Cleaning Your Bathtub

Bacteria and mold love bathtubs and their surrounding areas. Germs love to hide and grow in warm, moist places. Thoroughly cleaning your bathtub correctly will decrease your chances of harboring these unsafe conditions.

Another reason to clean your bathtub regularly is to help prevent stains. Minerals and chemicals in your water and depending on what you and your family do for a living, the chemicals can buildup over time and stain your bathtub. Giving your bathtub a weekly scrubbing will help prevent this and also cut back on mildew buildup.

Now as far as the products you will be using to clean your bathroom it should be safe to use on the materials your bathtub and surrounding areas are made of. If you are unsure you can choose to find out what they are or go with all-natural cleaners to be on the safe side. Whether you choose harsh chemicals or all-natural products make sure you follow all directions carefully and open up any windows in your bathroom to help get rid of the overwhelming smells. A vent can also be used. Make sure to work in a well ventilated area.

If your bathtub has a wall or a surround you should start there first. Always when cleaning, start at the top and work your way to the bottom.

The wall and surround should be sprayed with a gentle mixture and a soft bristled brush should be used for the scrubbing. If you cannot find a product on the market you may use a solution of vinegar and water or make a paste of baking soda and water. Use the brush and go in slow circular motions. Always rinse well. Start with the top and work your way down. Always use plenty of water. Dry thoroughly using a chamois cloth or a regular bath towel.

If you already have a mildew problem on tiles, if you have them or if the mildew in build up around the grout make a solution of salt and vinegar. Put in a spray bottle and saturate the affected area. Let sit, scrub and rinse thoroughly. If that doesn't make a difference, water down a cup of bleach and repeat the process. Use bleach sparingly.

Clean all fixtures now. Fill ziploc bags with vinegar. Attach to the faucets with rubber bands and let soak. You should leave these sit for at least a half hour. Rinse completely and dry thoroughly.

Like I said earlier, clean all top portions first. Tackle all grout. If you find a real gunky, hard-to-reach place a toothbrush and the baking soda paste should be used. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Onto the tub. Baking soda paste and a bristle brush works great. If you have stubborn stains try a product like Comet before resorting to bleach. If you have a stubborn stain, fill the tub with hot water and two to three cups of bleach. Let sit till the water cools off. Drain and once again use the brush and scrub thoroughly. Rinse and dry completely.

This is just a basic way to keep your shower clean. To help with the clean up you should try to wipe your tub dry after each use. Be productive and keep this important task on your weekly chore list. The next time will go quicker. You will have a shiny, safer tub for you and your family.