Cleaning your bathtub is a pain. First you have to find the perfect cleaning solution and then you have to contort yourself into impossible positions in order to scrub every inch of the tub. There's got to be an easier way, right?
In fact, there are several simpler options for cleaning the grime out of your bathtub. If you want a no-scrub solution or something you can store for later uses, we've got those and everything in between. So check out these tips and decide which one works best for your bathtub. And after you finish cleaning it, you can reward yourself with a relaxing bubble bath. (Although, then you might have to clean it again, so maybe don't relax for too long.)
1. Dish soap & vinegar Probably the easiest way to clean your bathtub is with a half-and-half solution of dish soap and vinegar. Mix them in a spray bottle and spray generously throughout your tub. Leave it alone for about an hour and then wipe away the solution with a damp rag. It should remove all of the grime with no scrubbing required.
2. Dish soap, vinegar & borax If you're dealing with a tub that's covered in rust spots or lime deposits, then you're going to have to step up your game. Put 1 tablespoon of borax into a spray bottle, followed by 2 cups of vinegar. Top it off with 1 teaspoon of dish soap and shake until everything is combined. Spray this combination all over the tub, especially on the stained areas and let it set for at least half an hour. When you come back to it, use a sponge to scrub everything clean.
3. Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide & dish soap Another fairly simple homemade cleaning product consists of 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon dish soap. Mix the ingredients, pour them into the tub, let everything settle for a few minutes and then wipe it clean. This one might require some light scrubbing, but only if you're starting with a pretty dirty tub.
4. Chlorine Some tubs appear to be almost beyond saving. This is often the case when you first move into a house that wasn't kept up well by the previous owners. When this happens, you might have to bring in something heavier than natural cleaning solutions. One sure way to fight through any kind of stains in your tub is to stop up the drain and pour in some chlorine. Make sure you pour it over every surface in the tub, including the sides. Leave it for 40 minutes and then rinse with hot water. Make sure you open your windows or doors with this one!
5. Lysol toilet bowl cleaner It might seem weird to pour toilet bowl cleaner into your bathtub, but sometimes you have to try new things if you want better results. And if you happen to have an overabundance of rust stains around your faucet, then Lysol toilet bowl cleaner is your best option. Just pour it over the stains and scrub with a sponge until the stains are gone.
6. Dry scrub If you want a tub cleaner that you can make in bulk and store for an extended period of time, then a dry scrub might be what you're looking for. Mix 1 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of salt, 10 drops of orange essential oil and 5 drops of lavender essential oil. Store this combination in an airtight glass container. Anytime you need to clean your tub, just sprinkle in a thin layer of the dry scrub and use a wet sponge to scrub it in. When you're finished, rinse it all down the drain.
