Ammonia cleansers are able to thoroughly clean any and all bathtubs and showers without causing any damage to the fiberglass. For effective cleaning of a plastic tub surround, microfiber cloths should be used. That said, you'll want to try using baby shampoo and warm water first, as this is usually the most effective cleaning method: If you're tackling tough stains, it's important to have baking soda in your cleaning arsenal. The key is to use mild cleaning solutions like vinegar, baking soda dish soap, bleach, mixer degreaser, and all-purpose cleaners for the best results. Start from the top and work your way down. Finally, flush it with water to get rid of any residue left by the acid in the lemon. Scrub until the stains disappear. Step 3. Rinse with clear water. Wipe of the excess with a clean rag. Utilizing Peroxide to Restore the Original Color of Yellowed Plastic A container should be filled with straight peroxide. How To Transfer Plant From Plastic To Pot? 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. Another tip of how to clean plastic bathtub is using your home ingredients. Make a paste using baking soda and water, the consistency of which should be comparable to that of toothpaste. Additionally, acrylic is warmer to the touch than fiberglass, and the surfaces of bathtubs made of acrylic are smoother than those made of fiberglass. Don't assume enamel and fiberglass tub cleaners and polishes are suitable for plastic as well. Video of the Day Step 2 Move the shower curtain and any fabric items such as bath mats, towels and washcloths, into a safe location. Spread out a drop cloth over the tub, floor, and fixtures. A Guide to Cleaning an Extremely Soiled Plastic Bathtub First, take a pail and fill it with half a gallon of hot water. Your email address will not be published. 5. Dont worry! When you clean your bathtub, you should start by emptying your bathtub. 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. But it should be used carefully as it can damage some surfaces if not handled properly. Victorian Plumbing recommends mixing 100 ml of vinegar with 30 ml of lemon juice and half a cup of baking soda to form a paste. 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. Spray purified or ordinary tap water onto the cleaning powder. Utilizing Peroxide to Restore the Original Color of Yellowed Plastic A container should be filled with straight peroxide. That said, you'll want to try using baby shampoo and warm water first, as this is usually the most effective cleaning method: Begin by wetting the bathtub and pouring a few drops of shampoo on a damp rag. Mix dishwasher detergent and water into the bathtub or bucket. Baking soda. Otherwise, you could get sick and potentially make other members of your family sick as well. Baking soda is another great go-to cleaner for plastic tub surrounds. Lemon water 6. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. Either spray white vinegar all over the tub surround with a spray bottle or soak a cloth in the vinegar, then rub it over the surfaces of the tub before washing it out. How to Clean Vinyl Tub Enclosures | Home Guides | SF Gate [1] Avoid abrasive cleansers like scouring powders. Steer clear of steel wool, scouring pads, and melamine sponges can scratch the surface. By cleaning regularly, you can control the growth of microbes and remove bad odors. Spray the floor of the cage after beginning at the top and working your way down. Itll foam, so scrub it all over using a sponge or brush. After it has dried, use an old toothbrush and some warm water to gently scrub this mixture (and the limescale) away. Steel Wool: A steel wool pad in particular is especially damaging as its coarseness makes it too abrasive even when trying to remove tough grime. Apply the paste to the stained area and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. Wet a soft nylon brush with warm water. Whether your tub surround needs a basic wipe down or a significant scrubbing with a heavy-duty bathtub cleaner, there's no getting around the physical effort involved. Plastic tub surrounds usually wipe clean easily because they feature a smooth surface with no grout lines to collect dirt. 3 Right Methods: How to Clean Hands After Touching Raw Chicken, 10 Smart Ideas: How to Dispose of Concrete. 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. 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. After spraying or wiping the bleach over the surfaces, you should follow up with a water rinse. How to Clean a Fiberglass Tub Surround | DoItYourself.com Step 3. Required fields are marked *. 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. Mild dish soap can also be used to clean the plastic tub surround as it is gentle yet effective for removing dirt and grime. Doing so will loosen soaps and other products, facilitating the cleaning process. They can do a wide range of things: removing grease and grime, removing rust, and so on. Dish soap, preferably Dawn or your preferred brand, Cleaner for the Bathroom and the Kitchen by CLR. 3 Ways to Clean a Fiberglass Tub - wikiHow The key to keeping it that way is through daily shower maintenance. Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. 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. What Part Of The Mantle Bends Like Plastic? You should use soft cloths such as microfiber or terry towels, sponges, or rags when cleaning a plastic tub enclosure. How to Remove Yellowing From Plastic Bathtubs | Hunker Dishwashing detergent. Alternatively, use a nonabrasive tub and shower cleaner. If you want to use a commercial product, consider all-purpose cleaners or bathroom-specific cleaners. Turn the water off. Turn on the shower and direct the flow of water to the walls. Plastic tub surrounds often have a smooth surface that is easy to clean with a damp cloth since there are no grout lines to trap debris in the surface. Chlorine destroys stains by further dissolving them into smaller particles that will then be easier to flush or scrub off. 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. The most recent accessory to be added to your collection of tools for cleaning glass is Mr. Do you want to get rid of all that unattractive residue? Using a scrubbing brush, scrub the tub until its cleaned. The Process of Cleaning Your Shower The Grime on the Tray. 2. Wait 15 minutes for the chlorine to work on the stain. You might let the vinegar or bleach sit on the surfaces for 15 or more minutes before scrubbing and rinsing for extra cleansing power. Hydrogen peroxide produced more oxygen than plain water does, which is why its often used to unclog drains and toilets. Continue reading below Our Video of the Day. Rinse cleaning. Gently spray the tub and shower walls so that all surfaces are covered with the bathroom cleaner. 6 Tips: How to Dispose of Fireworks Like a Pro! Mix baking soda with water to make the paste, then sprinkle it into the bathtub especially in the stained area. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to CleanCurious! Make a paste of equal parts cleanser powder and water. Let us share all the details on how to keep your plastic tub looking as good as new. Apply an auto whiting polish to the surround with a clean cloth. Vinegar, dish soap, bleach solution, DIY degreaser, baking soda, and all-purpose cleaners are some of the best ways to clean a plastic tub surround. Create a paste for cleaning the bathtub by mixing one part baking soda with two parts hydrogen peroxide (or cream of tartar). Therefore it should always be avoided when cleaning any type of plastic tub surround surface. Apply this paste to the affected areas of your tub or shower enclosure and then leave it for around an hour to really work at the limescale. Mix an ounce in a gallon of water and scrub with a sponge or plastic scrubbing pad. They have the potential to leave behind residues that could harm the material. Terry cloth towels also have some absorbency but need to be replaced more frequently than microfiber cloths do, as they deteriorate quickly with washing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Repeat this procedure until the tub is clean. Melamine Sponges: As for melamine sponges, while their softness prevents them from causing deep scratches like steel wool does. This particular one is quite easy to understand. 2 Rinse the tub with water. By emptying the tub first, you will be able to access all the corners of your bathtub and clean it thoroughly. Your email address will not be published. Call a professional cleaner You have to read this! Rub the whiting into any scratched areas on the surround, then wipe off the excess. They are gentle on the surface of the plastic tub, so no damage will be caused by using them. Here you will learn more about how to clean a plastic bathtub. Use a hammer and chisel to remove the rounded tiles from the top of the tub surround. Definitely dont use commercial abrasive cleaning products or solvents either. This will help to effectively remove the yellowing from the plastic and leave it with a white finish. Chlorine could be an effective solution for getting rid of those stains from the bathtub. Warm up around 100 milliliters of white vinegar in the microwave until it is hot. When you are cleaning, you should make use of a sponge or towel that is not abrasive.Surfaces can be scratched or damaged when using a sponge with a rough surface.To avoid the accumulation of soap scum and dirt, clean the shower once per week with a gentle cleaner and water.Wet & Forget Shower is a weekly shower cleanser that does not require scrubbing and is kind to surfaces made of acrylic and fiberglass. With the addition of moisture, the powder will take on a thick, foamy consistency. How To Clean Textured Fiberglass or Plastic Shower Floor - YouTube Acrylic bathtubs are typically available in a wider variety of colors than fiberglass bathtubs, which are typically only available in white. Finish by rinsing the bathtub completely. Dirt comes to all of your furniture including the bathtub. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. If the paint spill is relatively fresh, you might be able to get rid of a good amount of it by flushing the spill with hot water. Spray the tub surround with the cleaner. Allow it to set for up to one hour. 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. Their uneven texture can still lead to light scratching which ruins the appearance of a smooth finish on a bathtub surrounding area. Next, add one tablespoon of a gentle liquid dish detergent to the pail. The fourth step is to wipe away. Applying the paste to the yellowed surroundings will help. Just make sure to choose a cleaning liquid made for plastic bathtubs, in case the chemical in the cleaning liquid is not compatible with plastic. Step 1 Remove fabric shower curtains, rugs and spare towels from the bathroom before cleaning the tub. Before you attempt to actually clean your fiberglass tub surround, rinse the material with clean water. If the dirt is particularly stubborn and difficult to remove, it may be wise to use something more abrasive like a terry cloth towel. Alternative cleaning products suitable for use on a plastic tub surround include dish soap, white vinegar and household bleach. To loosen grime and remove oils from the skin, scrub the entire bathtub with the soapy nylon sponge. Once done scrubbing, use clean water to wash away any residual soap residue. Be sure to thoroughly combine the dish soap and the water. Even while removing the tub surround from the wall isnt particularly challenging, doing so may result in substantial damage to the wall that lies behind it.The correct approach to removing a tub surround may be laborious and time-consuming, but it is the only way to assure that the surround will be removed with as little damage as possible.Put on goggles, long sleeves, trousers, and work gloves before beginning the job.