle. However, a dirty tub will take all the joy out of it—bathing in dirty water is as good as not bathing at all!

Cleaning your tub might not be a hard task, but it requires some considerations to avoid damaging the material. Here, you'll discover some effective ways to tackle the dirt in different types of bathtubs without any harm. Take a look!

Before you start

Although fairly straightforward, here are a couple of things you have to consider before cleaning your bathtub:

• Use some type of cushion like a mat (or some knee pads) to avoid knee pain from being on them for most of the process.
• Take everything out of the tub before you begin. If you have tub curtains, put them aside, too, so they don't get in the way when cleaning.
• If your bathtub has slits or sharp inner corners, get a soft toothbrush to reach them without a problem.

Once everything's ready, you can immediately get to work!

How to clean ceramic, porcelain, or acrylic bathtubs

Besides having a glossy and neat-looking surface, these types of bathtubs are non-porous and highly resistant to scratches, which makes them a go-to option for many homeowners.

As they won't get stained as much, cleaning them might be easier than other types, but you still need to do it properly. Also, cleaning acrylic the proper way becomes crucial to keep the tub functional and pretty, as harsh chemicals can discolor or crack its surface. Here's how:

1. Pretreat the whole tub by pouring warm water over the surface before proceeding.
2. Make a cleaning solution by mixing a squirt of mild detergent (look on the label for words like gentle, mild, or sensitive skin) with warm water—you can also replace the detergent with dish soap.
3. Dampen a clean kitchen sponge with your DIY cleaner and wipe all the inside and outside surfaces of the tub, focusing on the dirtier areas.
4. If a stain is not coming out, rub it with the rough side of the kitchen sponge until it is gone.
5. Once you finish, rinse the area with more warm water to get rid of all the residue. To do it, use the same kitchen sponge (now cleaned) dampened beforehand.

Pro-tip: Create a more powerful cleaner by mixing ¼ water cup with one cup of baking soda to form a paste you can use to treat the harder-to-take-out stains.

How to clean fiberglass bathtubs

While fiberglass bathtubs are more durable than most other types of bathtubs, they also are more prone to getting scratched, which calls for a more gentle approach when cleaning them.

Also, fiberglass's higher porosity can make room for mold and mildew to appear and stains harder to clean. Check out how to make these tubs spotless again without any harm:

1. Wipe the outside and inside of the bathtub with a warm-dampened cloth so the stains weaken before you start.
2. Create an effective cleaner by mixing ¼ vinegar cup with one cup of water and pouring it into a spray bottle. This will deal with potential (or already present) mold and stains in the cracks.
3. Spray the tub with your cleaner, looking to cover every corner. Pour a little more in the more stained areas. Once done, let the cleaner act for at least ten minutes.
4. Use a clean microfiber cloth to spread the liquid and wipe away the stains. Use a little more elbow grease for harder spots.
5. Finally, damp another clean microfiber cloth with warm water to rinse away the bathtub.

How to remove stains from stone resin bathtubs

Besides stains developing from normal use, stone resin bathtubs tend to acquire a yellowish color over time. So, stone resin bathtubs need a different kind of cleaner.

Another thing to consider is that although stone is treated to withstand constant contact with water in stone resin bathtubs, it still needs special treatment when cleaning to avoid the material getting eroded or discolored. Follow these steps to clean your tub properly:

1. Pre-soak the tub inside and outside with a warm-dampened cloth to soften the dirt.
2. Make a special DIY cleaning solution for stone resin by mixing 1⅔ cup baking soda, ½ cup vegetable oil-based liquid soap, ½ cup water, and 2 tablespoons vinegar. Mix the ingredients well before using.
3. Apply your homemade solution with a clean cloth, doing small circular motions. This will ensure all the surface is covered evenly thanks to overlapping circles.
4. Rinse and re-apply the solution as many times as you need to get rid of stains. Do a final thorough rinse before finishing.
5. Use a clean cloth to dry off all the extra water in your bathtub before calling it a day, as lingering moisture can accelerate the yellowing.

Extra: You can also get a store-bought cream cleanser if you are up for a trip to the store.

How to clean your bathtub drain

No bathtub is completely clean without tackling the drain, too. Prevent clogged pipes and foul odors by following this method:

1. Fill a large container with hot water. You can either get it from the nozzle or heat it on the stove.
2. Carefully and slowly pour the water directly into the drain.
3. Pour a cup of baking soda into the drain and let it rest for at least 20 minutes to get rid of smells.
4. After time's up, carefully pour hot vinegar into the conduit to dissolve any remaining debris.
5. One last time, pour hot water to rinse the drain completely.

Let Rain City Maids help you keep your bathtub clean!

One of the best ways to maintain your bathtub looking good is to clean it regularly. If you don't have the time (or you prefer to spend it on other things), we can tackle it for you! We offer affordable, outstanding cleaning services for your whole house, including your bathtub.

Let our expert team take over your chores and leave your home gleaming—100% guaranteed. Get instant pricing today!