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After a stressful day, one of the ultimate forms of relaxation is lighting some candles, grabbing a good book and laying back in a bathtub full of floral scented bubbles to soak away your cares.
One thing that can put a major delay on that relaxation time, however, is a ring of dirt and grime that encircles the bathtub. Yuck!
Today, we will be learning a bit more about how those gross rings appear and how to avoid them in the first place.
We will also be taking a look at the best bathtub cleaner reviews and discussing how to safely clean your bathtub no matter what material it is made from.
Keep reading to learn more!
Dirty Bathtub Rings
Contents
Our bathtubs get a lot of daily use. We bathe our dogs in them. We pop our children in them after they have played in the mud all afternoon. We soak and clean large items in them – it’s so much easier to clean blinds this way! We take our daily showers in our bathtub and shower combos.
All of this daily use helps to build up the unsightly dirt and grime we see in our bathtubs. Not only is all of this dirtiness an eyesore but it can also become a health hazard.
Our bodies and hair have natural oil which we wash off when we bathe. This oil from our bodies mixes with the soaps and oils from our shampoos, conditioners, soaps and other cleansing products when we bathe.
As we learned in elementary science class, oil and water do not mix. Therefore, this oily residue from our body oils and our cleansing products just sits on the water from our showers and baths. As the water washes down the drain, the oily residue is left behind and forms a scummy layer on the walls of the bathtub. Over time, this soap scum and oil builds more layers and creates a visible line or ring around the bathtub.
To prevent a dirty bathtub ring from forming in the first place, you need to wipe the tub down after each use. This will prevent the oil and soap scum from building up and making a ring around the sides of the bathtub.
You also need to be sure you are cleaning your bathtub on a regular basis just in case it starts to build up.
It is important to clean this dirty bathtub ring because not only is it dirty and foul looking, but the buildup of oil and soap scum can become slippery which could result in you falling in the tub.
Types Of Bathtub Material
There is no shortage of options when it comes to the material a bathtub can be made from.
Different materials have different requirements when it comes to cleaning them. Some bathtub materials are easy to clean and some you must be incredibly careful with to avoid an expensive accident.
If you don’t pay attention to what kind of material your bathtub is made from, not only will you have trouble getting the bathtub ring and other dirt and grime out of it, you also stand a high chance of damaging your tub in the process of trying.
- Porcelain: This type of bathtub is actually made from sheets of steel coated in porcelain enamel. It is a fairly common choice for bathtubs. It does have some faults, however. Porcelain tubs are easy to chip and once chipped, they rust quickly. Despite that, people still love porcelain tubs because they are affordable, durable and super-simple to clean
- Acrylic: This tub is manufactured with fiberglass-reinforced sheets of acrylic material. Acrylic bathtubs are inexpensive and long lasting though they can easily become damaged and you exercise caution when cleaning them
- Cast Iron: Made from molded iron coated with enamel, a cast iron tub is a higher end option with the only notable disadvantage the fact it’s extremely heavy. If you can afford this type of bathtub, it’s well worth considering one. The enamel that coats a tub made from cast iron is very resistant to scratching and chipping, the tub itself is durable and it is fairly easy to clean to boot
- Fiberglass: Made up of different layers including polyester resin, fiberglass reinforcement and surface coat, fiberglass is yet another popular option among builders and homeowners when it comes to bathtub material. With very few downsides, a bathtub made from this material is very affordable and extremely easy to clean and take care of. When you come across a shower and tub combination, most of the time it will have been made from fiberglass material
- Jacuzzi: A jacuzzi tub is obviously not a material, rather it is an entirely different type of bathtub that has different cleaning and maintenance requirements than a traditional bathtub has. Because a jacuzzi tub has jets and nozzles, you cannot clean it in the same way you clean a regular bathtub. You will need to take special measures to ensure the longevity of your jacuzzi tub. More on this below in our final review…
Important Note
No matter what your tub is made from, there are some things you absolutely want to avoid when you tackle cleaning it…
- Never mix different cleaning products together. Combining certain chemicals in cleaners such as bleach and ammonia can burn your skin or even create toxic fumes that could be potentially deadly
- When using cleaning chemicals, always make sure that the window is open. If there is no window, turn on a fan to ventilate the room. Always wear gloves to protect your skin
- If you want to avoid accidental stains or discolorations of your clothes, be sure to wear old clothes. Any cleaner that contains bleach or peroxide can ruin your clothes, so don’t wear your Sunday best when scrubbing the bathtub!
- Do not use cleaners or scrubbing powders that are highly abrasive. Don’t use steel wool or metal brushes either. These cleaners and cleaning tools can scratch your bathtub leading to the material breaking down or creating areas where rust can develop
- When you are through cleaning the bathtub, be sure that you rinse it and wipe it down thoroughly. You do not want to leave any residue behind from the cleaning supplies or you will be right back where you started
How Often To Clean Your Bathtub
Now that you know all of this, how often should you give your bathtub a good scrubbing anyway?
Well, making sure to wipe your bathtub down after every use will help to prevent the oil and soap scum buildup that allows a dirty bathtub ring to develop but it won’t alleviate all the problems that can develop behind the curtain.
Once the curtains or doors close on your bathtub, you create a damp and dark place where germs love to hide. This is also a perfect environment for mold and mildew to develop. Not only will all of this allow for dirtiness and grime but it can also make you and your family sick.
To prevent this, there are a few things you can do…
- When you are finished with your bath or shower, leave the curtain or door open for a bit to let some of the water evaporate. Turn on the fan or open a window to help this process along
- At least once a week, give your bathtub a good wipe down with a natural cleaner like vinegar or a good do-it-yourself cleanser
- Be sure you are also cleaning the grout or caulk. These areas are especially prone to mildew and mold
- A couple times a month, give your bathtub a good scrubbing with a cleaner from our list of recommendations below
Do-It-Yourself Bathtub Cleaner Options
Did you know that there is a powerful natural cleaner that has been used for hundreds of years, and you probably have some in your kitchen cabinets right now?
That’s right – good old white vinegar. Vinegar is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to cleaning messes, and it works fabulously for cleaning of bathtubs. Cutting through the dirt and grime, vinegar is a lifesaver for a daily wipe down or as an easy do-it-yourself option when you don’t have time to get to the store. Give this simple solution a try and you might be pleasantly surprised.
Fill a spray bottle with some vinegar and warm water, spray your bathtub and wipe it down. You will be amazed at the results.
To make this easy option work even better, just add an equal amount of dish soap to the bottle and it will cut through the soap scum and oil build-up in no time. Easy peasy.
Even though these are great methods for a weekly light cleaning, don’t neglect the cleaning of your bathtub with a cleaner that was made specifically for the job at hand. Vinegar works wonders but you still need to use a dedicated cleaner to truly get rid of the grim, mildew, mold and dirt that can ruin your bathtub.
Read on for 5 awesome products that will do precisely that…
Bathtub Cleaner Reviews
1. Mrs. Meyer’s Tub Cleaner
This tub cleaner from Mrs. Meyer’s promises to clean your bathtub without any harsh chemicals or solvents. With no formaldehyde, acid or bleach, it will deliver a clean, streak-free shine to your bathtub.
At least 99 percent of the ingredients in this cleaner are from plant sources making this cleaner perfectly safe, blissfully eco-friendly and non-toxic.
Mrs. Meyer’s Tub Cleaner promises to remove 4 times more soap scum than traditional bathtub cleaners and will leave your bathtub looking cleaner into the bargain.
There’s no need to scrub anything away with this cleaner, either. Just spray and wipe and let the ingredients in the formula do all the work for you.
This cleaner has a light lemon scent, which will leave your bathtub smelling fresh and clean.
Check some out today and enjoy a glimmering bathtub for your evening soak.
2. Rejuvenate Soap Scum Remover
We talked about how important it is to use a non-abrasive cleaner so that you don’t scratch the surface of your bathtub. Rejuvenate has brought a great non-abrasive scrubbing formula to the market and it delivers in fine style.
This cleansing spray is non-toxic and free of fragrances. It’s an outstanding, award-winning soap scum cleaner and has been rated as the best soap scum remover there is available.
This soap scum remover from Rejuvenate promises to give you a clean bathtub without you needing to scrub your hands away. Just spray and rinse the cleaner away and you will be left with a streak-free shine.
Easy to use and sure to please, give this Rejuvenate Soap Scum Remover a try today!
3. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Scrubber
The Mr. Clean brand is synonymous with, well…clean!
These Magic Eraser Bath Scrubbers have been a best-selling product from this highly reputable manufacturer for a while now and feedback from customers has been incredibly positive.
The Bath Scrubber’s “magic” is found in the sponge made from melamine. It has tiny little scrubbers and contains a foaming cleanser to scrub away the dirt and grime in your bathtub. It also has an angled edge to get into the corners most rags and wipes can’t reach.
Mr. Clean’s Bath Scrubber is different from their famous Magic Eraser in that is has a much larger scrubbing surface – 10% larger than the original, in fact. It’s also much more durable so you can scrub away at that soap scum without it falling apart.
Use the Mr. Clean Bath Scrubber to remove up to three times the soap scum you can clean away with a regular cleaning spray without straining yourself.
4. Bucko Soap Scum And Grime Remover
A professional strength cleaner sure to get the job done right, Bucko brings you their Soap Scum And Grime Remover which will not disappoint.
Promising to dissolve even the toughest soap scum and grime from your bathtub with a no-scrub formula, this cleaner will leave your bathtub with a beautiful shine.
Just spray the cleaner on your porcelain or acrylic tub, let it work its magic and wipe it away to reveal a sparkling clean bathtub.
No harsh chemicals, no bleach and no acid are to be found in this bottle. That means this cleaner is safe and non-toxic and can be used where your children bathe with no worries. This Bucko cleaner is also septic-safe.
Give it a try today and you’ll be happy with the shine you see tomorrow!
5. InstaNew Jetted Tub Cleaner
If you have a jacuzzi tub, you know that it needs special care and attention in order to be properly cleaned. That’s where this cleaning solution from InstaNew comes in extremely handy.
Formulated specifically to clean the jet system in your jacuzzi tub, this cleaner is one you simply must have on hand.
The cleansers in this bottle will work hard to not only clean your tub but also to work its way into the jets and remove any debris or build-up that can wreak havoc.
Simply fill your jacuzzi tub with water, add just 4 ounces of the Jetted Tub Cleaner and turn on the jets. Let the solution clean for 15 minutes and your tub will be as good as new.
Jacuzzis demand special attention and if you’ve invested in one then don’t compromise yourself by failing to clean it properly.
Conclusion
We very much hope you’ve found these tips on making your bathtub sparkle useful and informative.
Remember, be absolutely sure to take note of what material your bathtub is made from before you buy a cleaner and never use anything abrasive to clean it!
Feel free to get in touch with any feedback or questions you might have. We are always delighted to hear from our readers and more than happy to help.
Good luck, and happy cleaning!