A Quick Guide on How to Polish a Bathtub
How often do you clean the bathtub? Shockingly, the bathtub is an area people neglect to clean in the house. Some will assume that the bathtub is automatically cleaned when you rinse off your body or clothes. However, that does not qualify as cleaning since no brush or chemical is involved. There is a danger in not polishing your bathtub. According to SFGATE, if a bathtub is not cleaned regularly, it will gradually develop scratches and marks. The holes then fill up with debris culminating in a dirty bathtub. At this point, cleaning the bathtub will be more challenging. Fortunately, you can care for your bathroom before it becomes too filthy to clean. Here are the steps to follow when polishing different bathtub surfaces.
Supplies Needed
The supplies for your bathtub will depend on how filthy the tub is and the type of bathtub. As you read the article, you will understand when to use a certain item. Some of the items you should have include: a face mask, cleaning gloves, baking soda, lemon juice, scrub brush, bleach, cloth, and sponge.
Cleaning an Acrylic Bathtub
This bathtub is easy to clean since it does not require any chemicals or abrasive cleaners. All you need to do is clean it with soap and a nonabrasive cloth. Also, experts advise against using any chemical cleaners on acrylic bathtubs. According to The Bath Doctor X, the chemical cleaners can scratch and dull the surfaces of acrylic bathtubs. If you have to use anything else besides soap, you can use a solution containing dish soap, lemon juice, and baking soda. Before using the solution, shake it until it turns foamy. After that, coat the bathtub with the solution and wait for thirty minutes. Next, use a wet sponge to wipe off the solution. If you like, you can wet the sponge with baby shampoo. Finally, you can rinse the bathtub and dry it with a dry cloth. An optional step involves polishing the bathtub with a can of car wax. Ensure the bathtub is clean and dry before using car wax. Find a clean rag, apply car wax on it, and rub it the same way you would with a car.
Cleaning a Fiberglass Bathtub
Of all the bathtubs that need constant cleaning, it is this one. If not cleaned regularly, they easily develop stubborn stains. Since fiberglass is not as durable as other materials, it does not respond well to abrasive cleaners like bleach. According to Todd’s Bathtubs, abrasive cleaners weaken fiberglass’ surface, which then leads to cracks. The best household cleaner to use on fiberglass bathtubs is vinegar. Mix vinegar with water and include a teaspoon of lemon juice in the mixture for the scent. Spray the bathtub with the mixture and let it settle for twenty minutes. Next, lightly scrub the surface with a damp cloth. Other cleaning items you can use are hot water, dish soap, and baking soda. Mix the three components until you get a paste. Pour the mixture into the bathtub and wait for thirty minutes. Next, scrub off the mixture with a sponge and use cold water to rinse the tub. Lastly, use a paper towel to dry it.
Cleaning a Bathtub With Bleach
Bleach is safe to use on white porcelain and acrylic bath bathtubs. You should use bleach only if your bathtub has stubborn stains. Before using the bleach, ensure you wear a face mask or respirator, gloves, and safety glasses. Bleach is harmful if it gets into your body through any orifice. Bleach irritates your eyes, mouth, and throat. Pour half a cup of bleach into a gallon of water. Use the solution to coat the bathtub and wait for five minutes. Scrub the bathtub with a sponge and rinse the bathtub without splashing out the bleach.
Cleaning a Bathtub With Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew usually appear as black, red, green, or brown streaks. They are hard to scrub off, so you need an extra household cleaning item, gel toilet bowl cleaner. Mix the liquid with bleach to create a solution. The solution clings to the mold and then slowly disintegrates it. So, the first thing you should do is spray the mold or mildew with the solution. Mold can be difficult to clean if lodged in the bathtub’s corners. If you spray the toilet bowl cleaner on corners, it may spill instead of clinging to the mold. In such a case, you should cover the area with a paper towel after spraying the cleaning liquid. The paper towel will create a dam-like figure, hence retaining the liquid. You do not need to use a paper towel for mold, not on corners. Depending on the severity of the mold, you may need to let the mixture soak on them for one hour or even a day. After confirming that the mixture is completely soaked in the mold, scrub it off with a brush. Rinse the area with cold water and ensure the mixture does not splash on you since it contains bleach. Although gel toilet bowl cleaner is effective, you can still get rid of mold without using it. You can instead use hot water, bleach, and baking soda. First, mix the hot water with bleach and spray it on the mold. While the mixture soaks on the mold, you can spread baking powder on the bathtub to prevent more mold buildup. Lastly, scrub the bathtub and rinse with hot water.
Conclusion
The best way to care for your bathtub is by cleaning it regularly. You do not have to let stains build up on your bathtub for you to clean it. Remember, stubborn stains are tough to clean. Sometimes, it may take you days to clean it. Meanwhile, other people in the house will not be able to use the bathtub since they will have to wait for it to be clean. For a clean bathtub, you should make cleaning it a regular house chore. It is better to clean a slightly filthy bathtub than a bathtub with stubborn stains.
