The Best Cleaners to Remove Stains from Your Bathtub

Dirt and soap scum buildup may leave dark stains in your tub that take a bit more elbow grease than regular cleaning. The cleaning method depends on what your bathtub is made from, and we’ll help you get stains out quickly no matter if your tub is acrylic, fiberglass, enamel, porcelain, or stone resin. Keep reading to find the best tub cleaners for the most stubborn stains so you can make your bath sparkle like new when you’re finished.

Things You Should Know

Scrub stains on acrylic and fiberglass tubs with vinegar and water solution. Apply a paste of baking soda and vinegar to stubborn stains for 15 minutes.
Try using vinegar and water or a paste made from baking soda and dish soap on enamel tubs. Switch to bleach-free cleaners for heavy staining.
Scour stains on a porcelain tub with a wet pumice stone. Use an abrasive tub cleaner for persistent marks.

Section 1 of 4:

Acrylic or Fiberglass Bathtubs

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Spray stains with 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water. Let the vinegar mixture soak for about 15 minutes, then scrub the stains off with a towel or sponge and rinse off the residue to clean your tub.^{[1]
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- Vinegar is acidic and breaks down tough residue, so it works as an excellent natural alternative to commercial cleaners.
- Mix a few drops of dish soap into the solution for extra cleaning power. Alternatively, try using straight vinegar to clean old bathtub stains.
- Try heating up the solution for 1–2 minutes in the microwave to help remove stains left from soap scum.^{[2]
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- Avoid harsh cleaners or abrasives, such as scrub sponges, magic erasers, bleach, or ammonia, for cleaning an acrylic tub because it could ruin the non-porous surface.^{[3]
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Scrub the stain with baking soda and vinegar paste. Sprinkle baking soda on the stains, then spray an equal mix of warm water and vinegar onto the surface. Let the baking soda bubble for a few minutes before scrubbing the surface gently with a soft sponge or towel. Let the paste sit for another 15 minutes before wiping and rinsing it off.^{[4]
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- If the stains won’t come out, apply a paste that’s 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 2 parts baking soda, and rinse it off after 30–60 minutes.
- For hard water stains, wet paper towels in vinegar and apply them to the stains for 1–2 hours. Then, use the baking soda paste to scrub away any residual marks.

Section 2 of 4:

Enamel Bathtubs

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Spray equal parts vinegar and water directly onto the stain. After 15 minutes, scrub the stains with a soft towel or sponge to clean the tub. Then, wipe and rinse off the residual cleaner.^{[5]
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- Skip using abrasive scrubbers, steel wool, or stiff-bristled brushes because they could damage your bathtub.
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Break apart stubborn stains with equal parts baking soda and dish soap. Apply the mixture to a sponge or soft rag and scrub it onto the stains using a circular motion. Rinse the paste off after 10 minutes.^{[6]
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- Add about 10 drops of your favorite essential oil to the cleaning solution to leave your tub smelling great.
- If you’re getting rid of rust stains, apply a thick paste made from lemon juice and salt instead.^{[7]
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Use a bleach-free commercial cleaning spray. Spray the cleaner onto the stained areas of your bathtub and let it sit for the recommended time on the packaging. Then, wipe and rinse the cleaner off to get rid of the stain. Bleach can damage the enamel coating on your bathtub, so make sure whatever cleaner you choose doesn’t contain any.
- Open a nearby window, open the door, or turn on a fan to ventilate the bathroom while you clean with any of these products.
- Avoid mixing different cleaners and chemicals together. For example, mixing bleach and ammonia can create poisonous gas.^{[8]
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Section 3 of 4:

Porcelain Bathtubs

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Scour the stains with a pumice stone or coarse sponge. Wet the stained areas of your tub and gently rub the stone or sponge over the surface until the stains are gone. Then, rinse the tub with clean water.^{[9]
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- Using a pumice stone or coarse sponge is perfect for removing orange rust stains around the faucet or tub drain since porcelain has a hard, durable finish that doesn’t scratch easily.
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Scrub the stains away with an powdered abrasive tub cleaner. Sprinkle the cleaner over the stains and scrub them with a scouring pad or melamine sponge. If the stain doesn’t lift up, wet the powder and let it sit for 15–30 minutes before scrubbing it off.^{[10]
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- If you want a natural abrasive cleaner, make a paste using baking soda and either white distilled vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.^{[11]
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Section 4 of 4:

Stone Resin

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Try washing stains away with soapy water. Wet a sponge or towel with the soapy water and gently scrub the staining in circular motions until the stains are gone. Rinse the area with clean water to remove any residue.^{[12]
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- Stone resin tubs are made of crushed natural stone and resin, so they’re usually more resistant to stains and scratches.
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Wipe stubborn stains with a cream cleanser. Cream cleansers have a mild abrasive that’s gentle on stone resin but tough on stains. Follow the directions on the cleanser’s packaging because they could vary between brands. Typically, you’ll work the cleanser onto the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then gently scrub it off.
- Avoid using cream cleansers if your tub has a glossy finish because they may cause damage to the surface.

Expert Q&A

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Question

We have a very old tub in a rental. How do I determine if the bathtub is porcelain or enamel?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

A magnet will stick to enamel, but will not stick to porcelain or acrylic. Acrylic looks similar to plastic. If you do the magnet test and the magnet clings to the side, your tub is made of enameled metal.

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Is there a way to remove essential oil stains from an acrylic bathtub?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Depending on how badly the tub is stained, oil stains can be difficult. First, cover the stained area with a coat of baking soda. Then, mix up your cleaning solution in a spray bottle: 1 cup vinegar, 1 tablespoon of dish soap, and 3 cups of water. Spray this mixture over the baking soda. Use a soft sponge to scrub the stained areas. You may need to repeat this process a couple times. If you have stubborn stains, you can let the solution and baking soda sit for 15-20 minutes prior to scrubbing it away.

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Question

Can you clean the tub with vinegar?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Yes, this should be fine. For general cleaning, make a cleaning solution of half vinegar and half water (preferably warm but not essential) and place in a spray bottle; use to clean the whole bath, wiping after spraying. For specific stains on an acrylic bath, use distilled white vinegar sprayed onto the stained area, then wipe off with water.

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Tips

Leave the door to the bathroom open, crack a window, and turn on a vent fan while you work to allow fresh air to circulate and prevent cleaner fumes from building up.

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Make it a point to clean your bathtub about once a week so it doesn’t develop stains or buildup.

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Ordinary shampoos may also be useful for treating light stains because they’re designed to cut through dirt and oil.

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Warnings

Test stain removal measures on small, inconspicuous areas of your tub before getting down and dirty so you don't risk damaging the finish.

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Avoid mixing different chemical cleaners, like ammonia and bleach or vinegar and bleach. When combined, these can produce caustic fumes that may be harmful if they are inhaled or come into contact with your skin.^{[13]
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