how to clean plastic tub surround

Step 1. Cleaning liquid, or bathroom cleaner, is a very common cleaning agent. You never know what bacteria could breed in the damp and humid surfaces in these areas. Commercial all-purpose cleaners are typically safe to use on plastic tub surrounds as they are formulated specifically for this purpose. A mixture of water and vinegar. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After letting it sit for several minutes, use a soft cloth or sponge dipped in warm water and gently scrub away at the stain until it has been removed. Step 3. Homemade cleansers, such as a combination of baking soda and water or trisodium phosphate and water, are another option that does not pose any health risks. Give your plastic tub enclosures a sparkling clean finish with vinegar. How to Restore Shine to Plastic Bathtubs and Shower Enclosures To begin this process, you will need to prepare the mixture by combining one part vinegar and one part baking soda together in a bowl. The bubbles produced by hydrogen peroxide also make it more efficient at removing dirty stains than using just water would. How to Caulk a Tub Surround (DIY) - Family Handyman If you want the best result, you can mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda. Oven cleaner: let sit for one hour. You don't necessarily need to rule out use of enamel or fiberglass tub cleaner and polish nor heavy-duty bathtub cleaners, as there's a chance they are safe to use on plastic too. 3 Step 3. After waiting an hour, use a towel or sponge to massage the area. Some of the best bathtub cleaners without scrubbing are effective, but others will need to be used with some scrubbing action, especially if the surround is visibly dirty or stained. Apply a light coat of white auto cream wax to the entire surround with a cotton cloth. You can also wet a clean sponge or washcloth and use it to rub in the cleaner until it thickens. Start from the top and work your way down. Diluted bleach is another great option for cleaning bathtub surrounds. Mix baking soda with water to make the paste, then sprinkle it into the bathtub especially in the stained area. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Rinse and wipe clean after 30 minutes or an hour after applying the paste. However, the plastic, which is actually a reinforced plastic fiberglass composite, can develop yellowing as it ages. The use of a magic eraser, according to a number of individuals, is the only approach that is capable of effectively cleaning a fiberglass shower. Along with choosing the right type of bathtub for your home, it's crucial to know how to properly clean the type of tub you have or else you risk potentially making things worse. Acrylic or plastic bathtubs and tub surrounds call for nonabrasive cleaning products only. Check the bathtub for any mineral deposits or soap scum that may still be there. Bathroomer: How to Clean Plastic Bathtubs and Keep Them White as New, Family Handyman: How to Clean Bathtub Stains. Itll foam, so scrub it all over using a sponge or brush. Spray, turn the exhaust fan on and close the door behind you. Your email address will not be published. Wipe gently and slowly and dont apply pressure or use any sharp and hard objects and materials to rub the tub. These scuff marks are difficult to repair and could end up making your bathroom look even dirtier. A mixture of water and vinegar. Wear your protective gear By emptying the tub first, you will be able to access all the corners of your bathtub and clean it thoroughly. There are a variety of commercial bathroom cleaners that are suitable for use on vinyl tub enclosures, including dish soap, laundry detergent, soft gel or cream cleansers that are not abrasive, and many others. Spread baking soda or a gentle cleaning agent over the entirety of the bathtub, then wait anywhere from five to ten minutes for it to take effect. You may remove the yellowing from the plastic that lines your tub by utilizing items from both your own house and from a hardware shop. Step 2. Dish soap, preferably Dawn or your preferred brand, Cleaner for the Bathroom and the Kitchen by CLR. The use of a paste made of dish soap and baking soda, which should be kept on the stain for at least an hour before being washed out with vinegar and hot water, is recommended by a number of specialists. White distilled vinegar: fill a spray bottle with full-strength vinegar; let it stay there for a few minutes, and then scrub it off. How To Remove A Tub Surround With Adhesive (Step-by-Step Guide) Let it sit for about 10 minutes. Call a professional cleaner You have to read this! Despite pricey natural stone or tile with difficult-to-clean grout lines, Acrylic has a smooth surface that complements any look and feels and is easy to clean. It can be really frustrating to attempt to clean the bathtub yourself. By staying on top of your cleaning regimen, you can prolong the time in between deep cleans too. Simply pour some white vinegar into a spray bottle and spritz it over the greasy tub surface. The whiting and wax fill scratches and whiten the surround. In fact, white vinegar is often used as an all-natural cleaner for removing mildew from surfaces like bathtubs and shower surrounds made of plastic materials. How to Clean and Restore Shine to a Fiberglass Tub | Hunker Applying the paste to the yellowed surroundings will help. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to CleanCurious! Tools you should never use include steel wool, scouring pads and melamine sponges. Combine 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. This makes them feel rather uninviting and can give your entire bathroom an old, worn-out vibe. You can repeat this process as often as needed until your tub is shiny and sparkling clean. Step 1. Pick up some painter's tape and use it to mask off the seam to help make cleaning up easier. Step 2. Repeat this procedure until the tub is clean. Scrub with a brush until the stain is gone. Step 1 - Heat vinegar. The key to keeping it that way is through daily shower maintenance. 5 Step 5. Mix an ounce in a gallon of water and scrub with a sponge or plastic scrubbing pad. Spray purified or ordinary tap water onto the cleaning powder. Cleaning a plastic bathtub is a different process than cleaning a porcelain or fiberglass tub. The fourth step is to wipe away. Rinse the soiled sponge in the water many times throughout the cleaning process to avoid spreading dirt back onto the bathtub. Don't pry the caulk with the scraper because you could break off the razor blade. Mild dish soap can also be used to clean the plastic tub surround as it is gentle yet effective for removing dirt and grime. They have the potential to leave behind residues that could harm the material. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Chlorine destroys stains by further dissolving them into smaller particles that will then be easier to flush or scrub off. Soft rags or scrubbers may also be used as needed but should only do so if absolutely necessary- these tools can leave scratches if not handled properly so caution should be taken when using them for tough stains or debris. Cleaning a tub surround can seem like a daunting task because there's generally a lot of area to cover, although the surround doesn't tend to get as dirty as the tub itself. Give it at least sixty minutes to an hour to mature. If your acrylic tub is heavily stained or dirty, consider filling the tub with hot water and vinegar. Discard the towels in a trash bag. Applying the paste to the yellowed surroundings will help. Remove any signs of mildew from silicone caulking surrounding the tub enclosure by rubbing it with a cloth dipped into a solution of 3-parts vinegar to 1-part water. Using a scrubbing brush, scrub the tub until its cleaned. Then use a damp rag to scrub away the baking soda and rinse the tub. Apply the Paste. They will come to your home and give it a quick thorough cleaning! After that, spray the solution over the glass door of your shower and allow it to rest for a few minutes. The chemical reaction will continue until the stain is almost entirely gone. Wet a clean cloth with the soapy solution and use it to wash your newly whitened tub surround. Alternatively, use a nonabrasive tub and shower cleaner. 5 Step 5. How to Remove Yellowing From Plastic Bathtubs | Hunker Then, use a scouring brush to scrub off the moldy spots. You should use soft cloths such as microfiber or terry towels, sponges, or rags when cleaning a plastic tub enclosure. Then, mix vinegar with water into a spray bottle and spray it on the stained area of your bathtub. Step 4. Wet & Forget Shower is a weekly shower cleanser that does not require scrubbing and is kind to surfaces made of acrylic and fiberglass. Then, flush with water to clean it all up. 3 Remedies for Yellowing Bathtubs in a Mobile Home Otherwise, you could get sick and potentially make other members of your family sick as well. How to Clean the Surround of a Plastic Bathtub When cleaning a plastic tub surround with a commercial cleaner, it is important to follow the manufacturers instructions. How to Clean a Plastic Tub Surround | eHow Then, take an old toothbrush (or whatever your preferred brush is), and scrub the sides of your bathtub. Imfoto/Shutterstock. Baking soda has strong de-greasing properties that can be used to clean oil or grease stains. Instead, use a cleaner designed specifically for tubs and tiles if the tub is really grimy. Baking soda works wonders when it comes to lifting hard dirt and other stains from acrylic plastic. Step 4. Spray the tub surround with the cleaner. Irregular cleaning, chemical cleaners or a scratched, dull surface all can make the yellowing more severe. Bleach should be diluted in water with approximately equal parts of each, sprayed or wiped on the surfaces and then rinsed with water. If you're using dish soap, mix a generous squeeze of the soap into a basin of warm water; soak your cloth, sponge or other tool in the soapy water; and apply it all over the tub surround. Another tip of how to clean plastic bathtub is using your home ingredients. Harsh chemical cleaners: Harsh chemical cleaners like oven cleaner or drain cleaner are also not suitable for plastic material. Try the cleaning method that is recommended by Home Depot for stubborn stains on fiberglass before you give up on attempting to scrub away the stains: Put on a layer of a paste made from baking soda and water, then cover it with a cloth that has been soaked in vinegar. After that, spray the solution over the glass door of your shower and allow it to rest for a few minutes. Then, scrub the stain and mold away. Chlorine could be an effective solution for getting rid of those stains from the bathtub. Ammonia cleansers are able to thoroughly clean any and all bathtubs and showers without causing any damage to the fiberglass. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, choosing the right type of bathtub for your home, How to Restore Shine to Plastic Bathtubs and Shower Enclosures, How to Clean and Restore Shine to a Fiberglass Tub. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Remember, Its important to know the right way of using chemicals. Step 3 Simply combine an answer consisting of half water and half white vinegar in a spray container that has been left unfilled. Don't assume enamel and fiberglass tub cleaners and polishes are suitable for plastic as well. If you're using a commercial bathtub cleaner, especially a heavy-duty bathtub cleaner or household bleach, always wear protective gloves and ideally open bathroom windows and doors for ventilation. Required fields are marked *. They also wont harm the surface of the tub, so it can remain scratch-free during cleaning. Step 3. Once clean, a thin coat of either cream peroxide or tartar should be applied evenly to the entire surface of the plastic. Scouring Powders: Abrasive cleaners such as scouring powders should not be used on any kind of plastic surface as they can cause scratches or damage to the material. Step 1 Remove fabric shower curtains, rugs and spare towels from the bathroom before cleaning the tub. If your bathtub is made of plastic, you should steer clear of cleaning solutions that include acids or alkalis.The use of strong chemicals such as bleach, acetone, paint thinner, and cleaners packaged in aerosol cans is not recommended when cleaning acrylic plastic tubs.If bleach is not diluted, it has the potential to deteriorate plastic bathtubs, despite the fact that it is an extremely efficient disinfectant. Moisten the eraser sponge with hot water and scrub. Solvents: Its really important to remember not to use solvents like mineral spirits, acetone and turpentine on any type of plastic surface. The third step is to spray the mixture. The walls of the shower should be sprayed with the vinegar and water cleaning, and a suitable amount should be applied.Give the solution at least half an hour to take effect before interrupting it.Leave it alone for up to an hour in order to remove more stubborn hard water stains and soap scum accumulation.Before you rinse the area, clean it with a dry microfiber towel using a gentle scrubbing motion. Moisten the brush with fresh water as needed. 5. Its acidic substances can help to remove stubborn dirt, soap scum, and other debris from the surface. A Guide to Cleaning an Extremely Soiled Plastic Bathtub First, take a pail and fill it with half a gallon of hot water. The piece of plastic should be placed inside the container. Less than $20 Step 1: Remove the old caulk and clean the joint Photo 1: Loosen the old caulk Push a razor scraper in all the way under both edges of the old caulk bead to release its grip. When you are cleaning, you should make use of a sponge or towel that is not abrasive. Before attempting this process, the plastic should be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Dish soap 8. Spray the soapy mixture onto the plastic tub surround and let it sit for at least five minutes before scrubbing. No scrubbing necessary.Spray your tub with a capful of Formula 101 mixed with water, give it a wipe, rinse, and then you will see an unbelievable shine!Want to see what else Formula 101 works great on?Visit http://formula101.tv to see powerful natural cleaning in action. These usually come in the form of spray-on coatings. Baking soda is another great go-to cleaner for plastic tub surrounds. After spraying the vinegar at full power on the stains and allowing it to sit for a few minutes, scrub the area to remove the vinegar.