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When days and months of scrubbing and cleaning doesn't improve the condition of your bathtub, you know it's time to change your tub cleaner! But how will you know the next product you're buying is a safe bet? We're here to help you find that perfect product.
It's easy for deposits, build-ups, and stains to affect your bathing experience and impact the appearance of your tub. After going through our carefully handpicked list of ten best cleaners for various bathtubs, don't forget to read the buying guide. Your tub will be sparkling in no time!
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
Table of Contents
Years of using a bathtub don't necessarily make you an expert in cleaning it! At least once, you might have had the experience of staring at your tub and wishing it was cleaner.
No one likes scrubbing on their hands and knees, especially since bathtubs can have odd angles and stubborn stains. Let's dive into the details of achieving a spotlessly clean bathtub! You can make this bothersome chore easier by choosing the right product.
Cleaners are available in abrasive and non-abrasive formulas. Abrasive cleaners are formulated to remove heavily-soiled smaller areas.
Over time, these cleaners can affect the shine and coating of your tub. As a result, abrasive cleaners are not usually used on bathtubs. If you do choose this kind of cleaner, scouring pads are rarely necessary.
Non-abrasive cleaners are all-purpose and available in concentrated, powder, or liquid form. Surfactants and builders are the main ingredients of a non-abrasive cleaner.
The surfactant creates foam when the powder is mixed with water or when the liquid cleaner is diluted. These cleaners can also contain antimicrobial ingredients for disinfecting surfaces.
Cleaners are typically formulated in the form of liquids, sprays, or powders. You can also find gel-based cleaner or products that contain wax to polish the tub after cleaning.
Liquid cleaners contain a concentrated form of the main ingredient. They can be used full-strength or diluted as needed. For very dirty spots and areas, the concentrated or full-strength solution works the best.
You can find abrasive or non-abrasive liquid cleaners. These cleaners generally contain softer abrasives and more surfactants. Once diluted, they create foam. The more liquid it has, the more foam it creates. This can make rinsing difficult.
All-purpose cleaners generally come with moderate amounts of surfactants. Some come with a bleaching agent to remove stains, mold, and mildew as well.
Trigger spray cleaners are usually a diluted form of liquid cleaners pressurized inside pump-action bottles or aerosol cans. They mostly contain surfactants and low-level builders along with an organic solvent. This combination makes them ideal to use directly on grease and heavily-soiled or contaminated areas.
Powder cleaners are dissolved in water to achieve the desired strength and then applied onto the tub. Their abrasive action is stronger than liquids and sprays, so they are less desirable as bathtub cleaners. They often come with minerals such as silica, quartz, or calcite.
Depending on the purpose they are formulated for, there may be additional ingredients such as a bleaching agent. For use on rust stains, organic compounds such as oxalic acid are included in powder cleaners.
Bathtubs are made of different materials and in different designs. There is no dearth of products to suit the cleaning requirements of various tubs, no matter what they are made of! Before you hit the buy button, it's important to know whether the product suits the type of tub you have at home.
Porcelain bathtubs are durable and made of steel sheets with porcelain-enamel coating. They are easy to clean, however, they can chip easily and are susceptible to rust. Stay away from abrasive powder cleaners as they can cause chipping of the surface enamel.
Use gentle cleaners on porcelain surfaces; look for a cleaner with ingredients that are specifically safe to use on porcelain. Also, stay away from regular scouring powders and white vinegar.
Acrylic bathtubs are durable and are made of acrylic sheets reinforced with fiberglass. Although non-porous, the use of abrasives and chemicals can damage their surface.
Acetone-based cleaners and chlorine bleaches should be kept away from acrylic tubs. Green tub cleaners and stain removers are ideal. Baking soda and borax are good at cleaning acrylic tubs as well!
Fiberglass tubs are less durable and are made of various layers of fiberglass, polyester resin, and a surface coat. The surface is susceptible to scratching, which can eventually cause damage to the layers.
What you need is a gentle cleaner for fiberglass bathtubs. Mild cleaners, like bio-acid cleaners and eco-friendly cleaners without toxic substances, are ideal.
Cast iron tubs are thick, durable, and resistant to scratching or chipping. For regular cleaning, use a solution of baking soda and water. The use of harsh chemicals in cast iron tubs can result in discoloration.
Baking soda solution should work as a basic cleaner for enameled cast iron tubs. For tough stains, go for a cleaner with trisodium phosphate.
Even the slightest of scratches can destroy the appearance of these tubs. This style of bathtub is made of natural stones molded with minerals, resins, and other materials. Marble and granite tubs are examples of this style.
Mild soap-based or detergent-based cleaners are ideal to clean these bathtub types. Avoid using harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners, as they are likely to damage the tub materials.
Bathtub cleaners are not always meant to address all problem areas. Some are meant to remove stains or build-up that refuse to come off the walls wherein others address the issue of removing mold and mildew. You can also get products with polishing agents that can retain your tub's shine.
Dirt and germs can easily accumulate all over your bathtub. After all, it's an area of our home that's often used more than once a day, especially for larger families! This can result in the formation of mold and mildew. To kill bacteria and viruses, go for a multipurpose or disinfectant cleaner.
A product with deodorizing properties can make your bathtub smell fresh as well. Some bacteria, while harmless, can cause order. If you're concerned about the smell, choose a product that tackles this concern!
To dissolve grime and gunk, go for a product with ingredients that can dislodge specks of dirt easily from the surface and fittings inside the tub. Ingredients like bleach or hydrogen peroxide can get the job done! Such a formula can also dissolve the residues left by oils, soaps, scrubs, or bath bombs.
The use of hard water can eventually clog your drains and results in mineral buildup inside your tub and faucet. Besides, hard water can stain your tubs as well.
Products containing oxygen bleach can dissolve stains and effectively clean your tub. Unlike chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach isn’t harmful to humans or pets and is safe to use on most tub surfaces. Cleaners with the power of oxygen create bubbles that dissolve tough deposits caused by hard water.
Oxygen bleach cleaners can also disband grease and other substances stuck to the tub walls or grout. Besides, they can remove rust stains, soap scum, and other dirt to make your tub look sparklingly clean.
A good cleansing product keeps your tub dirt, germ, and deposit-free. But that product might eventually reduce the tub’s shine and luster! Products with carnauba wax can polish your tub and give it a natural shine.
This wax is also helpful in preventing hard water staining and spotting! These products mostly come in a gel form to make polishing easier.
An ideal bathtub cleaner needs to work well, first and foremost. However, there are other factors to consider. Make sure you are buying a good-quality product that's also safer for you and those around you. Also, you may want to pay attention to any environmental concerns or the manufacturer's reputation.
An eco-friendly cleaner is a safer choice for you and the environment. These products are made of natural, plant-based, or biodegradable ingredients that are non-toxic to the environment. When you buy and use such products, you are making a vow to protect the environment we live in.
However, some organic or natural cleaners have a very strong scent that might not appeal to all. Choose products containing tea tree oil, citric acid, eucalyptus leaf oil, or peppermint oil as ingredients instead. These antibacterial ingredients can clean well as well as impart a fresh fragrance to the tub.
Chlorine bleach is popular for its power, but it can harm your tub, your body, and the environment. It's extremely irritating and can cause health issues if ingested or inhaled. Instead, choose a product with oxygen bleach, which is safer for you and the environment.
Besides the power to remove stains, dirt, grime, germs, and mineral deposits, look for the versatility of the product. An all-purpose product that can clean many types of surfaces can save you from spending money on multiple items! Plus, one versatile product means less cleaning supplies to lug around and store.
Some products come with a warranty or a money-back guarantee. These can be helpful to have if you're unsure about trying a new product! We also recommend buying products only from a reputed brand. You want to be able to trust the product you're using, especially since it's so important to keep your bathtub hygienic.
Do not forget to read reviews from customers that can help you make a choice! Also, look for a product that lives up to its claims. Also, consider how much product you'll need to get the job done. Less effective products may use multiple ounces of a product per cleaning, as opposed to just using a little amount of a good quality product.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | The Bucko Soap Scum and Grime Cleaner | $18.88 High Mid | No More Disgusting Soap Scum or Grime on Your Tub | ||
2 | Mold Armor Instant Mold and Mildew Remover|2 Pack | $24.56 High | Quickly Dispel Mold and Mildew from Your Bathtub | ||
3 | Skylarlife Home Mold & Mildew Remover Gel | $12.99 Low Mid | Concentrated Gel to Remove Mold and Mildew from Tub Surfaces | ||
4 | Oh Yuk Jetted Tub Cleaner | $16.99 Mid | The Best Disinfectant Cleaner for Your Jetted Tub | ||
5 | Bio Clean Products Eco Friendly Hard Water Stain Remover | $18.88 High Mid | Eco-Friendly Cleaner to Ward Off Hard Water Stains | ||
6 | Bring It On Cleaner Hard Water Stain Remover | $18.89 High Mid | Best Oxy Cleaner for Hard Water Stains and Spots | ||
7 | Better Life Natural Tub and Tile Cleaner | $5.89 Low | The Best Natural Cleaner for Tubs and Tiles | ||
8 | Wet & Forget Weekly Shower Spray | $17.97 Mid | A Concentrated Bleach-Free Solution for the Entire Bathroom | ||
9 | TR INDUSTRIES The Original Gel-Gloss Kitchen and Bath Polish and Protector | $13.99 Mid | Clean, Polish, and Protect Your Tub with a Wax Formula | ||
10 | Lime-A-Way Turbo Foam Bathroom Cleaner | $5.74 Low | Strong Spot-Cleaner Spray for Deposits and Stains |
This commercial-strength cleaner tackles the tough job of dislodging soap scum and grime without bleach, acid, or any toxic chemicals. It works on most surfaces, including acrylic bathtubs. You won't be wasting your time scrubbing away! Don't be surprised if you see your tub shining after your next bath or shower.
The ingredients are natural and bio-degradable, so it won't harm your septic tank. Although the outcome wasn't appealing for some users, there are more satisfied buyers who still choose this product for its cleaning efficacy.
Letting the product sit for a few minutes after spraying worked like magic for some. If reviews are to be believed, just one application is going to give you a tub that looks good as new!
If you use your bathtub regularly or if you live in a humid area, the build-up of mold and mildew can be a concern. This all-purpose cleaner is designed to oust mold and mildew from the bathtub and to prevent their growth for up to two months. It's a bleach-based formula, so stains will disappear quickly.
Some users disliked the strong scent that lasted for a couple of days, so they recommend using it in a well-ventilated area. A couple of users said that the bottle can leak without you noticing.
A lot of happy reviewers loved how well the product works even on the toughest of stains, especially without the need for any scrubbing. As long as you take enough steps for the product to not get into your eyes or skin, this is a great product with a super-satisfying outcome.
Leave this concentrated gel formula on your moldy areas for a few hours to see how it makes mold and mildew vanish! It comes in an easy-to-apply bottle and stays intact even on vertical surfaces, making it a cinch to use for spot treatments.
The use is not just limited to bathtubs, either; you can apply it on window sills, pools, showerheads, and more. Some users complained of it not working as expected and smelling like bleach. If applied directly to the scum-filled mold spots, the product might be less effective.
On the other hand, most positive reviews reveal the product works wonders on mold and mildew when applied on dry surfaces. Some had to scrub on the spot or reapply the product for better results. For most, it got rid of mold and stains, where other products failed to work.
This formula dissolves and removes residues and grime leftover by soaps, bath oils, or mineral deposits from your jetted tub, a tub that comes with bigger cleaning demands.
Its effectiveness has been laboratory and field-tested and the primary ingredient, quaternary ammonium cation, is a highly effective cleaning and disinfecting component.
Some users found the smell toxic, but some didn't find it that unpleasant. Some users were unhappy with the results as well, although it did dislodge some flaky scum from their tubs.
However, a lot of reviewers liked how this product eliminated black flakes completely. For most, it worked like charm and transformed the look of their tubs after a day or two. Overall, this is a great choice to make jetted tubs look cleaner and smell nicer.
Although eco-friendly, this cleaner is tough on stains. It even works on years of mineral deposit built-up and brings those areas back to a spotless state! Since it's an all-purpose cleaner, you can use it on your windows, shower doors, windshields, tiles, or toilet bowls.
Some users felt that it removes spots and stains but not mold and grout from tub tiles. A couple of users said that they needed to reapply the solution to get rid of the stains. They say to remove the scum from moldy areas and then apply for better results!
Although pricey, a lot of reviewers liked how well the product cleaned their tubs and fixtures and left them sparkling. Getting rid of hard water stains, deposits, soap scum, or other nasty build-up is simple using this polish-based cleaner!
Bring It On Cleaner comes with the efficiency of oxygen bleach in removing hard water build-up that can otherwise clog your drains, faucets, and stain tub surfaces. You can use it on porcelain, cast polymer, or ceramic tubs without impacting their shine!
The formula is concentrated, so use it in full-strength or in the diluted form. Allow some time for the oxygen to create bubbles and dissolve the unwanted dirt and grime! The product is child and pet-safe but can still irritate the eyes and skin.
Don't have any doubt about the effectiveness of this natural cleansing product! This green cleaner comes with plant-derivatives that are strong enough to expel rust, stains, grime, and grease from both on and around your tub. It's made with no harmful ingredients, so you can safely use it even when children are around.
Application is easy, but for stubborn stains, some scrubbing might be required. The smell was unpleasant and overpowering for some users, mainly for those with allergies or asthma.
Those who strongly oppose the use of chemicals on their tubs found the product really promising. Some users claimed that their dirty and stained tubs had never looked so clean!
This formula is meant for weekly application on your tub. It's a leave-on treatment that you rinse off the next day without having to scrub or wipe! It's a bleach-free formula but gets rid of build-up and stains with just one application. After rinsing, the pleasant vanilla scent is impressive.
Unlike other products, there are no nasty odors or bleach fumes to worry about! This large bottle is meant for 12 weeks of use. A couple of users said that it left spots on tiles and glass shower doors. Plus, the one-gallon size makes it heavy.
However, users state that it cleans spotlessly and fulfills the promise of warding off grime and build-up, factors that outweigh any negative issues!
Some products clean well, but they can take the shine off your bathtub and fixtures. The addition of carnauba wax makes this gel a good polishing agent! It contains harmless abrasive cleaning agents that can buff out scratches and removes spots and stains too. Use your hand or a towel to apply this one-step cleaner and polisher to get a like-new finish.
It comes with the Proposition 65 warning for Californians, which discouraged some reviewers from using it. Most household cleaners are potentially harmful if ingested, so you need to be extra vigilant about the product, especially when kids are around.
Reviewers like that the polished surface became resistant to hardware deposits and soap scum. To maintain the results, you need to keep using the product regularly. For most users, the results were convincing!
To dislodge deposits that refuse to come off, be it rust, scum, or hard water deposits, you need the powerful formula of this spray spot cleaner. Spray it onto the stained surfaces and fixtures, then wipe it off after a while to see that the deposits have disappeared! This cleaner works quickly and is tough on stains.
Despite the strong formula, some reviewers complained that it didn't work well. The lingering smell was bothersome for some as well, especially for sensitive noses. The spray range is short, too, so you'll need to keep it closer to the targeted spot during application.
For some users, the stains disappeared in only a minute, while others said it took a few minutes to work. Most reviewers love the results they achieved with this product, even if it took a little elbow grease.
Need some tips for using your new cleaner? It's always important to follow the directions from the manufacturer, but we've researched some points that are always helpful to keep in mind!
Never use an abrasive pad, steel wool, or any hard tools to clean tub surfaces. This can result in minor cracks and scratches. As said earlier, you should not subject most surfaces to harsh chemicals.
Cleaning the surface of the tub is key, but you should also clean the sides, hidden corners, and fittings. Mold, dirt, and germs love to hide out in hidden spots! Multiple rinses might be required after using a cleaner. This can keep scum, grime, and gunk at bay.
Also, don't forget to clean the whole bathroom regularly to maintain a hygienic environment to bathe in. Bathrooms are often humid and damp environments, which makes it very easy to dirt and mold to accumulate. Periodic light cleaning can often prevent the need for bothersome deep cleans!
The bathtub is only a part of your bathing space. To maintain a clean environment, you need to pay attention to every nook and corner of the bathroom. To keep your bathroom healthy and clean round-the-clock, here are our recommendations!
No. 1: The Bucko|Soap Scum and Grime Cleaner
No. 2: Mold Armor|Instant Mold and Mildew Remover|2 Pack
No. 3: Skylarlife|Home Mold & Mildew Remover Gel
No. 4: Oh Yuk |Jetted Tub Cleaner
No. 5: Bio Clean Products|Eco Friendly Hard Water Stain Remover
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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