How to Remove a Stained Bathtub?

After taking a bath, you notice a bathtub ring. This is grime deposited on the inside of your bathtub at the high-water mark of the bathwater used. Dirt or stains and oil that float on top of the water cause the grime after being washed off your body. To keep your bathtub clean, remove the grime immediately by draining the bath water. Warm or hot water and a suitable detergent will remove the oil and dirt. Cold water will solidify the oil, making it difficult to remove.

However, there are mild scouring powders in the market that can remove the grime without having to use warm or hot water and yet they do not scratch the surface of the tub. Bathroom cleaning solutions are also available in supermarkets in spray bottles. Spray the solution all over your bathtub, clean using a sponge or cloth and rinse out the solution and dirt using clean water. To avoid staining your bathtub, do a special bathtub cleaning at least once a week. Spray the solution over your tub or sprinkle a suitable scouring powder and water and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This allows the solution to work its way into the soap, scum, grime and dirt, breaking it down so that it is easy to remove.

After 10 minutes, take a soft scouring pad and scrub your tub, starting with the stained bathtub areas. Using a soft scouring pad or sponge prevents the formation of scratches. Wash off the solution and dirt and then rinse your stained bathtub using clean water to remove soap and avoid streaking-the formation of a long thin mark. Agitating the water as it drains prevents ring formation. Keep a regular cleaning schedule to avoid staining the bathtub. After continuous use however, you may notice your bathtub begins to stain and its removal is quite difficult. A stained bathtub is uncomfortable and embarrassing.

There are a few cleaning agents that you can use for stain removal from the stained bathtub. These are:

Vinegar: Vinegar is a dilute acetic acid made by fermenting beer, wine or cider. Pour vinegar into a spray bottle and spray over the stains in your stained bathtub. Leave it overnight and wash it off in the morning.

Bleach: Bleach is a chemical substance that removes color and stains and used as a cleansing agent and disinfectant. Sodium perborate and potassium permanganate are common bleaches. Laundry bleaches in supermarket shelves may be all you need to make your stained bathtub snow-white. Add about half a cup and let it sit in your tub for as long as possible. Rinse it our using clean water and wash your tub as usual to remove the bleach and its strong smell.

Borax: Borax or sodium tetraborate is a chemical compound used in cleaning products, as a water softener or a preservative. Borax dissolves readily in water, forming an alkaline, antiseptic solution also used as a disinfectant and detergent. Borax is normally in powder form and found in the laundry section of most supermarkets. Sprinkle it onto your tub and add some water, rub it onto the stained bathtub area and let it sit for half an hour. Rinse it off and clean the tub as usual.

Calcium Cleaners: Scum forms in areas where they use hard water to bath and this may stain your tub. Scum is a filmy layer of matter or impurities. Hard water can also leave scale or lime deposits on your tub and you may therefore require a cleaner made for lime. These special cleaners although difficult to find are available in some supermarkets. Pour the cleaner into your stained bathtub and scrub it especially in the stained area and let it sit for about half and hour. You may need to repeat this process to get rid of all the lime deposits. Clean your tub afterwards as you would normally.

Iron cleaners: Many areas have water with iron. This can leave a reddish ring around the draining area or stain the bowl with a reddish orange tint. You can use iron cleaners to remove this stain. The cleaning procedure is similar to calcium cleaners.

NOTE: Whatever chemical you use, please follow the instructions and precautions for use. Most important, never mix chemicals as you may destroy your tub and hurt yourself. Make sure you have adequate ventilation, eye protection and gloves when handling chemicals.