... in their OWN bathroom.
So here is the story.
We moved into this house 4 months ago. Prior to moving in I spent two entire days scrubbing from floor to ceiling. It was pretty dirty when we first move in, but it was nothing that a good vacuuming and a little elbow grease couldn't fix. However, there was one area of the house that never got cleaned... the kids/guest bathtub. I had attempted to clean it during those first two days but after spending an hour scrubbing away with no luck I decided the kiddos could just use the master bath until I had more time to spend cleaning it. A few short days after moving in I decided to tackle the tub again. This time I tried some Simple Green. I used simple green on the floor to clean up some old paint and dried glue and the stuff came off like magic. I figured if it could clean up paint and glue, it could certainly take care of a little soap scum. After 6 hours and an entire bottle of Simple Green, I realized I was fighting a loosing battle. I hung up a shower curtain to hide the hideous tub until I could come up with another solution.
To give you an idea of what I was working with... our house was built in 2005. Although it is not very old, I'm pretty sure the tub had not been cleaned once since it was built. What should have been a nice white tub and shower surround was now dingy brown, yellow and even black in a few spots. After the Simple Green didn't work, I made a few more attempts at cleaning the tub. I tried a few store bought products as well as a few recipes I found online. One of the recipes I found online was similar to what I used to clean my oven door. This actually worked fantastic on the floor of the tub but since the baking soda/water mixture is runny and you're suppose to let it soak for a few minutes before scrubbing it off, it didn't work to well on the walls. About a month ago I finally decided to give up. Hubby and I agreed that we just needed to buy a new tub and shower surround. We have a few other priorities on the list (such as a new dishwasher and oven) so it was going to be a few months before we would be able to get the tub. I was ok with this since we had already gone 4 months without it, what was a few more?
That was until some friends informed us that they would be coming for a visit this weekend. And staying the WHOLE WEEKEND!! I was fine with having guest use the bathroom when they came to visit since the ugly tub was covered up with a pretty shower curtain. However, these guests are not just coming over for a day's visit. They are going to want to take a shower and with two little kids, I'm sure they will need to use a bathtub as well.
I thought about just letting them use the master bathroom, however, I've been bathing our kids in the master tub for the last 4 months and it's not that easy. We have one of those large corner tubs which my two year old like to curl up in the very corner so that I have to practically crawl in the tub just to wash her. Since our guests' kids are a little younger that my own, I didn't think it would work out to well.
After searching the internet, I found a new idea and I decided to take one more crack at cleaning the tub. (forgive me, I can't find the original link anymore. I believe I found it on Martha Stewart.com but I am not sure.)
I filled a spay bottle up with vinegar, no diluting just strait up white vinegar. Then I set a timer to go off every ten minutes. Every time the timer went off I would take the spray bottle and soak the entire tub and shower surround with vinegar. The idea here is that you want to keep the area wet but not so wet that the vinegar just runs off.
{Ten minutes worked great for me however if you want to try this you may need to go longer or shorter between sprays depending on how hot it is and the airflow you have in the room.}
I did this for about 2 hours and used a bottle and a half of vinegar. Then I mixed together some baking soda and water {about 2 tablespoons baking soda to 8 oz water}. Using one of those green kitchen scrub pads, I dipped it in the mixture and then started scrubbing away at the tub and shower. {I had to stir the mixture a few times since the baking soda kept settling at the bottom of the container}
So here is the story.
We moved into this house 4 months ago. Prior to moving in I spent two entire days scrubbing from floor to ceiling. It was pretty dirty when we first move in, but it was nothing that a good vacuuming and a little elbow grease couldn't fix. However, there was one area of the house that never got cleaned... the kids/guest bathtub. I had attempted to clean it during those first two days but after spending an hour scrubbing away with no luck I decided the kiddos could just use the master bath until I had more time to spend cleaning it. A few short days after moving in I decided to tackle the tub again. This time I tried some Simple Green. I used simple green on the floor to clean up some old paint and dried glue and the stuff came off like magic. I figured if it could clean up paint and glue, it could certainly take care of a little soap scum. After 6 hours and an entire bottle of Simple Green, I realized I was fighting a loosing battle. I hung up a shower curtain to hide the hideous tub until I could come up with another solution.
To give you an idea of what I was working with... our house was built in 2005. Although it is not very old, I'm pretty sure the tub had not been cleaned once since it was built. What should have been a nice white tub and shower surround was now dingy brown, yellow and even black in a few spots. After the Simple Green didn't work, I made a few more attempts at cleaning the tub. I tried a few store bought products as well as a few recipes I found online. One of the recipes I found online was similar to what I used to clean my oven door. This actually worked fantastic on the floor of the tub but since the baking soda/water mixture is runny and you're suppose to let it soak for a few minutes before scrubbing it off, it didn't work to well on the walls. About a month ago I finally decided to give up. Hubby and I agreed that we just needed to buy a new tub and shower surround. We have a few other priorities on the list (such as a new dishwasher and oven) so it was going to be a few months before we would be able to get the tub. I was ok with this since we had already gone 4 months without it, what was a few more?
That was until some friends informed us that they would be coming for a visit this weekend. And staying the WHOLE WEEKEND!! I was fine with having guest use the bathroom when they came to visit since the ugly tub was covered up with a pretty shower curtain. However, these guests are not just coming over for a day's visit. They are going to want to take a shower and with two little kids, I'm sure they will need to use a bathtub as well.
I thought about just letting them use the master bathroom, however, I've been bathing our kids in the master tub for the last 4 months and it's not that easy. We have one of those large corner tubs which my two year old like to curl up in the very corner so that I have to practically crawl in the tub just to wash her. Since our guests' kids are a little younger that my own, I didn't think it would work out to well.
After searching the internet, I found a new idea and I decided to take one more crack at cleaning the tub. (forgive me, I can't find the original link anymore. I believe I found it on Martha Stewart.com but I am not sure.)
I filled a spay bottle up with vinegar, no diluting just strait up white vinegar. Then I set a timer to go off every ten minutes. Every time the timer went off I would take the spray bottle and soak the entire tub and shower surround with vinegar. The idea here is that you want to keep the area wet but not so wet that the vinegar just runs off.
{Ten minutes worked great for me however if you want to try this you may need to go longer or shorter between sprays depending on how hot it is and the airflow you have in the room.}
I did this for about 2 hours and used a bottle and a half of vinegar. Then I mixed together some baking soda and water {about 2 tablespoons baking soda to 8 oz water}. Using one of those green kitchen scrub pads, I dipped it in the mixture and then started scrubbing away at the tub and shower. {I had to stir the mixture a few times since the baking soda kept settling at the bottom of the container}
Guess what happened after an hour of scrubbing?
I HAD A WHITE TUB AND SHOWER!!!
Yes, it did take quite a bit of scrubbing but it was nothing compared to the 6 hours with the Simple Green. Not to mention that I saved us a few hundred dollars since we no longer have to buy a new tub and shower!!! I just wish I would have tried this method sooner and saved money on the all of the cleaners I bought that had no effect.
I was able to give the girls a bath in their new-to-them tub last night for the first time ever and I was actually able to wash my youngest without having to practically crawl inside the tub just to reach her.
Did you enjoy this post?
Vote for me!
Vote for me!
Do you have a crafty or creative tip, trick or tutorial you would like to share with DIY Home Sweet Home readers? Fill out the 'Get Featured' form to submit your ideas.
Wow...that took way more work than it should of. When we first moved into our townhouse, the tub and shower were stained brown, probably like yours was. It was disgusting. Guess what I used to get it off? Goo Be Gone. Miracle in a bottle. Not the greenest thing to use, but I put it in a spray bottle, coated the shower, let it sit for 2 minutes, then wiped EVERYTHING off. The tub looked like it was brand new and I didn't have to put a lot of elbow grease into it. I rinsed the entire shower with very hot water after wiping it and it all washed away, no problem. It was amazing. I wish I would have known you were having a problem sooner. I would have suggested Goo Be Gone. It may have saved you the hours of work!
ReplyDeleteI never thought to use goo be gone. I'll have to keep that in mind. Thanks for the tip.
DeleteWarm up about a cup of vinegar and mix it with a cup of original blue dawn put in a spray bottle spray shower and let soak for 2 hours then scrub scum comes right off
Deletei've been using vinegar and baking soda alot recently but never thought to use it in the tub. Great information, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe power of vinegar and baking soda is amazing. I have been using those two ingredients for most of my cleaning and I love it.
DeleteWow, great idea. I'm pregnant so I'm trying to stay away from any harsh chemicals but I've moved into a situation just like you're describing. The prior owners must've never washed this stand up 2 person shower. Its gross. I can't wait to try this out tonight!
ReplyDeleteI shall give it a try too !
ReplyDeletewe have very hard water and hard water build up is a constant problem even the CLR doesnt work on my big tub and that stuff is so toxic !
-KAT-
Hope it works for you.
DeleteI started using vinegar and baking soda primarily because my asthma suddenly and inexplicably got soooo sensitive to everything imaginable. Forget bleach or other cleaning, disinfecting products. And I've stayed with it because it works, it's better for the pocketbook for sure and better for the environment.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely better on the pocketbook and safe enough that I don't mind letting my two year old help me clean with it.
DeleteI use vinegar and baking soda on tough pet stains too! These two products together work wonders! Never thought of using it on the bathtub...thanks for the new tip!
ReplyDeleteGood going! I'm happy for you!!!:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! I'm going to try this on my shower door!
ReplyDeletethank you thank you thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI use no-odor generic oven cleaner. It cuts the soap scum and grime like magic. I just spray and let it set for about 15 mins., and then I take a sponge with a nylon scrubber side and just go over the tub and shower, then rinse. It's not the greenest solution, but it's fast and works great.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, I need to try this. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely going to try this. I can't stand the fumes from some strong bathroom cleaners
ReplyDeleteWow thank you so much for sharing! I will definitely try this in my bathroom. I've really enjoyed reading your blog, I'm your newest follower :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is great! It sure beats scrapping it off with a razor like we did in college.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to use a melamine (branded as Magic Eraser) sponge. They're great on soap scum!
ReplyDeleteDandruff shampoo seems to work well on soap scum too. I've used the store brand with the same ingredient as Head and Shoulders.
ReplyDeleteIf it was mineral build-up, the acidity of the vinegar is probably what did most of the work. CLR is stronger and more toxic but works the same way.
I use a pair of exfoliating gloves ( I buy at the dollar store) when I clean my shower and tub. They work just like the green scrubbing pads and you don't drop them! Plus you have a scrubbing surface on every finger to get in every nook and non-flat surface! I just throw them in the washing machine when I'm done, and when they wear out, I buy another set for $2.00!
ReplyDeleteLOL
DeleteI thought I had finally had an original idea!!!
Oh well...it still works GREAT!!!