How to Clean Plastic Bathtubs and Keep Them White as New

In this article, you will find how to clean plastic bathtubs without breaking a sweat, and we will give tips on how to keep the tub clean longer
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 28, 2023
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The sight of stains on plastic bathtubs is usually an ugly one. Not only is the sight irritating, but it’s also not healthy. And the problem doesn’t have to persist when there are viable solutions.

Although specialized cleaners are ideal for getting rid of plastic bathtub stains, household materials work wonders and are perfect for saving money and reducing the usage of chemicals. If you’re itching to learn how to clean plastic bathtubs, you’ve found yourself in the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about cleaning plastic bathtubs and doing it safely.

How to Remove Stains from Plastic Bathtub

What’s the best way to clean plastic bathtub? Learn how to remove stains from plastic bathtub below:

Step 1. Detergent

How to Clean Plastic Bathtubs and Keep Them White as New

To clean plastic tub, detergent is quite an effective solution. Pour some mild detergent and warm water into a container. Dip a piece of cloth into it and use it to clean the dirt on the plastic tub. If some stains won’t go away, get a brush to scrub them away and rinse with water.

Step 2. Lemon juice or vinegar

If the detergent doesn’t work, you’ll need to try lemon juice or vinegar. Dip a clean piece of cloth into a cup of vinegar and use it to clean the stains on your tub, applying mild pressure. If vinegar doesn’t get the job done, try the same process with lemon juice.

Consider stain difficulty

No doubt, some stains can be very difficult to remove. In such cases, allow the lemon juice or vinegar-soaked piece of cloth to sit on the stains for about 15 – 20 minutes. Then, rub the stains away or get a brush to scrub them. Finally, rinse with water.

Step 3. Baking soda for grime

How to Clean Plastic Bathtubs and Keep Them White as New

Detergent and lemon juice or vinegar may not be ideal for removing grime, but trust baking soda to do the hard work. Fill a small below with ½ baking soda and enough water to moisten the former. Mix the paste and apply it to the grime. Then, scrub the grime with a brush and rinse the tub after.

Step 4. Chlorine bleach

Add equal parts of water and chlorine bleach in a small container. Mix them and apply the solution to the stained bathtub. Let the mixture sit on the tub for at least 15 minutes and proceed to scrub the stains off with a brush.

If the chlorine bleach doesn’t provide the desired results, you may need to consider a specialized cleaner. According to most reviews, the Better Life Natural Tub Cleaner with plant-based power is perfect for removing plastic bathtub stains completely.

Alternatively, opt for the equally potent Scrub Free Bathroom Cleaner which boasts a powerful formula that quickly cuts through mineral scale, soap scum, and hard water stains.

Safety advice

Ensure that you ventilate your room well before using chlorine bleach to avoid dangerous exposure as advised by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source Facts about Chlorine What chlorine is emergency.cdc.gov .  Plus, you should never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar or other cleaners to avoid a toxic reaction that could damage your lungs or be deadly Trusted Source Working with Household (Chlorine) Bleach What is household/chlorine bleach? Why should I be careful when working with bleach? Why is bleach useful? www.ccohs.ca  according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.

Step 5. Rinse the tub

Rinse the tub with water to flush the cleaner and dirt away. Ensure that there’s no dirt remaining on the surface.

Step 6. Wipe dry

After you’re done rinsing the plastic bathtub, get a clean, dry piece of cloth to wipe the tub dry.

Final Thoughts

As you now know, learning how to get a plastic bathtub white again is a breeze. And you don’t have to break the bank to acquire the necessary materials to clean your tub. Although you may need to opt for chemicals in case of stubborn grime, you’ll need household materials such as detergent, lemon juice, or vinegar to get the job done most of the time.

Even though the best corner bathtubs, best drop-in bathtubs, and best acrylic bathtubs have top features, they can’t escape stains. So, you’ll need to learn how to clean plastic bathtubs effectively. Luckily for you, this article is the perfect guide to help.

References

1.
Facts about Chlorine
What chlorine is
2.
Working with Household (Chlorine) Bleach
What is household/chlorine bleach? Why should I be careful when working with bleach? Why is bleach useful?
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