How to Clean a Plastic Bathtub With Household Ingredients

While commercial cleaners are good for removing hard-water plastic bathtub stains, you can use simple cleaners made from household ingredients to save money and reduce your usage of chemicals.

Warning: Although the solvents used in this project, like vinegar and lemon juice, have fairly low acidity compared to other solvents, prolonged exposure isn’t recommended. Therefore, you should protect your hands with rubber gloves, just like if you were cleaning with other acidic liquids.

Step 1 – Use Detergent

Plastic bathtubs are easy to clean, so you should first start your cleaning with a mild detergent, brush, and warm water. Pour some detergent into a container, and add a little bit of water. Dip the cloth in the container, and use it to wipe off the dirt on the tub. Use a brush to scrub away stubborn stains. Rinse with water.

Move on to the next step if the first isn’t effective.

Step 2 – Use Vinegar or Lemon Juice

Next, soak a piece of cloth in a cup of vinegar, and use it to scrub the stains on the plastic bathtub. Gently apply pressure with the cloth, working in a circular motion to avoid creating streaks. If vinegar does not dissolve the stains entirely, try the same method with lemon juice.

Remove Difficult Stains

For hard-to-remove stains, allow the cloth soaked in vinegar or lemon juice to sit on the stain for about 15 minutes. Rub the stains off or use a brush afterward. Rinse with water. If this method still doesn’t work, proceed to the next step.

Step 4 – Use Chlorine Bleach

Warning: Before using this method, make sure all vinegar and vinegar odors are gone from the room. Never mix vinegar and chlorine bleach, as this creates a toxic reaction that could make you sick or even prove fatal.

Chlorine bleach is an effective solution that can remove mildew and calcium build-up in plastic bathtubs. Because chlorine bleach has a strong odor, make sure to ventilate the room well before working on the stains.

Mix equal parts of chlorine and water in a container, and use it to clean the bathtub. Place the solution in a spray bottle and spray it onto the tub evenly. Allow the mixture to sit on the bathtub for about 15 minutes before scrubbing it with a toothbrush or brush. Rinse with water to flush away the chemical.

Step 5 – Wipe With a Dry Cloth

Once you’re finished cleaning, buff the bathtub with a clean, dry cloth.