How To Clean The Bathtub
Nothing makes my back ache more than cleaning the bathtub! Even thinking about it causes me to grimace.
This is the time I wish I was like Samantha, the witch. Just wiggle my nose and - presto, change-o! Grime's gone!
Lacking witchcraft, however, here are some practical tips that make it a little easier on this old' gal's body.
Mix a "sprayable" solution of a degreasing liquid detergent and water in a spray bottle (Palmolive ® makes a good one, earth friendly, with nice scents). Spray the solution all over the tub and let it sit for about 10 minutes, which should be enough time for it to work it's way into the soap scum and dirt.
Tips For Cleaning Bathtubs
I actually have a tool that almost eliminates the need for bending over the tub. Kind of like a sponge mop, it has a thick, square sponge at the end of an extended handle. It easily reaches the whole tub and conforms to the rounded corners.
It's easy to rinse out as you simply stick it under the faucet and squeeze it several times until clean. If you don't have one of those tools, you will have to use a larger household sponge, bend over and do it the old fashioned way. After going over the surface completely, rinse thoroughly and check for stubborn areas.
If necessary, break out a good abrasive type cleaner such as Tilex ®, Soft Scrub ®, or Comet ®. Bite the bullet and start scrubbing!
Thereafter, adding a little of the degreasing detergent to the bath water when you are done and agitating the water as it drains, helps keep the "ring around the tub" from forming. Be sure to rinse your tub with clean water to remove soap and avoid streaking.
Shower Stalls
Shower stalls are easy to maintain, once you have thoroughly cleaned. All you need to do is wipe down the wet surfaces after a shower. Use a squeegee on flat surfaces and a towel on the rest.
If water is wiped from the surface, there will be no water stains, no soap scum, and no oily grime buildup. You should, however, give your shower a good cleaning and treat with a sanitizer (to avoid mildew in hidden places) at least once a month to six weeks.
Gel-Gloss ® is a valuable product for polishing and finishing vinyl or acrylic showers and tubs. This is a white, milky cleaner/polish much like automotive wax. which, with a little rubbing, will remove most stains and discoloration.
When it dries to a light powdery residue, buff the surface with a clean cloth. Gel-Gloss leaves a smooth, sealed surface that resists water spotting and stains by causing water to bead up and run off. If hard water stains are not present, dirt and mildew will not build up, and the tub stays clean.
There is also a product called "Clean Shower ® ", which you lightly mist on theshower walls, glass door, curtain and fixtures after a shower. It makes water "sheet" and run off quickly so the shower stays clean. Clean Shower ® is inexpensive and is available in many stores.
Bathtub Cleaning Tips
How do you clean the bathtub? First, assemble the right tools - liquid detergent, spray bottle, protective gloves, mild abrasive cleansing product, and a scrubber (brush or sponge).
Pick up and put away all your bottles of shampoo and conditioner, soap, etc.
Your work will be easier and faster if these things are out of the way - It looks better, too.
Before you start the heavy scrubbing, wet the bathtub down and, using the detergent, begin lightly scrubbing at the heavily grimed areas of the tub. Allow to "work" for about 10 minutes, so the detergent can begin breaking down the grime.
When the time limit is up, go back to scrubbing, and the dirt should come off fairly easily.
After cleaning a section, spray or splash with clean water to mark your progress. If the dirt is still not coming off easily you can spray with Tilex ® and let it sit for a few minutes before you tackle it again.
When it's all done, practice regular maintenance for a few weeks, then give it another good going over.
Soap Scum Removal
An ounce of prevention is worth many hours scrubbing nasty soap scum!
Using a liquid shower gel instead of bar soap often eliminates the stubborn, greasy soap scum that is the bane of not only our maids, but cleaners in every home. The talc in bar soap combines with body oils and dries to a cement-like deposit.
There are many commercial cleaners available for shower scum. The secret is to apply then give the product time to dissolve the soap scum.
Reapplications may be necessary for severe buildup. Janitorial supply stores carry strong, alkaline degreasers for oily, soap scum removal.
Automatic dishwasher detergent works very well as a degreaser. (Think how effective it is removing grease for your dishes)
Cleaning Recipes:
- Mix about 3/4 cup automatic dishwasher detergent to one gallon of water. Sponge solution on and allow to set 15 minutes, keeping surfaces wet, in order to dissolve scum. Rub with a scrub brush or white or green scrubby. Repeat applications may be necessary to removal all scum. Rinse and dry.
- Common baking soda and water paste makes an effective scum remover, fights odor and mildew.
- Spraying hot white vinegar on surfaces is effective on scum, sanitizes and removes odor.
For severe mineral deposits, commercial products are available to remove calcium, lime, or rust.
Whatever cleaner you decide to use, be sure to give the product or solution time to dissolve to effectively degrease shower walls and bathtubs.
Routine bathtub maintenance should minimize problems with soap scum and mineral deposits.
