Extra power may be needed to get rid of those stains left behind by hard water. The Cleaner Hard Water Stain Remover from Bring It On contains potent oxygen bleach, which, unlike chlorine bleach, is nontoxic, so it’s safe to use around children and animals. Apply the product to the desired surface, leave it on for a few minutes so it can penetrate the hard water stains, then brush by hand or with the company’s drill brush (sold separately) and rinse.
Pros:
- Designed to remove hard water stains
- Safe to use around children and pets
- Also works on calcium, mineral and rust stains
Cons:
- Not recommended for marble or acrylic
When it comes to the best commercial bathtub cleaner with no harsh chemicals, look no further than Better Life Natural Tub and Tile Cleaner. This plant-based option will leave your bathtub sparkling clean and smelling fresh while not polluting the planet. It’s safe for all tub materials, including ceramic, porcelain, stainless steel, fiberglass and acrylic. This natural cleaner can also be used on tile, grout and shower curtains. “This gets rid of bathtub rings in seconds—it’s a super-powerful cleaner and is eco-friendly,” writes Amazon reviewer Kirta65.
Pros:
- Doesn’t contain harsh chemicals
- Plant-based and not tested on animals
- Works on most bathtub materials
Cons:
- Tea Tree & Eucalyptus scent not for everyone
If leaning over your dream bathtub and scrubbing isn’t your style, a daily spray cleaner is the best option to cut down on how often deep cleaning is needed. The Daily Shower Spray Cleaner from Method will keep your bathtub shining with just a few sprays after a bath or shower. Plus, there’s no scrubbing or rinsing required.
Pros:
- Plant-based and safe to use every day
- Doesn’t need to be scrubbed or rinsed off
- Bottle made from recycled plastic
Cons:
- Not for heavy cleaning
- Can leave water spots on glass doors
FAQs
How often should you clean your bathtub?
Just because you come out clean, that doesn’t mean your bathtub is clean. If you’re asking yourself how often a bathtub should be cleaned, the answer depends on how often it’s being used.
“If it’s not a tub that is used often, it could be cleaned every few months. If it’s one of the tubs you use most often, either once or twice a month will do,” notes Fiedler. “The important thing is keeping up with the buildup! Once you’ve given it a good deep cleaning, keeping it up with regular maintenance cleanings is what is important.”
How can you tell whether your bathtub is porcelain or acrylic?
Not sure what your bathtub is made of? There are a few little tricks you can do to get the answer. Try pressing on the side of the tub. If it has a little give, it’s likely fiberglass or acrylic, as these materials flex under pressure. Porcelain tubs are prone to chips and cracks, so any chipping or cracking is a tell-tale sign of porcelain. Also, if you hold a magnet to the side and it falls, it’s porcelain, not cast iron or steel.
Can you bleach your bathtub?
If a bathtub is especially stained or dirty, you can use bleach if the tub is made of fiberglass or white porcelain. Most manufacturers don’t recommend using bleach on acrylic bathtubs, as it can be damaging. Bleach can also discolor some colored bathtubs.
How do you remove stubborn stains from a bathtub?
For stubborn bathtub stains, there are a few ways to get a tub looking like new again. You’ll need an eraser or melamine sponge and a spray bottle. Depending on the stain’s color, it’ll require baking soda, a dry abrasive cleaner, hydrogen peroxide and/or white vinegar.
If the stain is yellow, spray some vinegar on the surface, wait 20 minutes, wipe away with a sponge and rinse.
For red or black stains, mix of two parts baking soda and one part hydrogen peroxide into a paste. Apply the paste and let it sit for 30 minutes. Scrub with a sponge to remove the stain and rinse. Don’t use this method in an acrylic tub, as it can cause scratches.
Use an abrasive cleaner for rust-colored and blue-green stains. If it’s an acrylic tub, just use vinegar. For rust-colored stains caused by hard water, you can also make a paste with equal parts cleanser powder and water. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes. Scrub with a wet sponge and hot water. Then rinse with hot water. Ta-da! Good as new.
