bathtub stains

How to Get Rid of Bathtub Stains

Around half of the Americans surveyed in 2019 said they have a bath at least once per week, with 54% of those wishing they had time to use their bath more often. 

And while baths are great for relaxing and de-stressing, they can leave your tub with stains. Unfortunately, bathtub stains result from the substances in your bath water or from the soaps you use. 

But don’t worry, they’re normal. And even better, they’re easy to get rid of! You just need to know what you’re doing. 

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to remove bathtub stains! And if after this you’ve still got any confusion, we can help you out!

Step 1: Consider Your Bathtub’s Material

Different bathtub materials have different rules about how to clean them. It’s important to follow these rules so you don’t damage the tub. There are three popular bathtub materials. 

Porcelain tubs are made from heavy materials like iron, glass, steel, or tile, and coated in porcelain. The porcelain coating means the tub is resilient against chemicals, but rust is a problem to watch out for. 

Enamel tubs are made from porcelain enamel that is bonded to a steel base. Harsh chemicals can wear down the enamel coating, so it’s best to avoid those. 

Acrylic tubs are made from layers of acrylic and reinforced with fiberglass. Acetone-based cleaners are dangerous for these types of tubs, so stick with mild cleaners and soft sponges. 

Step 2: Identify the Type of Stain

There are a few common bathtub stains. These treatments should work regardless of the tub material but always keep it in mind to make sure you’re not damaging the tub. 

Soap Scum

Soapy water can leave behind a hard residue called soap scum.

Create a paste made of Borax and lemon juice. Make the paste a bit thinner if you’ve got a sensitive bathtub material like porcelain. 

Leave the paste on the soap scum for about 10 minutes, then scrub it off with a soft cloth. Rinse well afterward.

Rust

Mix hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar into a creamy paste. Place this on the rust stains for 10 minutes.

Using a nylon brush, gently scrub at the rust stain to loosen the rust. Using circular motions is most effective. Rinse the tub and repeat the process if there is still rust remaining. 

Hard Water Stains

Hard water stains result from minerals in the water. These can be tricky because different minerals lead to slightly different stains. The best solution is to use a commercial bathtub cleaner. 

Follow the instructions according to the packaging. Remember to check that it’ll work on your bathtub material. 

Step 3: Maintenance

As long as you’re cleaning your bathtub regularly, you should be able to keep the tub stains away.

Most bathtub materials will survive if you use gentle cleaning agents like dish soap and soft sponges. 

Remove Those Ugly Bathtub Stains

Bathtub stains are an eyesore in your bathroom. But if you follow these steps, you should get rid of those tough stains in no time!

If you don’t want to worry about cleaning the stains yourself, that’s where we come in! Contact us for all your professional home cleaning needs. 

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