Making Bathtime Memories (and a Sparkling Clean Tub)
Bathtime yields some of the most treasured memories in life. Whether it’s bubble-bath spilling disasters or children’s imaginative « spicy drink » concoctions, these playful and funny moments are memories we look back on nostalgically in years to come.
Naturally, you want your children’s bathtime environment to be sanitary and also aesthetically clean. That’s why bathtub stains are so upsetting—they appear unclean and hard to remove.
Master Bathtub Cleaning Guide
Below are the most common bathtub stains and their best removal methods. Before you begin, identify your stain type for best results. Important: Do not mix different cleaning products, and rinse thoroughly between steps.
Preparation Steps
Prior to beginning, clear the tub of all bath toys and personal products. Take this chance to clean out those bath toys also. Provide good ventilation by opening windows and operating the exhaust fan.
Soap Scum Removal
Soap scum is what is formed when soap residue mixes with hard water minerals to create a notoriously challenging buildup to remove. Here is how to get rid of it efficiently:
Make 50/50 solution of distilled white vinegar and water
Spray onto tub areas affected
Let the solution sit for 15 minutes (longer is better)
Wash stains with a paste of baking soda and water
Alternately, use Dawn Powerwash, which works well at penetrating soap scum. The foam type makes it possible to have longer contact with the buildup.
After using either technique, thoroughly rinse out the bathtub.
Yellow and Brown Stains (Hard Water Deposits)
These are hard water mineral deposit stains and tend to be stubborn. White vinegar is still the old stand-by solution for bathtub hard water stains. This is the cleaning technique:
Method 1:
Apply white vinegar directly to stains, or soak rags/towels in vinegar and place over stained areas
Let stand for 15 minutes to an hour
Rinse well
Method 2:
If stains persist, create a paste of baking soda, put on stains, and carefully scrub.
Method 3:
Hard water stains work very well with hydrogen peroxide also. Danger: Never mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. If both methods are used, rinse well between tries.
Spray hydrogen peroxide and water solution on stains
Let sit 15 minutes dwell time
Rinse thoroughly
Pink Stains (Bacterial Biofilm)
Pink discoloration of bathtubs results from bacterial growth that needs to be eliminated for sanitary purposes. Do the following:
Use a general-purpose cleaner such as Simple Green. Spray stains, let stand for several minutes, then wipe with microfiber cloth
For tough stains, use a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. Let sit, then scrub or wipe once more
Red Stains (Rust)
Reddish stains indicate rust and require special care depending on your tub material.
For porcelain and ceramic tubs: Use pumice stone for rust removal. Alternatively, squeeze lemon juice and add salt—the acid picks up stains and the salt possesses gentle abrasive qualities.
For acrylic or fiberglass tubs: Avoid abrasive methods that can scratch the surface. First use distilled white vinegar, then a mild baking soda paste to safely remove stains.
Black Stains (Mold)
Black staining is typically due to mold growth and must be treated immediately. Apply distilled white vinegar and let stand for one hour and then rinse. Mix baking soda, make a paste, and put on the stained area, and then brush or scour with a scouring pad and then rinse. Baking soda and vinegar are both okay to use on all bathtub materials.
For particularly stubborn mold stains, attempt using a bleach-based tub cleaner for more intensive treatment.
