How to clean a bathtub without scratching it

To clean a bathtub, clear the ledge, spray the whole tub with equal parts warm white vinegar and dish soap, and let it sit 15 to 20 minutes. Wipe it down with a soft, non-scratch sponge, working the bottom last, rinse with clean water, and dry the tub with a towel.

That works on acrylic, fiberglass and enamel tubs. What you should not use depends on what your tub is made of, so check that first.

What is your tub made of?

• Acrylic and fiberglass. Light, slightly warm to the touch, and they flex a little if you press the side. They scratch easily. No scouring pads, no powdered cleansers, no hard scrubbing.
• Porcelain enamel on steel or cast iron. Hard, cold and heavy. The glossy coating can chip or dull with harsh abrasives, and harsh acids left sitting can etch older enamel.
• Stone resin or cultured marble. Smooth and solid. Treat it gently, like stone. Mild soap and water, and check the manufacturer's care guide before using vinegar.

If you're unsure, use the gentle method and skip anything abrasive. You can always step up.

What do you need?

• White vinegar
• Dish soap
• A spray bottle
• Baking soda
• A soft non-scratch sponge or cloth
• An old toothbrush
• A towel or microfiber cloth
• Rubber gloves

How do you clean a bathtub step by step?

1. Clear the ledge. Move every bottle and razor. Wipe the bottoms, too. They leave sticky rings that hold soap scum.
2. Mix the cleaner. Warm a cup of white vinegar, then pour it into the spray bottle with a cup of dish soap and shake gently. Warm vinegar mixes better and cuts soap scum faster.
3. Spray everything. The walls of the tub, the ledge, the sides, the bottom and the fixtures. Work from the top down.
4. Wait. Give it 15 to 20 minutes on a tub with a ring or heavy film. For a stubborn ring, soak a cloth in the mix and lay it along the line while you wait.
5. Wipe and scrub. Use the soft sponge in small circles. Do the bottom last, because everything else drips onto it. Use the toothbrush around the drain and the faucet base.
6. Rinse well. Leftover soap leaves a film. A handheld sprayer or a cup and warm water both work.
7. Dry it. Towel the tub and fixtures dry. Drying is what keeps water spots off.

A tub that gets cleaned every week takes 10 to 15 minutes, plus the wait.

How do you get stains out of a bathtub?

• Soap scum ring: the vinegar and dish soap soak above, given more time.
• Hard water marks: straight white vinegar on a cloth, left 10 minutes, then rinsed. Not on cultured marble or stone resin.
• Stuck grime on enamel: a baking soda paste, rubbed gently with a sponge, then rinsed.
• Rust spots on enamel: a paste of baking soda and a little lemon juice, left a few minutes and rinsed. Rust from a chip comes back until the chip is repaired.

What about the caulk and tile around the tub?

For a tiled surround, scrub the grout lines with a baking soda paste and a nylon brush. See how to clean tile grout for stains.

Caulk along the tub edge often gets dark spots. Surface mildew comes off with a mild bleach solution on a cloth, left a few minutes and rinsed, with the fan on. If the black is under the caulk, cleaning won't reach it. The caulk has to be cut out and replaced. Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia. Rinse the vinegar cleaner off completely before any bleach touches the tub.

How do you keep the drain running?

Pull the stopper or cover, wear gloves, and lift out the hair with a drain snake or a bent wire. Pour a kettle of hot water down after. Doing this every few weeks keeps the tub draining fast, which also means less standing water and less ring.

For the shower above the tub, see how to clean a shower properly.

What a house cleaning covers

Standard House Cleaning, RoutineCare, cleans the tub, shower and tiled walls, and the bathroom fixtures and drains.

On Deep Cleaning, PureRenewal, the tub, shower and tiled walls are scrubbed with the soap scum and grout treated, and the fixtures and drains are descaled and polished. Every item on the list is cleaned whether or not it looks like it needs it.

Mold and mildew remediation beyond surface cleaning isn't on any of our cleaning checklists.

FAQ

What is a good homemade bathtub cleaner? Equal parts warm white vinegar and dish soap in a spray bottle cuts soap scum and body oil on acrylic, fiberglass and enamel tubs. Let it sit 15 to 20 minutes on heavy buildup, then wipe with a soft sponge and rinse.

How do I get a ring out of my bathtub? Spray the ring with the vinegar and dish soap mix, lay a cloth soaked in it over the line, and leave it 20 minutes. Then rub with a soft sponge, or a baking soda paste on enamel, and rinse.

Can I use baking soda on an acrylic tub? As a paste with dish soap, rubbed gently with a soft sponge, it's fine for spot cleaning. Don't scrub hard or use powdered abrasives or scouring pads, which leave fine scratches on acrylic and fiberglass.

How often should a bathtub be cleaned? Weekly if it's used every day, and at least monthly if it's a spare. Rinsing and wiping the tub after each bath keeps the ring from forming.

Does a house cleaning include the bathtub? Yes. Standard House Cleaning cleans the tub, shower and tiled walls. Deep Cleaning scrubs them, with the soap scum and grout treated.

Book a cleaning

We clean homes across South Jersey and Central Jersey. Book online at tinascleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (609) 831-4455.