The bathtub is a critical area of the bathroom and greatly affects how the whole environment of this room looks. Consequently, it is important to always keep it clean. Porcelain enamelled tubs are some of the most popular, while wholly porcelain tubs were more common in the early decades of the last century and are rarer today. Regardless of the type of tub you have, it is important to follow the correct procedure and use the right materials to keep it clean and protect the surface.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Wash a Real Porcelain Tub
Step 1. Mix 60ml of white vinegar with 8L of water
Take a bucket with a capacity of 20 l and in it mix 60 ml of white vinegar and 8 l of water. Mix the solution until it is homogeneous.
- How to tell if it is in real porcelain? Put a magnet on the side of the tub - if it sticks, then it's metal and has a porcelain finish.
- Tubs that are completely made of porcelain are more resistant to chemicals than enameled ones.
Step 2. Clean the inside of the tub with a damp cloth
Before doing a deeper cleaning, start by removing surface dirt and dust. Identify the most noticeable stains, which you can then focus on later, during the actual cleaning.
This can also be done regularly to keep the inside of the tank clean
Step 3. Dip a sponge in the vinegar solution and wipe it over the tub
Soak a sponge in the solution you made with the water and vinegar, then wipe it over the surface of the tub. Scrub the sides and top, then work your way down until you reach the bottom. Use a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush to scrub stubborn stains.
Step 4. Rinse the tub with lukewarm water
Let the vinegar solution work for 5 minutes to dissolve any residual dirt left on the surface. At the end of the 5 minutes, rinse the tub with warm water, making sure to remove all the residues of dirt that have dissolved thanks to the action of the vinegar. Porcelain tubs should be washed once a week.
Method 2 of 3: Clean a Porcelain Enamelled Tub
Step 1. Treat stains using hydrogen peroxide or baking soda and ammonia
Hydrogen peroxide can be left on the stain for 5 minutes before rubbing it with a solution of dish soap and water.
Alternatively, you can mix 60ml of ammonia and 60g of baking soda, using this paste to scrub away stains
Step 2. Mix hot water and dish soap
In a large bucket, mix 4 liters of water and 2 tablespoons of dish soap. Once it starts to foam, you can use the soapy water to wash the tub.
Step 3. Wash the tub with soapy water
Dip a sponge into the solution and wipe the entire tub from top to bottom. Rub harder on stained areas. Dip the sponge back into the soapy water and continue washing the tub.
- Instead of the sponge you can use a rag.
- Enamel is sensitive to chemicals such as bleach and vinegar, which can further deteriorate the surface.
Step 4. Rinse the tub
Rinse the tub thoroughly until the foam is completely eliminated. You can rinse with a bucket full of clean water or the shower head.
Method 3 of 3: Clean the tub with lemon and salt
Step 1. Cut a lemon in half
When buying lemon, make sure it's not ripe so you can use it to scrub the surface. Cut it in the center with a sharp knife and remove the seeds that are inside.
Alternatively, you can use a grapefruit
Step 2. Sprinkle a handful of salt on the surface of the lemon
Use coarse salt to make the lemon action even more effective when rubbing. Sprinkle a sufficient amount of salt to completely cover the fruit. Repeat the process with the other half.
Step 3. Scrub the tub
Take a piece of lemon and rub the salt-coated part on stubborn stains. Squeeze it lightly to help the juice flow out. Once the lemon has flattened and all the pulp is squeezed out, use the other half to continue cleaning.
Lemon is also effective for polishing the tub and adding a protective coating
Step 4. Rinse the tub
Rinse the tub thoroughly using the shower head or a bucket full of water. Make sure you have eliminated all residual pulp and salt at the end of the rinse.
