Does Baking Soda Clean Bathtubs?

Soaking in a bathtub is one way to destress from a long day. Whether you enjoy the bathtub every day or occasionally, keeping it clean can keep your bath more refreshing. So what should you use to clean your bathtub? Does baking soda clean bathtubs?

You can clean your bathtub correctly with a simple product like baking soda. Baking soda is known as a “scratchless” abrasive suitable for most surfaces. It removes dirt, stains, and foul odor and brightens surfaces. 

Ready to make your bathtub sparkling clean? Let’s begin.

How Does Baking Soda Clean Bathtubs?

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Beyond making your baked goods light and fluffy, it also acts as an alkaline cleaner. Once put in a dirty bathtub, it will react with stains to create glycerol, a natural cleansing agent found in soaps. 

Also, if baking soda is mixed with vinegar, the mixture will release carbon dioxide to form acid or a weak alkali. The result will make the bathtub even brighter and eliminate foul odor. 

Why Do Bathtubs Have Dark Stains?

Knowing how stains form in your tub will help ease your dirty bathtub problem. The bathtub or shower, in general, is vulnerable to dark stains. These stains come from dissolved minerals or iron in your water that react with oxygen. When they settle on your tub, stains will form.

Fortunately, these stains are not hard to remove. Keeping a cleaning schedule will help eliminate them. And using baking soda will also help because it’s a natural alkaline cleaner.

How Often Should a Bathtub be Cleaned?

It is recommended to clean your bathtub every week, and deep cleaning should be done monthly. When you clean weekly or even monthly, household staples like baking soda, vinegar, and lemon will do the trick. 

However, if you wait longer than that you may need a stronger cleaning product like Miracle II Soap.

How to Make a Bathtub Clean with Baking Soda?

Sometimes harsh chemicals can be found in commercial cleaners that may damage your bathtub. Bathtubs are expensive, so you want to keep them safe as possible. The good thing is that baking soda is a non-toxic cleaner that can tackle bathtub rings and even the toughest stains.

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda
• Dish soap
• Warm water
• Scrub brush or sponge
• Bucket
• Dry terry cloth (optional)

Instructions

1. Fill a bucket with hot water. Hot water will make the cleaning process more manageable. Remove any leftover debris from the bathtub.
2. Sprinkle the baking soda all over the tub. It will clean away dirt, mold, mildew, or stains.
3. Now, fill the bucket with more hot water and dish soap. Slowly pour the water with dish soap and start scrubbing the tub. Continue using the remaining water to rinse away stains already washed or if you need, do another round of cleaning.
4. Rinse the bathtub with a showerhead or fill the empty bucket with water to clean the tub thoroughly.
5. Dry the tub with a clean terry cloth, or leave it for a few minutes to dry. You can also utilize this method to clean your bathroom tiles, faucet, or toilet. 

Can Vinegar and Baking Soda Clean Bathtubs?

You need a more powerful cleaning mixture if the bathtub has stubborn stains, mold, or mildew. Baking soda and vinegar can loosen mineral deposits and eliminate soap scum. Follow these steps to make your bathtub even cleaner.

Things you’ll need:

• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Water
• Spray bottle
• Sponge 
• Clean cloth

Instructions:

1. Dilute the vinegar. To do it, mix the vinegar and water. Make sure that they are in equal parts. 
2. Put the mixture into a spray bottle and use it to clean the area of the tub that has hard mineral build-up. Let it sit for about 30 minutes. This is when the magic happens. The acetic acid will break down dirt or oil compounds.
3. Sprinkle the baking soda all over the tub. You can also put the baking soda first on the sponge or clean cloth and use it to dampen the stained area. Leave the baking soda and vinegar for a few minutes to sit.
4. Scrub the tub gently to remove the dirt, mineral deposits, or soap scum altogether.
5. Rinse the tub with water and leave it to dry. You can also wipe the tub with a clean terry cloth to speed up the drying process.

Can Lemon and Baking Soda Clean Bathtubs?

Lemon is another common household ingredient that can be used for cleaning bathtubs. It helps eliminate hard water deposits and soap scum. It’s also great for removing stains because of its natural bleaching qualities.

Here’s how you can use lemon with baking soda to make your bathtub sparkling clean:

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda
• Lemon
• Water
• Bucket (optional)
• Scrubbing brush or microfiber cloth
• Dry clean cloth (optional)

Instructions:

1. Pour water into the tub using the showerhead, or fill it in manually with a bucket of water. Remove any leftover debris from the bathtub.
2. Make a cleaning paste by combining lemon juice with baking soda. Apply the mixture to the tub and leave it for about 5 to 10 minutes. 
3. Fill the tub with a depth of 2 to 3 inches of hot water. 
4. Scrub the bathtub with a scrubbing brush or microfiber cloth to clean away stains and baking soda residue. 
5. Drain the tub or remove the water from it. 
6. Rinse the bathtub with hot and clean water. Leave the tub or use a dry clean terry cloth to dry.

What type of Bathtub Can I use Baking Soda On?

Bathtubs are made from different materials. Hence, when it comes to cleaning a tub, each should not be treated alike. For instance, stone resin tubs react differently once you put baking soda on them. An abrasive cleaner like baking soda may damage this kind of tub.

The bathtub table below shows which cleaning and household products to use for cleaning them and which ones to avoid.

Bathtub Material
Cleaners to Use
Cleaners to Avoid


Fiberglass
Baking soda
White vinegar
Anything non-abrasive
Ammonia
Bleach
Abrasive scrubber


Porcelain
Baking soda
Ammonia
Anything non-acidic or non-abrasive
Bleach
Abrasive scrubber
White vinegar


Acrylic
Baking soda
White vinegar
Anything non-abrasive or non-acidic
Ammonia
Bleach
Abrasive scrubber


Ceramic
Baking soda
White vinegar
Anything non-abrasive
Ammonia
Bleach
Abrasive cleaner


Stoner Resin
Bleach
Ammonia
Medium-strength surface cleaner
Baking Soda
White vinegar


Marble
Baking soda
Ammonia
Medium-strength surface cleaner
Bleach
White vinegar


Copper
Baking Soda
Ammonia
Bleach
Abrasive scrubber
White vinegar
Any corrosive cleaner

Bathtub Cleaning Tips

Cleaning a bathtub takes time, but once it becomes routine, the job may only take 10 minutes. To ease the hassle of deep cleaning the tub, these tips and tricks may be of great help.

• You may squat or kneel on the floor while cleaning the tub. However, the job should not be that painful. Place a pad or folded towel to protect your knees.
• Stubborn stain? Make a baking soda paste (soda and water) and apply it to the affected area. Leave the paste for about an hour to set, and wipe it once dry.
• Drain problems? Sprinkle some baking soda down the drain, then pour some vinegar. After the bubbling effect, flush the drain with hot water.
• If you’re cleaning the entire bathroom, save the bathtub for last.
• Use a mesh drain catcher to keep the bathtub drain clear and clean.

Conclusion

Cleaning a bathtub is not everyone’s cup of tea. But you must do it if no one in the household can or hire someone to do it. But once you make cleaning the tub a routine, the job won’t be that tough anymore. Plus, a clean bathtub will make soaking in it more relaxing for you and the whole family.

If you are interested in learning what else baking soda can do for your home, check out our post – Does Baking Soda Remove Moisture?