How to Clean a Bathtub
Like a Professional
Bathtubs accumulate soap scum over time, showing dark spots and dulling the natural shine, if the bathtub is not white will also show white spots. As a cleaning professional, I need to clean fast and do a good job at the same time, that’s why I use this method; is simple, fast and the results are so amazing that when I clean a house with a very dirty bathtub I know my clients are going to be blown away with the results.
To clean the bathtub you only need white distilled vinegar and dish soap. Just spray vinegar on the tub, scrub with dish soap, rinse and dry. This dissolves soap scum accumulated very fast, the whole process takes only a few minutes. Vinegar cleans, disinfects, and gives a nice shine, it also prevents soap scum and mold accumulation in the future. See below the step by step process with pictures.
1- Spray white vinegar to cover the entire area. Fill a clean spray bottle with white vinegar, there is no need to dilute it. Spray the tub entirely with it, especially in the most soiled areas where you see soap scum build-up and the dark ring that forms around the tub.
2- Scrub with dish soap. In a cup of water mix a few drops of dish soap and make it foam, scrub the tub using a non-scratching scouring pad. You will need to get on your knees, use a couple of rags folded as knee pads. Scrub the tub using as much soap as needed, you will feel how the soap scum dissolves as you scrub, if needed, add more vinegar for stubborn stains.
3- Rinse and dry. Rinse with water if you have a handheld shower, or wipe with a damp microfiber cloth, I always use the cloth, that way I don’t get wet, and is easier to dry later, makes the process a little faster. When wiping the residue with a damp cloth fold it in four and use all sides, rinse the cloth and repeat, then use a dry microfiber cloth to dry it, fold it in four, and use all sides. Never let it air dry, the water drops might leave a mark, when you dry it it gets a nice shine.
Here is the step by step with pictures:
1- Spray vinegar in the entire bathtub. Use undiluted white vinegar, cover the whole area and let it sit for 2 to 5 minutes. It has a strong smell but it will go away fast
2- Scrub with dish soap. Mix a cup of water and a few drops of dish soap, scrub the entire bathtub using a non-scratching scouring pad, the vinegar along with the detergent will dissolve the soap scum, you will notice right away how it comes off very easy as you scrub
3- Rinse and dry. Rinse the bathtub with water or wipe the detergent using a damp microfiber cloth folded in four, use all sides, rinse and repeat until all residue comes off, then use a dry microfiber cloth to dry completely
Enjoy the fantastic results! To show this process I found the perfect bathtub, since it is pink, the dark and white residue are very noticeable and the result shows perfectly in the pictures. Here are some tips to keep your bathtub always looking this great.
- Wipe it using a damp microfiber cloth sprayed with white vinegar, dry completely afterward. This will make it look shiny and will prevent soap scum to stick to it, do it at least once a week. If you do this once a week you will never need to scrub it again.
- Always keep a spray bottle full of undiluted white vinegar to clean your bathroom, this method also works for shower walls and bathroom fixtures.
- Microfiber cloths are the best to use for cleaning your bathroom, they are very absorbent and leave no lint behind, making any job easier
- If you have mold in the corners remove it using a small brush, use the same method, spray vinegar and scrub with dish soap. If it’s difficult to remove because it has penetrated the grout, clean the vinegar and soap completely and use chlorine bleach to clean it. Make a solution of 1 part of bleach and 10 parts of water, or you can use Clorox Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover. spray it, leave for about 10 minutes and rinse. Make sure the area is well ventilated and always use gloves. Make sure you do this after cleaning the bathtub to avoid mixing the chlorine with the vinegar. If the mold is in the caulking you won’t be able to remove it, the only solution is to remove the caulking and apply it again.