The bathtub should be a place of cleanliness, but keeping it so can sometimes be a chore.
Read on for our top 5 bath cleaning tips – from killing mould to how to clean bathtub and faucet stains – so you can get the job done quickly.
The bathtub should be a place of cleanliness, but keeping it so can sometimes be a chore.
Read on for our top 5 bath cleaning tips – from killing mould to how to clean bathtub and faucet stains – so you can get the job done quickly.
There are three main types of bathtub and the method for cleaning the bath is different in each case. The first thing to do is to find out what type you have: porcelain, enamel, or acrylic?
Made of very hard clay, porcelain baths are the most hard-wearing and, consequently, the easiest to clean. Most standard cleaners will do –we recommend Cif Cream Cleaner to remove grime easily.
Enamel bathtubs have a metal base with a layer of glass over the top. Though this glass (enamel) is hard, it isn’t totally immune to scratching. Additionally, corrosive cleaners can work their way to the metal base and badly damage it if you’re not careful.
If you need to know to remove stains in an enamel bathtub then a mild cream cleaner should be sufficient. Just make sure you don't use anything too rough like abrasive powder or a scouring pad. For extremely stubborn stains you can dilute 5ml of trisodium phosphates in 1l of water. Be careful as it is very powerful. Wear heavy gloves and don’t let it mix with other cleaners. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Acrylic baths are made of plastic and are therefore the most delicate of all. Scouring pads and abrasive cleaners should be avoided: a cream cleaner and a soft cloth are preferred instead. It’s a good idea to clean acrylic baths regularly so that hard scrubbing is never needed!
Taps, or faucets, can be easily overlooked when cleaning bathtubs. Giving them a little attention is an easy way to lift the whole appearance.
Always wear gloves, keep the room well ventilated while cleaning and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
If allowed to build-up, soap scum can prove near-impossible to remove. It’s best to prevent it entirely with regular cleaning with something mild like Cif Cream. If you’re stuck trying to remove old stains, strong ammonia can help to shift it. This is very powerful, so wear protection and read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Since rainwater is naturally slightly acidic, it can dissolve minerals which then end up in the water supply and, eventually, your bath. This flaky residue can be pretty unattractive, but don’t worry: mild acid can help to remove it. A little lemon juice should be all you need.
If you own a fitted bath, a nasty ring of mould can grow on the sealant. Wiping with a diluted solution of Domex should be enough to remove it (be careful if your bath is enamel). If there is a lot of mould, it might be a sign that your sealant is trapping water and should be replaced.
Originally published