When cleaning with chlorine, always wear protective gear like masks, hats, gloves, and glasses. 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. Before you rinse the area, clean it . They have the potential to leave behind residues that could harm the material. For tough stains, scrub the area with cream cleanser solutions to dissolve the stains. 2 Step 2. With your fingers or a clean, soft cloth, apply the baking soda paste over the greasy surfaces. Vinegar will not damage a plastic tub surround when used for cleaning purposes. 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. Utilizing Peroxide to Restore the Original Color of Yellowed Plastic A container should be filled with straight peroxide. These leave scratches that attract dirt and make the surround difficult to clean. The soapy solution will remove the hydrogen peroxide and laundry booster solution from the plastic. For an even more refreshing smell, you can swap out the vinegar for some lovely lemon juice. Spray the tub surround with the cleaner. Avoid steel wool, scouring pads, melamine sponges, and commercial abrasive cleaning products, along with solvents. To clean a plastic tub surround with a commercial cleaner, follow the manufacturer's directions, which will generally tell you to spray or wipe the product liberally over the surfaces, let it sit for a certain amount of time and then rinse with water. Dish soap is an effective and affordable way to clean light soap scum and dirt from a plastic tub surround. Repeat this procedure until the tub is clean. Apply the Paste. How To Paint a Tub & Shower Surround | BEFORE & AFTER FIBERGLASS REFINISHING @DIYPowerCouple Subscribe for more DIY! If you want to use a commercial product, consider all-purpose cleaners or bathroom-specific cleaners. Step 4. 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. 2. Step 3. Make sure to rinse the tub off afterward so any remaining rubbing alcohol doesnt dry onto the surface of your tub. Start from the top and work your way down. More things Step 3. 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. Give it at least sixty minutes to an hour to mature. 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. When cleaning a plastic or ABS tub enclosure there are certain products that should be avoided. I use vinegar on mine, but living alone and being neat and tidy helps, in a household with lots of people, not as easy. Step 2. These directions will typically instruct you to spray or wipe the product generously over the surfaces, then let it sit for a certain amount of time before rinsing it off with water. Allow the vinegar to sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing it away with a microfiber cloth or soft sponge. 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. Use this in the same way as you would use dish detergent. Step 1. 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. Then, take an old toothbrush (or whatever your preferred brush is), and scrub the sides of your bathtub. Gloves are optional if you're cleaning with vinegar or dish soap. 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. Required fields are marked *. Submerge a cleaning tool, such as a soft-bristled brush, into the bleach solution. To avoid the accumulation of soap scum and dirt, clean the shower once per week with a gentle cleaner and water. Spray, turn the exhaust fan on and close the door behind you. Required fields are marked *. Their caustic nature could damage the surface or, even worse, cause etching if contact with the skin occurs. Two different BKF products are used by our supporters to remove stains from the plastic containers they use.The traditional powder cleaner known as Bar Keepers Friend, as well as our MORE Spray + Foam.A recent study at a science fair demonstrated that BKF materials are safe to use on a variety of surfaces; nevertheless, it is important to note that both compounds have the potential to etch or dull some plastics. Then use a damp rag to scrub away the baking soda and rinse the tub. Cleaning liquid, or bathroom cleaner, is a very common cleaning agent. This will help to effectively remove the yellowing from the plastic and leave it with a white finish. Ammonia cleansers are able to thoroughly clean any and all bathtubs and showers without causing any damage to the fiberglass. Irregular cleaning, chemical cleaners or a scratched, dull surface all can make the yellowing more severe. 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. The acidic content in lemon water actually cleans the tub most effectively; also, the anti-bacterial property of lemon juice prevents unpleasant odor after cleaning. Acrylic bathtubs are typically available in a wider variety of colors than fiberglass bathtubs, which are typically only available in white. Dishwashing detergent. The resulting solution should then be stirred with a spoon until it is completely blended together. Wet & Forget Shower is a weekly shower cleanser that does not require scrubbing and is kind to surfaces made of acrylic and fiberglass. [1] Avoid abrasive cleansers like scouring powders. Give it at least sixty minutes to an hour to mature. The bubbles produced by hydrogen peroxide also make it more efficient at removing dirty stains than using just water would. Allow the vinegar to be absorbed by the deposits and scum for fifteen minutes. Your email address will not be published. You can repeat this process as often as needed until your tub is shiny and sparkling clean. 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. Acetone or turpentine. Mix the ingredients together until they are well combined. Use a cloth to scrub the tub and finish removing the stains. 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. But it should be used carefully as it can damage some surfaces if not handled properly. Use a caulk tool or a plastic spoon to work the sealant into the joint. Step 4 Sprinkle baking soda onto the tub's surfaces and use the wet sponge to scrub it in gently. However, Acrylic is a preferred choice for bathtub surrounds, and for a solid reason. If the stain still has a white, chalky appearance, spritz it with white vinegar diluted to the maximum amount. Scouring Pads: Scouring pads, too, could cause scratching due to their rough texture so these should not be used either. What you need to do before cleaning plastic bathtub 1. Step 3. A Guide to Cleaning an Extremely Soiled Plastic Bathtub First, take a pail and fill it with half a gallon of hot water. Here are a few tips for a quick and easy oh how to clean plastic bathtub: If you want to clean another bathroom part, you can check how to clean toilet stains or how to get rid of urine smell in bathroom article! Commercial all-purpose cleaners are typically safe to use on plastic tub surrounds as they are formulated specifically for this purpose. Its acidic substances can help to remove stubborn dirt, soap scum, and other debris from the surface. Finally, flush it with water to get rid of any residue left by the acid in the lemon. Cleaning your plastic bathtub and other surfaces in and around your bathroom is critical to your health. 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 help to sanitize the surface but should never be used in its concentrated form because it can damage the plastic surface. Vinegar that has been distilled. Required fields are marked *. 1. Scatter baking soda on all of the surfaces of the tub. Step 3. Most important, you should never use chemicals or abrasive materials on acrylic plastic. You can resurface plastic by using specialized products designed specifically for this purpose. The fourth step is to wipe away. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Chlorine is very harmful if its not handled properly. Scrub if necessary and then rinse with plain water. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Vinegar may take time to cut through grease, so it can be left for several minutes before being wiped away. The question arises of how you can safely scrub away dirt and soap scum without damaging the material. All-purpose cleaners are a great option for cleaning hard stains on plastic tub enclosures as they contain ingredients that remove grease and other stubborn stains efficiently. Don't pry the caulk with the scraper because you could break off the razor blade. Once clean, a thin coat of either cream peroxide or tartar should be applied evenly to the entire surface of the plastic. Step 1. In this video I will show you my natural, chemicals free way to clean your textured fiberglass or plastic shower floor and make it white and clean again using baking soda and white vinegar.. 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. Hydrogen Peroxide 4. 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. Head to your pantry and pull out a natural-cleaning classic white vinegar then follow these simple steps: Fill a spray bottle with a half-and-half solution of vinegar and warm water. Bathtubs are covered in dirt and germs, which can cause all sorts of nasty problems. This will almost certainly cause scratches and other damage to your tub. Pick up some painter's tape and use it to mask off the seam to help make cleaning up easier. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents on a plastic tub surround, as they can permanently damage it. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Using a good bathroom cleaner and a soft cloth with warm water is the best way to remove the bulk of your bathtub's dirt and grime. You can use a dishwashing or liquid laundry detergent. 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. After that, flush the bathtub with plenty of fresh running water. Make a paste of equal parts cleanser powder and water. Step 3 How To Transfer Plant From Plastic To Pot? Step 3. Let us share all the details on how to keep your plastic tub looking as good as new. Make a paste using baking soda and water, the consistency of which should be comparable to that of toothpaste. Cleaning a plastic tub surround is never easy because one wrong move and your shiny new bathtub could look worse with scratches. Then, rinse it all with water. When cleaning a plastic tub surround with a commercial cleaner, it is important to follow the manufacturers instructions. To loosen grime and remove oils from the skin, scrub the entire bathtub with the soapy nylon sponge.