How Do I Cean My Tub?

[Stella]

Like Vishenka, I live in a very old apartment in the city. My tub is very old and has been through a lot of tenants. It's bad enough that I have the spider problem to deal with in the bathroom, but...

how can I really clean my grimey old tub?? Is it possible??

I want to take a bath... :@

[Vishenka69]

Have you tried good old SOS/brillo pads or Magic Eraser? My tub gets a scrubbing every week but I'm still too grossed out to take a bath in it.

[Stella]

Not exactly. I'll try that. I'm thinking about letting a big tub of bleach water sit in there overnight. Is that okay or will the fumes kill me? Only half kidding.

Is that okay or will the fumes kill me? Only half kidding.

I don't think bleach would kill you. Bleach + ammonia -- yes.

Try "Bar Keepers Helper".

[spotty_dog]

My favorite tub cleanser: take a couple tablespoons of baking soda, mix with a bit of Dr Bronner's (whatever scent you have, I tend to use peppermint), to make a paste. Rub into yr grime with a damp rag and rinse away for nontoxic yummy-smelling soapscum-murdering fun!

[alison]

What's the condition of your tub?

The finish was coming off of our tub and I told the apt. manager that I wanted new finish. He came, removed what was left of the finished and spray-finished our tub. Looks great! There's a least a layer of paint between me and the grime and I'll take a bath in it.

[DCJenn]

If it's porcelain there's not going to be much you can do to remove the stains. There's a difference in stains vs.grime. You can sometimes remove someof the staining with a powder cleaner like Comet but I prefer to not sit in bleach residue.

Method (from Target) makes a soap scum remover that's non-toxic and works well.

Otherwise, go with Alison's plan and tell the landlord you want to tub resealed.

Jenn

I never took a bath during the entire 6 years I lived in apartments. I was too grossed out!

I also like the Magic Eraser.

[Cumberland]

My FIL put a whole bottle of CLR ( calcium lime rust) cleaner in our tub with some water and let in soak overnight. It really made in look better, or as good as a 50 year old tub can look.

[Stella]

I am pretty sure the tub isn't porcelain. It just looks like there are some stains in the front of the base - it's yellowish. Can you refinish a tub that isn't porcelain? I guess that means it is plastic? I have no idea what tubs are made of.

Where can I find the Bar Keepers Helper? I looked at Target and they don't have it.

I'll have to take a picture of the tub... I'm a little scared to sit in it. I guess I'll just have to suck it up one way or the other - no baths or sit in questionable stain. Ew, just typing that feels gross.

I know that Bed Bath and Beyond has it as does most grocery stores.