5 Ways to Remove Tough Stains from a Fiberglass Tub and Safety Tips

Have you always battled with removing tough stains from your fiberglass tub? This articles covers some of the best and easiest ways to remove such stains and ease your stress.
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Deborah Beams
Deborah Beams
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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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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: September 14, 2023
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It is an absolute delight to have a fiberglass tub in your home. It offers a sparkling and well surfaced tub – giving you an enjoyable bathing experience. But like every other tub, it requires maintenance. Fiberglass tubs are relatively easy to clean, but the main issue begins when you find some stains on your tub that seem not to go away no matter how much you try to get rid of them. This article will provide you with all the information you need on how to remove tough stains from your fiberglass tub.

Best methods

While there are a lot of cleaning products on the market, you want to make sure you don’t end up using the wrong products. Fiberglass tubs, as well as acrylic tubs are durable and easy to clean, but they can lose their shine and have cracks when cleaned with the wrong cleaning agents and equipment according to Wikihow. The best methods to remove tough stains from your fiberglass tub are therefore:

1. With baking soda and water

5 Ways to Remove Tough Stains from a Fiberglass Tub and Safety Tips

Mix baking soda with water to form a paste. Then apply portions of the paste on areas of your tub where you have tough stains and leave for at least an hour. You can leave the paste to sit for as long as 12 hours depending on the degree of the stain. The paste may also turn brownish over time depending on the degree of the stain. Scrub gently on the paste with a soft brush or simply rinse off with water. Lastly, wipe the area with a clean dry cloth.

2. With vinegar

Vinegar is a common household cleaning agent and a strong disinfectant. It is powerful enough to dissolve watermarks and all kinds of stains but gentle enough to not cause cracks on your fiberglass tub. All you need to do is pour equal amounts of vinegar and water into a spray bottle and then add a little bit of dish soap. Tighten the lid on the spray bottle and then shake lightly.

Spray the solution on all parts of your tub and and not just on the stained areas. Then scrub gently with a soft nylon scrubber/brush. Rinse the tub with clean water after scrubbing.

3. With baking soda, water and vinegar

You certainly can combine baking soda and vinegar to tackle those stubborn stains on your tub. After applying the paste on the stained areas, wipe down with a soft cloth soaked in vinegar. Both baking soda and vinegar have stain removal properties and when combined give your fiberglass tub an added shine.

4. With hydrogen peroxide

5 Ways to Remove Tough Stains from a Fiberglass Tub and Safety Tips

Place three to five layers of clean white towels over the stain and pour hydrogen peroxide on top. Leave to soak for a while. This method is especially great when dealing with dark stains.

5. With acetone or paint thinners

For oil and paint stains, acetone or paint thinners work best. Note that these substances can be hazardous and if not applied with caution could damage your fibreglass tub.  Use them lightly and only on the specific areas with the stains.  Soak a clean soft cloth in the solution and rub gently over the stain until the stain is completely wiped off.

Always make use of hand gloves and goggles if you decide to use any of the two substances so as to keep your skin and face protected.

A lot of commercial cleaning agents are chemical based and aside from some specially formulated agents like Borax powder, it may be difficult to determine the ones that could cause damage to your fiberglass tub. It is best to use home-made cleaning agents like the ones mentioned above or natural agents as seen. Not only are they cost-efficient, but they also keep your tub protected.

How to remove rust stains

The sight of rust stains on your tub can be quite upsetting. Even more upsetting is how hard getting rid of them can be. Scrubbing away at them certainly does no good. How well you can get rid of rust stains depends more on what cleaning agents you use rather than on how hard you scrub.

Healthline suggest that of all fiberglass cleaning agents, vinegar remains the most effective at removing rust stains. Start by making a vinegar solution with warm water and then spray on the rust stain.  Leave on for a while before cleaning off with a clean cloth. You could also rinse off with clean water.

In cases where rust stains still remain, experts recommend using pure undiluted vinegar or a rust stain remover which is specially formulated to successfully get rid of rust stains without causing any damage to your tub.

Fiberglass tub maintenance tips

Take a look at a few tips that will keep your fiberglass tub shiny and lustrous for the longest time;

  • Clean and disinfect your tub at least once every two weeks. Use warm water and use liquid soap instead of detergents.
  • Use only soft and non-abrasive materials like a soft nylon brush or microfiber cloth to clean.
  • Clean in circular patterns.
  • Avoid using scouring powders and scraping tools. Not only do they cause cracks, they also make stains on fiberglass more visible.
  • Use non-abrasive cleaners. Cleaners that contain acetone should be used with caution.
  • Be consistent with one method of cleaning.
  • Apply a white polishing compound after cleaning your tub. You do not have to polish your tub each time you clean; a few times a year will suffice.

Safety Precautions

Some of the cleaners are highly concentrated and can cause injuries to your health. Fiberglass dust which is commonly seen when there are breaks or cracks on your tub could also cause harm when inhaled. There are a few basic precautions that you should take note of while cleaning your tub.

  • Wear protective clothes including goggles and rubber hand gloves.
  • Handle chemicals with care.
  • Avoid mixing chemicals and read instructions carefully when you have to mix.
  • Ensure the bathroom is well ventilated while you clean.

Final thoughts

Fiberglass tubs remain one of the top most convenient and durable bath tubs in the world. They also look great in almost every bathroom setting. With the information provided on how to remove tough stains from your fiberglass, you can tackle all kinds of stains and keep your tub in good shape for years, all with minimal effort.

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