Bathtubs can have a porcelain and enamel finish, and most toilet bowls are made of porcelain. Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that toilet bowl cleaners can be used on bathtubs. So, in this article I will explain whether toilet bowl cleaners are safe to use on the different types of bathtubs.
Overall, you should not use toilet bowl cleaner on a bathtub. The main reason is most popular toilet bowl cleaners contain bleach. Bleach is not recommended to be used on the 4 different types of materials bathtubs are made of, fiberglass, porcelain – enamel, enamel coated cast iron, and acrylic.
Here’s a table that shows some of the most popular toilet bowl cleaners, and whether they contain bleach or not:
| Toilet bowl cleaner | Does it contain bleach? |
| Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner | Contains bleach |
| Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner | Contains bleach |
| Mr Muscle Toilet Bowl Cleaner | Contains bleach |
Below, I will cover the best things to use to clean a bathtub, step by step instructions for how to clean a bathtub, and how to clean a bathtub without scrubbing.
What Is the Best Thing To Clean a Bathtub
There are many different cleaners out there, however, using the right cleaner for the right job means you can clean a bathtub with the least amount of effort. Below are the best things to use to clean a bathtub.
As a general rule, regular dish soap will remove most grime and dirt. But, for particularly stubborn stains use a non-abrasive cleaner. Some good options are CLR Bath and Kitchen Cleaner, Power Bathroom Cleaner, Formula 409 All-purpose Cleaner, and Soft Scrub All purpose Cleaner.
According to Home Depot, a non-abrasive cleaner such as those listed above, and a bit of lemon juice will remove all grime and dirt from a bathtub. And return it to looking like new again.
However, if it doesn’t come off on the first pass then apply the cleaner to the surface, and leave it on the surface for 1 hour. Doing so will allow the cleaner to soften the grime making it come off much easier. Depending how thick the grime is, you may need to allow the cleaner to soak a few times.
Below is the full method for how to clean a bathtub very well. It’s important not to use abrasive brushes to clean a bathtub.
Some people are of the opinion that you can use a scouring pad to clean a bathtub. However, according to the National Association of Realtors, you should not use abrasive scrubbing pads on a bathtub. This includes the rough scrub pad that is common on one side of a sponge.
Below is a list of the things you will need to clean a bathtub:
- Baking soda
- Microfiber cloth
- Latex gloves
- Vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Non-abrasive cleaner – such as CLR Bath and Kitchen Cleaner, or Power Bathroom Cleaner
- Dish soap
- Small cleaning brush
- Sponge
The general procedure for cleaning a bathtub very well is to:
- Wipe the area down with a sponge and dish soap
- If there is still grime remaining use a non-abrasive cleaner and a sponge
- If there are grout tiles, and grime stuck in tight areas use a solution of baking soda and vinegar and a small soft plastic bristled brush to scrub them.
- Dry the bath using a microfiber cloth
If the water drains slowly, you should try to clear the blockage by pouring half a cup of baking soda, and then half a cup of any type of vinegar. Leave it for a few minutes, and then pour hot but not boiling water down the drain.
The taps on a bathtub can have hard water deposits, or also have grime on them. The same method can be used to clean them as used to clean the tub. Some cleaners don’t remove hard water deposits.
CLR Bath and Kitchen Cleaner does remove hard water deposits. However, if you have any other type of cleaner then use any type of vinegar. Vinegar works extremely well to remove hard water deposits.
A good method is to dampen a cloth with vinegar and wrap it around the taps. Then let it sit for about 30 mins to an hour to work on the hard water deposits. After that, they will wipe right off.
How Do You Get a Bathtub White Again
A bathtub that is perfectly clean is white in color provided it isn’t sun damaged, or has been damaged by a cleaner that should not have been used on a bathtub. Over time, a bathtub accumulates grime and dirt that changes its color. Below is how to make a dirty bathtub white again.
Overall, use a non-abrasive cleaner mixed with lemon juice. Examples are CLR Bath and Kitchen Cleaner, and Power Bathroom Cleaner. Use a sponge only, and don’t use the scrub-pad side of a sponge. If it doesn’t become white, reapply the cleaner but let it sit for 1 hour before wiping it off.
After one pass with a sponge, and dish soap or a non-abrasive cleaner, your bathtub should be white again. However, it doesn’t then let the cleaner you are using soak on the area for an hour.
Some grime can be very thick and dry which causes it to be very difficult to remove after just one wipe with a cleaner, and therefore, the soaking method is required.
How Do You Clean a Dirty Bathtub Without Scrubbing
Grime on a bathtub can get mixed with soap and become very hardened. Other types of dirt and grime can also be persistent and won’t come off easily. However, scrubbing is hard work, and can damage a bathtub, so this is how to clean a dirt bathtub without scrubbing.
In general, use dish soap first and a sponge. If that doesn’t remove all of the dirt, then use a non-abrasive cleaner that does not contain bleach, such as CLR Bath and Kitchen Cleaner. If it requires scrubbing after that, allow the cleaner to soak on the dirty areas for 1 hour first before wiping.
Sponges are good to use. But, it’s common for brushes to have a scouring pad on one side. A scouring pad of this type is too harsh for a bathtub.
The sponge side only, a sponge, or a cloth is sufficient to clean a bathtub perfectly provided the right cleaners are used.
Amos Christen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Drexel University — Philadelphia, PA. Since 2003, Amos has worked with top interior design professionals in this area, including architects and interior/graphic/lighting designers. As a skilled interior designer, Amos Christen is highly versed in fine arts and crafts and uses that to supplement his main area of expertise. He often publishes articles related to home décor on several websites, including Sprucetoilets.com, Sprucebathroom.com, and Mybesuitedhome.com. He also contributes to leading interior design magazines.