Here are the best bathtub cleaners of 2021

Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing is even more inexpensive than hiring the pros, but you will end up with an inferior finish that is more likely to peel. ​You can buy DIY kits that include a quart of epoxy with hardener, latex gloves, steel wool, brush, cleaning solution, cleaner/thinner, and safety goggles.

Get the gunk off old enameled bathtubs and sinks by applying a paste of 2 parts baking soda and 1 part hydrogen peroxide. Let the paste set for about half an hour. Then give it a good scrubbing and rinse well; the paste will also sweeten your drain as it washes down. See more uses for Baking Soda.

• Best bathtub cleaner overall: Mr.
• Best bathtub cleaner for hard water and rust stains: CLR Pro Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover.
• Best bathtub cleaner for mold and mildew: Clorox Plus Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover.
• Best electric bathtub scrubber: Homitt Electric Spin Scrubber.

HOW TO REMOVE TOUGH STAINS

1. Make a bathtub cleaner paste of one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts baking soda (or cream of tartar).
2. Rub the paste on the stain and let stand for 30 minutes to one hour, then wipe and rinse.
3. If necessary, repeat until the stain is gone.

Hydrogen Peroxide: fill a spray bottle with 3-percent hydrogen peroxide. Let the solution sit for 10-15 minutes and then wipe the tub down with a damp sponge. You can repeat these steps until the yellow staining disappears.

Fiberglass bathtubs may start to turn a yellowish color as a result of soap scum or hard water. These stains can be very difficult to remove. However, a mixture of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide will easily remove any stain and restore the tub to its original white color.

Acrylic tub – These tubs are created by heating and molding (vacuum forming) sheets of acrylic which are reinforced underneath with fiberglass. Since the material is non-porous it will not allow mold and mildew to build up. Color is solid through the acrylic so it won’t yellow like a fiberglass bathtub.

Pour 3 cups of white vinegar under the running water as the tub fills. Turn off the water once it covers the discolorations. Leave the vinegar and water to work on the stains for about 4 hours. Drain the water from the tub and wipe away the hard water stains with a sponge.

Enamel Bathtub Painting Cost Painting enamel onto a bathtub costs $350 to $600. Most cast iron units have an enamel coating that can chip or crack. Much like reglazing, this process includes sanding the surface and applying paint in a color of your choice.

Bleach is highly corrosive, so it’s always important to use it with caution. A white bathtub can benefit from the occasional bleach treatment, but always use it in moderation. Simply pouring undiluted bleach directly onto the bathtub surface may cause the porcelain or other material to become permanently discolored.

Best Way to Remove Tough Stains from Your Acrylic Bathtub

1. Make an eco-friendly bathtub cleaning paste using hydrogen peroxide (one part) and baking soda (two parts).
2. Then apply the paste on the stains and allow it to stand for 40 to 60 minutes.
3. Take a sponge and rub the surface and wait for another few minutes.

Acrylic is generally a much more durable material when compared to porcelain. Although porcelain tubs have a much harder surface and are more resistant to scratches when compared to acrylic, the harder surface is much more susceptible to cracks and chipping from heavy impacts.

around 10 to 15 years

Acrylic is much more durable than a fiberglass tub. The chance of an acrylic tub chipping, cracking or fading is unlikely. Fiberglass tubs can fade and get cracked and scratched over time. Both styles can be cleaned with simple cleaning solutions.

Best overall: American Standard Cambridge Integral Apron Bathtub. Best drop-in bathtub: American Standard Evolution Bathtub. Best soaking tub: Woodbridge 67-inch Freestanding Soaking Tub. Best claw-foot bathtub: Sinkology Heisenberg Copper Bathtub.

Bathtub Materials to Consider

• Plastic: Made of either fiberglass or acrylic, plastic bathtubs offer the greatest design flexibility because they can be molded into many shapes.
• Enameled steel: Formed steel bathtubs with a porcelain-enamel coating are the least expensive tubs.

Both are inexpensive choices for bathrooms that are not located on the first floor since they usually will not require extra reinforcement beneath the tub. They both also feel and look a bit like plastic. Acrylic may flex a little but not as much as a fiberglass tub.

While acrylic tubs may scratch more easily than cast iron, they’re less susceptible to chipping and the cracks may be easily repaired (a feat more complicated in cast iron tubs).

Best Overall: Kohler Bancroft 60 in. This acrylic bathtub from Kohler combines essential features with a lightweight, ergonomic design that will outfit your bathroom with a standard size 60-inch tub. The Bancroft model measures 60 x 32 x 20 inches with a soaking depth of 15 inches and molded lumbar support.

Cast iron tubs are extremely durable and require less upkeep than an acrylic tub to keep them in good shape. They should be cleaned weekly using a mixture of soap and water and a soft sponge or cloth. Acrylic tubs are very durable, but more prone to staining over time.

Although the cast iron tub is no longer as popular as it was from 1920 to the 1980s it is still the go to material for a premium bathing experience. Along with copper and steel, cast iron tubs have been used for bathing vessels since the mid 1800s.

Cast iron bathtubs have some of the best positives over many bathtubs on the market. Their only drawback is their immense weight which makes it not an ideal choice for many homes as the weight can be staggering for a bathroom to support. So make sure your home can support one before purchasing.

15 to 20 years

Because cast iron is the most durable material on the market for bathtubs, these fixtures have a very long lifespan. However, as with any household fixture, if you notice excessive damage or are at risk for lead exposure, it’s time to get rid of it.

“The material used to etch and glaze is very toxic and the customer would need to leave their house for a day or two so the house could ventilate properly,” said Vince Albachiaro, a merchant for Home Depot’s home services. Reglazing can only be performed once.

A new tub costs $200 to $14,000, depending on the material….New Tub Costs by Material.

Usually more cost-effective than swapping it for something new, refinishing a bathtub saves you the time and effort involved in a larger bathroom remodeling project. Plus, it allows you to preserve an older design, such as an antique clawfoot tub, that adds character to a bathroom but has seen better days.