If you have a plastic bathtub, you may find some of its stains annoying and hard to remove. They may be small but they can spoil the look of your bathtub. Fortunately, this is something that you can fix yourself at home with just a little bit of effort and patience. If there are mildew or mold stains, some bleach will do the trick. However, if it’s scorch marks or dye stains caused by cosmetics or hair dye, things get slightly more challenging. These stubborn stains require an extra step in cleaning up. Here are some tips on how to clean plastic bathtub stains effectively.
How To Clean Plastic Bathtub Stains
Clean plastic bathtub stains with a toothbrush
This is probably the easiest way to remove a stain from your plastic bathtub. Once you have scrubbed the stain thoroughly, you will notice that it won’t leave any marks on the surface of the tub. However, this method is only useful if it’s mildew or mold stains that need to be removed. If you want to clean scorch marks or dye stains, and there are no other solutions available, then this step is not for you.
Clean plastic bathtub stains with hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can be used to remove stubborn stains from your plastic bathtub. The process may take some time but it’s worth it in order to get rid of those annoying marks that ruin the look of your tub. It can also work for the deep-set discoloration caused by oxidization or peroxides in hair dye, which may result in discoloration in other parts of your bathroom as well. You can use a mixture of half hydrogen peroxide and half water for this step. However, be careful when using hydrogen peroxide since it can cause damage if not used properly and at recommended levels.
Clean plastic bathtub stains with baking soda
Baking soda is a good cleaner and can be used to clean plastic bathtub stains as well. It can also help you remove stubborn stains that have been there for a long time. However, it may not be the best choice if you want to remove dye or scorch marks because it will only work on those types of stains. In order to use this method, mix one tablespoon of baking soda with two tablespoons of water and scrub the stain thoroughly. This method is not only suitable for cleaning plastic bathtubs but also for removing dirt from other surfaces such as sinks, toilets, showers, and tiles.
Clean plastic bathtub stains with vinegar
Vinegar is another effective cleaner that you can use to clean your tub but it may not work on those stubborn stains that are created by bleach or dye. It will work better on mildew and mold stains since it’s a natural disinfectant that kills bacteria and fungi in the air as well as in your home. You should mix one tablespoon of vinegar with two tablespoons of water and apply this mixture directly onto the stain using a damp cloth or sponge until all the liquid gets absorbed into the stain itself. Then wash away all traces of vinegar using water using a washcloth or sponge until no more traces are visible on your tub’s surface.
Clean plastic bathtub stains with white vinegar
White vinegar can also be used to clean plastic bathtub stains. However, you must use a bit more than one tablespoon of it when using this method since it will not work on any stubborn stains that are created by bleach or dye. It can also work for removing discoloration caused by oxidization or peroxides in hair dye, which may result in discoloration in other parts of your bathroom as well. You should mix two tablespoons of white vinegar with one tablespoon of water and apply this mixture onto the stain using a damp cloth or sponge until all the liquid gets absorbed into the stain itself. Then wash away all traces of vinegar using water using a washcloth or sponge until no more traces are visible on your tub’s surface.
Scrubbing For Scorch Marks
- You should first know what type of stain you have. It is important to know the cause of the stain so that you can treat it appropriately.
- Begin by scrubbing the stains with a sponge and an abrasive liquid cleaner. You can pick any one of the following.
- Definitely don’t use bleach on these stains because it will just make them worse, especially if it is a dye stain from hair dye or cosmetics. Instead, use mild liquid dishwashing soap and a sponge to scrub the stains for about 5-10 minutes until they become lighter in color before rinsing off with some hot water and vinegar mixture (1:1 ratio). Wait for at least five minutes before you scrub again to avoid any further damage to them.
- If they are scorch marks, you can use a cloth soaked in vinegar or baking soda solution (1:1 ratio) to gently remove them by rubbing them gently with the cloth until they fade away completely. You may need to repeat this step several times before they are completely gone, but make sure not to get too close where your fingers might be burned by the bleach or other chemicals used in cleaning products as this may cause more damage than good!
- Once your tub has been cleaned thoroughly, rinse it off with warm water and dry it well with a clean towel or cloth so that there are no residual stains left on your tub’s surface and mold won’t grow back easily in the future when you use it again.
Drying By Using A Fan
- First of all, you can try using a hair dryer to dry the stains. Just put it on the highest setting and let it blow away the water. However, this is not efficient enough for stubborn stains such as scorch marks or dye stains.
- Another effective method is to use a fan to blow the water away from your tub. You can do this by turning on the air conditioner or placing it next to your bathtub and turning on the fan. However, make sure that you don’t set up your bathtub too close to an air conditioner as this will cause a lot of noise and trouble with your neighbors!
- Another way is by using a blow dryer or air hose attached to an electric fan or an oscillating fan. Just lay it across the tub and turn on both the blow dryer and fan at high speed while wearing protective gloves to avoid injury from the hot metal parts of the machine. This method is effective in removing stains caused by soap scum, bleach, soot, dye, and mildew stains but not for scorch marks which are more stubborn than others.
- Finally, you can use a chemical cleaner like Comet or Ajax. If you have access to these chemical cleaners then go ahead and use them if they are available in your area; otherwise, go ahead with a chemical solution such as vinegar or lemon juice which works just as well without any side effects!
Dye Stain Remover: Oxidizing Agent
- First of all, you will want to take a look at the stain. If it’s just a dye mark caused by hair dye, you can use an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide to remove it. Apply the solution directly to the stain and let it sit for several minutes. Then rinse off with water and dry with a towel.
- If the stain is scorch marks or discoloration caused by bleach or other chemicals, you will need to use an oxidizing agent that is safe for plastic surfaces such as baking soda or peroxide. You can also use oxalic acid which is used in pet urine removal and can be found in pet stores.
- Place some of the substance on a sponge or cloth and rub gently into the stain until it begins to disappear completely. Rinse with water occasionally if necessary until the stain completely disappears or no longer looks like one at all.
- To remove any residue left behind after removing bleach stains from your bathtub, wipe down with white vinegar and then dry thoroughly Afterwards, apply a coat of wax polish to protect your bathtub from future stains.
Conclusion
The best way to clean plastic bathtubs is by removing the source of the stains and then cleaning them up with a bleach solution. If that doesn’t work, use a more specialized method for a particular stain. If you want to keep your bathtub looking nice, it’s important to keep it clean by removing the source of the stains regularly. Bathtubs are usually made of plastic because of their low cost and durability. However, they can get stained easily if they aren’t kept clean. The best way to clean a plastic bathtub is to use a bleach solution because it is effective at removing stains.
