Audrey
Everyone looks forward to a relaxing bath after a long day. Nothing rejuvenates your soul more than a fresh bath in a clean and organized bathroom. While most people opt for bathtubs, they do not know how to maintain them.
The reputation of bathtubs is notorious when it comes to their maintenance. However, cleaning or maintaining it is an easy task.
Before jumping to cleaning solutions containing harsh chemicals, consider safer alternatives. Every bathtub is different and how to clean it depends on its material.
The Basics of Cleaning Your Bathtub
Different equipment and chemicals work on specific materials. Once you know this, maintaining your bathtub will no longer be a hassle. Here are some tips that will allow you to create a routine for cleaning your bathtub.
1. Empty the Bathtub
Before you start cleaning the bathtub, ensure that you tidy it up first. With a lot of products lying around, it will be difficult to get started with the process. Empty all the contents and make space for cleaning.
Store them in a safe place, from shampoo bottles and loofahs to other bath accessories like non slip bath mats. While you remove these products, you will notice how there are residues of products in the bathtub. There may be leaky bottles of shampoos or conditioners that leave behind a sticky texture. To properly clean every inch of the bathtub, this is the very first step you need to follow.
2. Rinse and use Baking Soda
Take some hot water to rinse the bathtub. Hot water creates moisture which extracts debris of filth from the bathtub. Once it is done, flush the water.
Next, take a generous amount of baking soda and put it all over the bathtub. Do not forget the faucets and drains. If you find the bathtub extremely dirty and think baking soda will not work in this case, opt for a bathtub cleaner. Follow the instructions of the product to clean the bathtub.
3. Rub and Scrub
Take a bucket that is half full of lukewarm water. Take a few drops of mild dish soap and add to this. Once this soapy combination is ready, it is time to scrub the dirt away.
Take a sponge, dip it in this mixture, and use it on the bathtub. This cleaning solution may get finished midway if your bathtub is too dirty. You can always quickly prepare it and continue with the process.
Remember that vigorous cleaning is important, and you need to scrub the bathtub nicely to make it shine. Take your time with this process and see how your bathtub looks as good as new. Ensure that you throw away the soap scum, as it will harden again in the bathtub if left untreated.
4. Sanitization is Essential
For this step, use a mild and diluted bleach mixture or opt for a homemade bleach solution. Whatever you are using, it should not be too harsh. Take the spray bottle and be generous with sprinkling the solution on the bathtub. Turn on the fans in your bathroom for this step. This will get rid of any of the mould or germs that are present in the bathtub.
5. Clean it up!
The final step is to clean the faucets with a cleaning solution. Use a cloth for this and pay attention to the corners. Let the bathtub dry and give it a final sweep with a clean and damp cloth. Use this cloth to clean the other elements of the bathtub and make them shine instantly.
How to Clean the Bathtub (Material specific)
Porcelain Enameled Steel
This material is an affordable alternative, but it is quite heavy compared to other options. While this material is easy to clean, harsh chemicals will chip off the surface.
To clean this, you need to opt for mild soap-based cleansers. Scrubbing white vinegar is not a good option for this material.
Acrylic Bathtubs
Acrylic material is one of the most famous materials for bathtubs because of its durability, adaptability and cost-effectiveness. The only downside of this material is that it is prone to scratches.
While scrubbing the bathtub, you must use a good-quality sponge and ensure that is soft.
Fiberglass Bathtub
While fiberglass is cost-effective, it may score fewer marks in the durability department. While cleaning the bathtub, one needs to be careful as the material is less strong than other alternatives.
To maintain the finish of fiberglass bathtub, use mild cleaners and go easy on scrubbing.
Enameled Cast Iron
Enameled cast iron is on the expensive side of materials but its quality remains unmatched. It is known for its lasting durability and strength.
While the material is chip and scratch resistant, it will have its shine if you avoid using toxic chemicals on the surface.
Cast Polymers
Since they are hard surface elements, be careful with scratches and scrapes. Besides that, the material is long-lasting and will look shimmery after cleaning it.
Tips for Maintaining your Bathtub
Here are a few tips that you can follow to maintain your bathtub:
- Rinse the bathtub after every use. It will take less time and will increase the life span of the bathtub.
- Use a gentle cleanser spray once every week and scrub the dirt.
- Clean out the jets properly once every month to improve their appearance and enhance their functionality.
- Use the scrub and baking soda combination for cleaning the bathtub every month.
- Do not leave stains or spots for too long. Clean them instantly to maintain the integrity of the material.
- Avoid oily or too glittery substances in bath water and opt for simpler products.
Final Words
Enjoy your relaxing baths and increase the life of your bathtub with these simple tips. Every bathtub needs maintenance, but you can make it hassle-free by regularly cleaning it. Be mindful of the products that you use in the bathtub.
Elevate your lifestyle and try out the above-mentioned solutions right away. Hopefully, these tips turn out effective for your day-to-day management. Lastly, I hope that you will get all the information you need to keep your bathtub looking fresh and clean after going through this article!
