QA

Question: How To Clean Plastic Bathtub Stains

Many experts suggest a paste of dish soap and baking soda left for at least an hour on stubborn stains and rinsed with vinegar and hot water. For particularly stubborn stains, you can try wetting a stained surface with hot water and then sprinkle on cream of tartar to create a paste.

How do I get my plastic tub white again?

Combine 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Alternatively, use a nonabrasive tub and shower cleaner. Spray the tub surround with the cleaner. Scrub clean with a rag.

What is the best cleaner for plastic bathtubs?

For cleaning your plastic bathtub, rubbing alcohol is the best you can use. To clean your tub, start by flushing it out with hot water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, rub or wipe the surface of the tub with some rubbing alcohol on a wet paper towel or cotton ball to remove stains or mildew.

How do you remove black stains from a plastic bathtub?

For Red or Black Stains, Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide. Use the brightening power of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to remove tough red or black stains. Do not use this method on an acrylic tub—it may scratch the surface. Mix two parts baking soda and one part hydrogen peroxide to form a paste.

Can you make yellowed plastic white again?

Fill a sink with an 8:1 water to bleach mix. Put on some gloves. Submerge the plastic in the bleach. Soak until white again.

How do you remove yellow stains from plastic tub?

Apply baking soda-hydrogen peroxide paste over tough yellow stains. Wait for 10-15 minutes until the DIY cleaning solution loosens tough yellow stains. Rub the affected area with sponge and then rinse the bathtub with clean water.

How do I know if my tub is fiberglass or acrylic?

Look around the tub’s edges and see if it appears thinner; this could be an indication that it is acrylic. Acrylic tubs usually come in more colors than fiberglass tubs, as fiberglass tubs are commonly white. Acrylic also feels warmer to the touch than fiberglass, and tubs made of acrylic have smoother finishes.

Can you use bleach on plastic bathtub?

Many acrylic tub manufacturers warn against using bleach or other abrasive cleaners as this “may void the warranty” on your bathtub. So, no matter what type of cleaner you prefer, make sure to use a soft cloth or a squeegee to avoid damaging your tub’s finish.

How do you clean a plastic shower tub?

Ammonia cleaners will effectively clean all tubs and showers without damaging fiberglass. Many experts suggest a paste of dish soap and baking soda left for at least an hour on stubborn stains and rinsed with vinegar and hot water.

How do I remove stains from my acrylic tub?

Cleaning an Acrylic Bathtub Scatter baking soda or mild cleaning product throughout the tub and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes. Use a damp cloth or sponge to scrub the baking soda into the tub and faucets. Use a bristle brush to capture dirt in corners and along the bathtub edges. Rinse the tub and wipe clean.

How do you clean a textured plastic bathtub?

Apply a gentle-abrasive, cream-based cleanser with added bleach to a tub that is cleaned every week or two. A thick paste of baking soda and water is another option. With either cleanser, rub it into the tub bottom in small circles using a clean sponge. Rinse and repeat if necessary.

How does hydrogen peroxide whiten plastic?

Whitening process. The reverse process uses commonly available 6% or 12% hydrogen peroxide and UV light as catalyst (can be common UVA bulb or even simple sunlight) to activate the whitening reaction. Ultraviolet light bombarding hydrogen peroxide generate very active hydroxyl and restore the original color.

Does hydrogen peroxide destroy plastic?

When it comes to reducing the germs in your home and containing the spread of coronavirus, hydrogen peroxide is a good option to use on inanimate surfaces like metal, glass, and plastic, says Alex Berezow, PhD and vice president of scientific communications at the American Council on Science and Health.

How do you make yellow plastic clear again?

Baking Soda Scrub Make a paste of baking soda and water, and then wet the yellowed plastic. Dip a toothbrush, scrub pad or scrub brush into the paste, and scrub the affected areas. It may take several tries to lighten the plastic completely.

Why did my tub turn yellow after bleaching?

Household bleach is an alkaline material and consequently will precipitate iron out of water. It sounds like that’s what happened since iron stains are rust colored.

Is my shower plastic or fiberglass?

Looking closely at the edges of your tub, thin edges could mean fiberglass, while thicker edges could indicate acrylic. Another tip to rule out cast iron as a material, hold a magnet to the side and see if it sticks. If it does not stick, you most likely have either fiberglass or acrylic.

How can you tell plastic from fiberglass?

Although fiberglass also looks like plastic, it is actually not a type of plastic. The main difference between fiberglass and plastic is that fiberglass is inorganic whereas plastic is organic.

How do you clean an acrylic tub without scratching it?

When it’s time to clean, always use a terry cloth towel, soft cloth or sponge to avoid scratching the acrylic surface. Don’t use abrasive scrubbing pads, steel wool or sponges, cause permanent damage to the acrylic material.

How do you remove rust stains from plastic shower stalls?

Soak cleaning rags or paper towels in vinegar. Place the vinegar-soaked towel over rust stains for 10 to 15 minutes. Wipe clean to remove the stain.

Can I use Mr Clean Magic Eraser on acrylic?

In general, if you have an acrylic tub, it’s best to use non-abrasive cleaners such as dish soap, Clorox wipes, or a mixture of vinegar and water. Do not try bleach or abrasive cleaners like steel wool on the tub. However, the Magic Eraser from Mr. Clean® is a safe option as long as you are gentle when scrubbing.

Is vinegar safe for acrylic tub?

To gently clean your acrylic tub, you can use natural products like vinegar, baking soda and lemon. You can also buy commercial cleaners designed for acrylic tubs. Remember to clean the tile area above your acrylic tub, so the space will really shine.