If you’re like many homeowners, you schedule your home cleaning over the weekend, which means that even if you use the bathtub once or twice a week, you wash it with soap and water once a week. Over time, your bathtub gets quite dirty due to soap scum or limescale and mineral deposits that build up on the surface of the tub.
Here are some tips that will make the task easier, so you can mark your tub sparkling clean and shiny once again.
Essential materials
You’ll need some essential cleaning materials and tools to help you give your tub a good cleaning. Prepare the following:
- Grout brush
- Scrub brush
- Cleaning cloths or sponges
- Small cleaning brush
- Spray bathroom cleaner and bathtub cleaner
- Tile cleaner
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
Before you start cleaning, make sure that you open the bathroom door and windows to ensure proper ventilation.
Steps to clean your tub properly
1. Remove everything that you have in the tub
The things you have in your tub should not come in contact with the cleaning products. Therefore, you should remove everything. Wash and dry these items before putting them back to remove any soap scum.
2. Wash the areas surrounding the bathtub
From top to bottom, wash the walls and tiles around the tub. Use a special cleaner or an all-purpose cleaner for the walls. Give the areas a good scrub with a cloth or sponge to remove soap scum or sticky dirt. Use a tile cleaner and sponge or cloth for the tiles. Pay close attention to the dirt and mildew on the tile grout. Rinse the tiles and walls with clean water to wash away any residue from the cleaning agents.
3. Pay attention to the drain
Mix one-half cup of white distilled vinegar and half a cup of baking soda. Stir and pour into the drain and leave it for a few minutes. It will soften the clog so water can flow out better. After a few minutes, pour hot water to flush out the clog and other debris.
4. Clean the tub
Apply the all-purpose cleaner or the tub cleaner all over the surface of the tub. Leave the cleaner on for about five to seven minutes to allow the solution to soak through the grime. Start washing the bathtub from top to bottom. Use a small brush to scrub off soap scum, and use a cleanser and scrub brush to remove the stained ring inside the tub. Rinse the washed area with clean water immediately to remove cleanser residue.
Move to the corners of the tub that meet the walls and do the same.
5. Rinse and wipe dry
Rinse the entire area once again and dry the area and the entire bathtub with a clean towel. If you have a freestanding bath, see to it that you also clean the area around the tub to remove limescale and water stains.
To make it easier to clean your bathtub thoroughly, give it a good rinse after each use. Use a squeegee or a clean microfibre towel to remove excess moisture, which will help prevent the build-up of grime, soap scum and mildew.
