How to Get Rid of Those Stains in Your Bath Tub

Bath time (especially with bubble bath!) is full of memory-making. From overflowing bubble baths to games of the kids making “spicy drinks” for Dad and him pretending to spit them out, bathtub fun and all the squeals and giggles that go along with it make up many of the times I look back on bittersweetly. 

Of course, you want the bathtubs you bathe your children in to not only be clean, but to look clean. That’s why bathtub stains are so disturbing: They feel dirty, and they’re really hard to get rid of. 

Following are some of the most common bathtub stains and how to clean them, but a few notes. First, to properly clean your bathtub stains, it’s important to know what type of stains you’re dealing with. The bathtub cleaning methods below are separated by type of stain. Second, if you’re dealing with more than one type of stain and will be addressing them with different methods, make sure not to mix solutions. Thoroughly rinse tub surfaces between methods. In addition, make sure to thoroughly rinse the tub when you’re done cleaning. 

Before you begin cleaning, prepare the tub. Remove bath toys and personal care items. (Take this opportunity to clean those bath toys, too!) Also, ensure adequate ventilation. Open windows if you have them and turn on the vent fan. 

Soap scum occurs when soap residue and dirt mix with the minerals in hard water, and it is notoriously difficult to clean. Here’s how to take care of it:

1. Make a solution of 50/50 distilled white vinegar and water.
2. Spray it on the affected tub areas.
3. Allow the vinegar to sit for at least 15 minutes, but longer is better. 
4. Scrub the stain with a paste made from baking soda and water. 

Another good way to remove soap scum is with Dawn Powerwash, which cuts through the scum. The foam enables a prolonged dwell time on the soap scum. 

After cleaning with either method, rinse your bathtub clean. 

Yellow and brown stains are likely due to hard water deposits, which can be especially tricky to remove. White vinegar is the classic solution to hard water stains, and the bathtub is no exception. Here’s how to clean hard water stains in the bathtub:

1. Spray a solution of white vinegar on the stains or soak a small towel or rag in white vinegar and let it sit on the stains. 
2. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes and up to an hour.
3. Rinse clean. 

Not quite gone? Try a baking soda paste. Apply it and scrub. 

Hydrogen peroxide is also effective against hard water stains. Important note: Never mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. If you try both methods, rinse thoroughly between them. 

1. Spray a hydrogen peroxide and water solution on the stains.
2. Allow it to sit for about 15 minutes.
3. Rinse clean.

Pink stains in the bathtub are caused by a biofilm of bacteria. You definitely want to get this out of your bathtub! Here’s how to do it:

1. Try a general all-purpose cleaner like Simple Green. Spray it on, allow it to sit for a few minutes, and wipe down with a microfiber cloth. 
2. If stains persist, spray a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. Allow it to sit and then scrub or wipe down again. 

Red bathtub stains are due to rust.

For ceramic and porcelain tubs: If you have a ceramic or porcelain tub, you can use a pumice stone to remove it. You can also use lemon juice and salt on rust stains. The lemon juice helps lift the stains and the salt helps scrub the stains out. 

For acrylic or fiberglass tubs: Do not use either of the above methods because they will scratch the tub. Instead, use distilled white vinegar to remove the stains. You can also follow with a baking soda paste, which is gentle enough for more delicate surfaces and will help lift stains. 

Black stains in the tub are probably caused by mold. Spray the affected area with distilled white vinegar and allow it to sit for an hour before rinsing. Make a baking soda paste and apply it to the affected areas. Scrub with a scouring pad or brush to remove the stains and rinse thoroughly. Both vinegar and baking soda are gentle enough to be used on any type of bathtub. 

Tough mold stains may need further cleaning with a bleach-based tub cleaner. Kaboom’s Mold and Mildew Shower Cleaner (now under the OxiClean name) is the best I’ve found. I wrote all about it here.