How to Clean Acrylic Bathtub?

By
Deborah Beams
Deborah Beams
Research Writer
Deborah is an incredibly talented journalist who's been working for numerous online magazines for over 8 years now. She's also our main research writer who can turn any bori read more
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Reviewed By
Charles Eggleston
Charles Eggleston
Expert Consultant
Charles's been a plumber his entire life. Thanks to his vast experience we can always rely on Charles' expert opinion when creating any of our articles. He's also a fantasti read more
Last updated: August 23, 2023
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Acrylic bathtubs are made of fiberglass reinforced with vacuum sheets of acrylic. The fiberglass makes it durable, while the acrylic sheet protects it from water seeping in, giving it a longer life span.  Many people love installing them Trusted Source How to install an acrylic shower unit - The Washington Post ASK THE BUILDER | It’s absolutely mission critical that the shower base be perfectly level in all directions if you’re installing the factory-provided shower door kits. www.washingtonpost.com  as they are clean, modern, and stylish.

Regular usage of any bathtub, however, means that water residue, dirt and leftover soap can build up, causing staining and discoloration. That’s why it’s important to know how to clean an acrylic bathtub.

Cleaning your acrylic bathtub regularly will allow you to have a bathroom soak in peace without needing to worry about ruining your tub.

These tubs can be cleaned using a variety of different methods, including natural or chemical options, depending on the condition of the bathtub. Here, we look at the different methods that can be used to make your acrylic bathtub look new. Let’s get started!

Cleaning with Natural Products

You may be wondering what to use to clean an acrylic bathtub. Well, there are some natural products that can help loosen the dirt from your bathtubs and help you clean them. Here we will look at two different methods.

Clean Using Fruits

How to Clean Acrylic Bathtub?There we look at how to clean a stained acrylic bathtub using regular fruits. Fruits that have a high concentration of citric acid can work wonders against tough stains on acrylic and also protect the acrylic from further damage. These include lemon, lime, and grapefruit. Clean using the following steps:

  1. You can squeeze your chosen fruit against the bathtub;
  2. Let it sit for a few minutes to loosen the hard water stains;
  3. Scrub with a soft scrubber if required;
  4. Rinse with warm water and dry with a soft microfiber cloth.

Clean Using Vinegar and Baking Soda

How to Clean Acrylic Bathtub?This is an amazing natural way of getting rid of tough stains in the bathtub without causing scratches or damage. There are two ways you can use this combination. For light stains:

  1. Mix vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Make sure that the spray bottle is new and not previously used for holding other chemicals;
  2. Spray the mixture on the stains of the bathtub;
  3. Let the vinegar work on loosening the dirt;
  4. Clean with a soft cloth.

If the stains seem to be difficult and don’t get off with plain vinegar, then use the following steps:

  1. Throw baking soda in the bathtub on all the areas that need a thorough cleaning;
  2. Mix vinegar with warm water in a bowl; you can also add a little bit of washing liquid or washing powder if you desire, or you can use undiluted vinegar for better result and spray it on the baking soda;
  3. The vinegar will react with the baking soda, causing it to froth;
  4. Let it bubble for a few minutes, spray more vinegar if needed;
  5. Scrub the area with a cotton cloth or soft sponge, or toothbrush for more hidden creaks and cervices;
  6. Clean with warm water and dry with a clean cloth.

Using Liquid Soap Cleaner

One of the easiest methods is to use a simple dishwashing liquid.

  1. Pour the liquid into a wet sponge;
  2. Softly scrub the stain;
  3. Clean with water;
  4. Let it dry.

Cleaning Using Chemicals

If you want to know how to clean acrylic bathtub stains that are a little more stubborn, then you may need to use chemicals. It is vital that the cleaning chemicals you use are acrylic-safe. You should check your cleaning product to make sure that it is a non-abrasive cleaner and does not contain acetone, as that can cause damage to the acrylic sheet covering the bathtub.

If you are not careful about the choice of your cleaner, then it can cause further damage to the tub, even causing corrosion and cracks in its surface. Here we look at the best options if you want to clean your bathtub with chemicals.

Clean Using Hydrogen Peroxide and Warm Water

You can combine hydrogen peroxide and water to clean the bathtub. Take the following steps to properly use this method:

  1. Mix some hydrogen peroxide and water. Make sure to wear gloves and protect yourself and your clothes from the hydrogen peroxide;
  2. If the stain seems to be stubborn, then you can add one-part hydrogen peroxide and two parts baking soda, or one-part hydrogen peroxide and two parts cream of tartar, whichever is readily available to you. Mix until it becomes a thin paste;
  3. Spread the paste over the areas that need cleaning;
  4. Let it sit for a few minutes;
  5. Then scrub with a soft sponge. Wait for a few more minutes;
  6. Then wash with warm water and clean with a soft cloth.

Clean Using Borax

You can also use Borax for stains that are harder to clean:

  1. Mix Borax with a little dishwashing liquid;
  2. Add water and make a mixture;
  3. Rub it onto the stains;
  4. Let it sit for a few minutes;
  5. Scrub with a soft cloth;
  6. Wash off with warm water.

Use a Specialized Cleanser

How to Clean Acrylic Bathtub?For deep cleansing, you may need a specialized deep cleanser, and you should look for the best product to clean an acrylic bathtub. There are plenty of great products out there, and it’s important to closely follow the instructions to get the best performance.

Our experts highly recommend the Better Life Natural Tub and Tile Cleaner as it’s brilliant at effectively removing a wide variety of different stains. Also, you can use the Scrub Free Bathroom Cleaner, which is another brilliant option.

How to Keep My Acrylic Tub Clean Longer?

Cleaning a tub can seem like a daunting task, especially if the tub has been left dirty and stained for a while. There are a few easy steps you can take to avoid this buildup of stains on the tub, to reduce your one-time effort, and increase the lifespan of your tub.

  1. Clean your tub at least once a week. Try to clean with detergent and water. It will prevent any buildup in the tub.
  2. Use a soft microfiber cloth or a terrycloth.
  3. Do not use harsh sponges, metal scrubs, scrappers, or scrubbing pads. These can damage the acrylic sheet and leave scratches and marks on the bathtubs.
  4. Make sure to clean around those deep and difficult corners of the tub. These include the areas around the faucets, water sprouts, shower head pipes, edges of the tub, and grout areas.
  5. You can use a toothbrush to make sure that these hard-to-reach areas are cleaned properly. These areas are the danger zones, which are not usually cleaned when you do a casual wash of the tub. The stains here start growing and become even harder to wash off at the next clean.
  6. Do not smoke in the bathroom. The smoke sticks to the water on the walls, shower, and tub. These stains are the hardest to remove, so be careful not to smoke near your acrylic tub.
  7. Choose one method to clean your tub and stick to it. If you want to change methods, make sure to clean the tub thoroughly before trying something new. Do not try a new cleaning product before removing all remnants of the previous cleaning product from the bathtub. They could have an adverse reaction to each other, causing further damage to the tub.
  8. Do not mix any chemicals without a careful reading of the instructions.
  9. The bathroom should be well ventilated when you are using chemical cleaners.
  10. Also, before trying a new product, make sure to check the Manufacturers recommendations to confirm whether the product is supposed to be used on an acrylic tub.
  11. Make sure to rinse your drains on a regular basis. You may need to use a drain cleaner or tub clog remover to clean it thoroughly.

Make sure to clean the area and drain it away thoroughly so that no chemical is left on the tub or drainer.

Final Thoughts

Acrylic looks beautiful, and they are one of the best bathtubs you can get. They may seem a little daunting to clean, but if you do it regularly, then it can easily be maintained with little effort.

Natural methods are better for regular users because they are cost-friendly, and the materials are normally available at home, but if your tub needs a thorough scrubbing, then chemical methods might be what you need. Just remember to treat the tub gently and avoid anything that could damage it.

Hopefully, by now, you have a good idea of how to clean an acrylic bathtub. What is the best way to clean an acrylic bathtub? That depends on what types of cleaner you want to use and how bad the staining is. You should now have all the knowledge you need to keep your bathtub looking new and shiny.

References

1.
How to install an acrylic shower unit - The Washington Post
ASK THE BUILDER | It’s absolutely mission critical that the shower base be perfectly level in all directions if you’re installing the factory-provided shower door kits.
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