How to clean a bathtub, whatever it's made of
To clean a bathtub, rinse it with warm water, spray a cleaner that suits the tub's material, and give it a few minutes to work. Scrub with a non-scratch sponge, paying attention to the waterline and the floor of the tub, then rinse and dry it. Do this once a week and the job stays short, because soap scum doesn't get the chance to build up.
The material matters more than the cleaner. Acrylic, fiberglass and enamel-on-cast-iron each scratch or dull in their own way.
What do you need?
- A non-scratch sponge and a soft brush
- Warm water and dish soap
- Baking soda
- A bathroom cleaner labeled for your tub's material
- Rubber gloves
- A kneeling pad or a folded towel
- Microfiber cloths and a dry towel
Open the window or run the fan while you work.
What kind of tub do you have?
- Acrylic or fiberglass: light, a little warm to the touch, sounds hollow when you knock. Soft cleaners only. Abrasive powders and scouring pads leave fine scratches that hold dirt.
- Enamel on cast iron or steel: heavy, cold, sounds solid. The enamel is tough but can chip, and acids can etch it over time.
- Stone or cultured marble: skip vinegar and anything acidic. Use a cleaner made for stone.
If you're not sure, treat it like acrylic.
How do you clean a bathtub, step by step?
- Clear it out. Take out bottles, toys and the bath mat.
- Rinse. Run warm water over the whole tub, walls of the tub included, to loosen grime.
- Spray and wait. Coat the tub with your cleaner and leave it for the time on the label, usually a few minutes.
- Scrub. Work from the top edge down to the floor of the tub with the sponge. Give the waterline ring extra passes.
- Detail. Use a soft brush around the faucet, the overflow cover and the drain.
- Rinse well. Leftover cleaner leaves a film that catches the next round of scum.
- Dry. Wipe the tub with a towel.
How do you get rid of the bathtub ring?
Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp non-scratch sponge and scrub along the ring. If it's built up, spray warm water with a little dish soap first, let it sit ten minutes, then scrub. Dish soap cuts the body oil that holds a ring in place.
What about the caulk around the tub?
Spray a bathroom mildew cleaner on the caulk line, let it sit for the time on the label, scrub with a soft brush and rinse. If the caulk is peeling, cracked or stays dark after cleaning, the mildew is underneath, and the fix is to cut it out and recaulk. That's a repair job, not a cleaning one.
The tile and grout above the tub have their own guides: our tile guide and grout guide.
How do you keep a tub clean longer?
- Rinse the tub after each bath while it's still warm.
- Wipe it dry, or at least squeegee the walls of the tub.
- Run the fan during baths and for about 20 minutes after.
- Store bottles on a caddy, not on the tub edge, so they don't leave rings.
Want the bathroom deep cleaned?
Book Deep Cleaning online. If the tub is a priority, ask about it when you book and put it in your booking notes.
FAQ
How do you clean a bathtub? Rinse the tub with warm water, spray a cleaner that suits the tub's material, and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub with a non-scratch sponge, rinse well and dry it with a towel so water spots don't form.
How do you get a ring out of a bathtub? Sprinkle baking soda on a damp non-scratch sponge and scrub along the ring. For a stubborn ring, spray a little dish soap and warm water first and let it soften for ten minutes before you scrub.
Can you use bleach on an acrylic tub? Check the tub maker's care instructions first, because harsh cleaners can dull acrylic. Mild dish soap, baking soda or a cleaner labeled safe for acrylic is the safer choice, with a soft sponge, never a scouring pad.
How often should you clean the bathtub? Give it a quick rinse and wipe after baths and a full scrub once a week. A tub used every day by kids or for long baths may need a scrub twice a week.
Book a cleaning
Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.
