How to clean a discolored bathtub?

Author: Dr. Sanford Farrell MD  |  Last update: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Make a paste of one part hydrogen peroxide and two parts baking soda. Use a sponge to scrub the stubborn spots with baking soda and peroxide. Let the paste work on the bathtub stains for an hour. Rinse the bathtub with hot water.

How do I get rid of discoloration in my bathtub?

Put hydrogen peroxide in an opaque spray bottle and spray the bottom of the top. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse. Stubborn stains can be covered for an hour with a towel soaked in hydrogen peroxide before rinsing, or treated again with the baking soda/hydrogen peroxide paste.

How do I get my bathtub white again?

How do I get my bathtub white again? By cleaning your bath with a mixture of white vinegar, water and baking soda, you should be able to rid your bath of most common stains and maintain its white finish.

How do I get the brown out of my bathtub?

This method is safe for all types of tubs.
  1. Make a paste with two parts baking soda to one part hydrogen peroxide.
  2. Add more of either ingredient to get a paste that's spreadable, not runny.
  3. Smear it on the stain and allow it to sit for 10 minutes.
  4. Lightly scrub with a soft sponge or brush.
  5. Rinse and repeat if necessary.

How do I get rid of oxidation in my bathtub?

  1. Make a paste using baking soda and a little water. ...
  2. Spread the paste on the areas of your tub that have rust stains.
  3. Let this sit overnight.
  4. The next morning, gently scrub the paste away with the microfiber cloth.
  5. Rinse any remaining baking soda from the tub.
  6. Repeat as needed.

I Cleaned a Really Gross Shower

Does vinegar remove oxidation?

Applying vinegar to rust dissolves the oxide and leaves behind a water-soluble salt that you can remove easily. It is called neutralisation, and this reaction happens between rust and acetic acid, which is why cleaning vinegar helps remove iron oxides from household surfaces and objects.

Does magic eraser remove rust on bathtub?

You need something abrasive to get rid of rust residue, but still, you need to scrub hard for desired outcomes. If you don't have time for scrubbing, then use a magic eraser. All you need to do is to swipe it with the magic eraser on the affected surface. This will break down the rust residue and make your work easier.

How to make a bathtub look new?

Four Tricks to Make Your Bathtub Look Like New
  1. Remove Tough Stains with Safe, Non-Abrasive Cleaners. First, let's start with how to clean an old bathtub, with a focus on stained surfaces. ...
  2. Repair Minor Chips and Cracks. ...
  3. Caulk and Reseal. ...
  4. Polish Metal Fixtures.

How to whiten a yellowed bathtub?

A great way to fix a discoloured bathtub is to make a paste out of baking soda and water and apply it to the stain. Let the paste dry, then scrub it off with a brush or sponge. You can also try using diluted vinegar or lemon juice on the stain.

How to deep clean a bathtub?

Stubborn stains may need a deep clean. Fill the bathtub with equal parts white vinegar and hot water and allow to soak for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen up the grime. Drain the water, and then use the baking soda paste. Switch to the toothbrush to get into the corners and around the faucet.

What causes brown stains in the bathtub?

Reddish-brown stains: These types of stains are usually caused by dissolved iron in your water. Once this iron is exposed to oxygen, it forms iron oxide, which gives it the reddish-brown color. Iron in your water doesn't just leave stains on your bathroom fixtures; it can also cause “yellowing” of your laundry.

What do baking soda and vinegar do?

Mixing vinegar and baking soda causes an immediate chemical reaction. This reaction forms water, sodium acetate (a salt) and carbon dioxide – the fizzy part. The amount of carbon dioxide gas that is produced from baking soda is remarkable – one tablespoon (around 18 grams) can release over five litres of gas!

How to clean a dirty bathtub without scrubbing?

How Can I Deep Clean My Bathtub Without Scrubbing?
  1. Create a one to one solution of vinegar and dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray this solution all over your tub and let it sit there for 15 to 30 minutes.
  2. Wipe the solution off the tub with a clean cloth.
  3. Repeat this process on a weekly basis to gently clean your tub.

How can I make my tub white again?

HOW To Get Rid Of Tough Stains
  1. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts baking soda to make a paste for cleaning the bathtub (or cream of tartar). ...
  2. Rub the paste into the stain, let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour, and then wipe it off and wash it. ...
  3. Rinse and dry the tub when you're finished.

How do I fix brown water in my bathtub?

How to Try to Get Rid of Brown Water
  1. Run the cold water from your tap for about 20 minutes. ...
  2. If the water clears but still has bits of brown water, you will need to consider a water filter system and/or water softener. ...
  3. If your water is still brown, check with your neighbors if they are having the same issue.

What is the strongest bathtub cleaner?

To get the job done effectively, we think the Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner is a great heavy-duty bathtub cleaner. In our survey, respondents liked how well and how quickly this cleaner got rid of soap scum, mildew, and mold without leaving a slippery residue. It kills 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria.

How to get rid of discoloration in a bathtub?

Dishwashing liquid works well as a regular cleaner for a porcelain bathtub, as does a DIY scum-fighting remover of vinegar, dish soap and cornstarch. If your tub has a tough stain, you can break out some cleaning screens—which are similar to lightweight sandpaper.

Why do bathtubs turn yellow?

The main reason that a bathtub will turn yellow is rusting of the metal or porcelain enamel, which will gradually form a chalky, powdery layer on top of the metal. This is usually caused by minerals in the water staying in the tub, rather than evaporating or draining out with each bath or shower.

How can I brighten my old bathtub?

Scrub walls with abrasive cleanser and a stiff brush to lift soap scum and hard water deposits. For stubborn stains, apply gel stain remover and let dwell 15 minutes before scrubbing. Plug the drain and fill the tub with warm water and all-purpose cleaner. Let soak before scrubbing the entire tub surface.

How do you refresh an old bathtub?

Instructions
  1. Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware. ...
  2. Step 2: Clean the Tub Thoroughly. ...
  3. Step 3: Protect Areas Around the Tub. ...
  4. Step 4: Remove the Glaze. ...
  5. Step 6: Prep the Surface for Glaze Application. ...
  6. Step 7: Mix and Apply the Epoxy Coating. ...
  7. Step 9: Caulking and Finishing Touches.

What is the best way to change the color of your bathtub?

You can repaint your bathtub with the help of a refinishing kit. The refinishing kit comes with paint and primer, which you can use to give a new look to your bathtub.

How do you update a bathtub without replacing it?

Resurfacing the Bathtub

Resurfacing or refinishing refer to the same service—sanding and reglazing a tub to address surface imperfections like stains that won't come off or shallow cracks and scratches. Resurfacing is a cost-effective alternative to a bathtub replacement and can give your old tub a new lease on life.

Does Dawn and vinegar clean bathtubs?

Heat vinegar in microwave until hot and pour into squirt bottle. Add the Dawn soap. Put the lid on and gently shake to incorporate. You now have a powerful cleaning product that will melt soap scum and tub and shower buildup, clean sinks, appliances and just about anything.

What not to use magic eraser on?

Don't Use Them On Your Car

Or any other delicate surface, for that matter, like silverware, glass, or metal surfaces. Dry erasers have the abrasiveness of a 3000 grit sandpaper – very fine, but can still mar shiny surfaces – like your stainless steel appliances!

How to clean a yellow tub?

Here are the steps:
  1. Put a mixture of 50% vinegar and 50% dish soap in a spray bottle. Shake it up a bit to mix the vinegar and dish soap together.
  2. Spray down the whole tub! Be generous about it! ...
  3. Put on gloves, grab a non-scratch sponge and wipe it all down. ...
  4. Repeat this process if needed.

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