Bathtub Cleaning Adivce Wanted.

[stavanzer]

Due to a torn Rotator Cuff, Laziness, and Fugue, I have let the Bathtub in my Bathroom get really grody. (Ugh)

Now I'd like to ask for some advice on what Cleaner, I need to use on it.

I can get down and scrub it, but only for 10-15 minutes at a time. It is mostly just grease and body oils, no real dirt.

I'm thinking of using something like Citrisolve to cur the grease, but has anybody else got other products they'd recommend?

I know this is TMI, but I need to get it done, and start getting back into my old cleaning routines.

Thanks!

[Ace-Garageguy]

Old-school, but Comet with bleach, in the "scratch free" variety, is still my go-to for jobs like that.

EDIT: The real old-school abrasive cleaners like original Comet, BonAmi, etc. would dull glossy surfaces.

The moderm "scratch free" versions don't, but pay attention to the label.

The old scratchy kind is still extremely useful for uniformly prepping model parts for primer, by scrubbing vigorously with a damp toothbrush.

Edited January 5 by Ace-Garageguy
CLARITY and ACCURACY

[Ace-Garageguy]

"Soft Scrub" is another "scratch free" product that I use. It comes in a liquid form, looks like Comet with water added, and I use it frequently around the house, but especially to remove the stuff that accumulates on cars that are stored outside.

It really doesn't scratch, as I've tried it on automobile paint, glass and mirrors with no damage.

HOWEVER, before using it on glass or paint, I still recommend testing first on an area that won't show if it DOES scratch.

You never know when a formula will change with no notice.

Edited January 5 by Ace-Garageguy
TYPO

[JollySipper]

A sponge mop can be gotten pretty cheap............... I have some back issues, and the mop really helps.

[1930fordpickup]

I have read if you have the newer showers ( mine is closer to 60 plus) and are worried about scratches as Bill makes a great point of bringing up, you can put paper towels along the bottom and spray with bleach  water mix. Mine is to old to try this with. The ex liked to use the toliet bowl cleaner that was thicker and not just watered down bleach. She is gone so I can't ask her how the long term worked out.

.

[LennyB]

My wife is a big fan of Scrubbing Bubbles. Spray it on, let it sit and then wash it off.

[Rodent]

What is the tub made of? Is it enamel finish or plastic?

We stopped using bar soap 15+ years ago and it really cuts down on soap scum buildup in the shower.

[Mark]

2X on the bar soap.  I quit using it after the last time I cleaned the buildup out of my tub and surround.  It builds up in the drain in the same manner, almost like fiberglass (think of the soap as the resin, and hair standing in for fiberglass matt or cloth).

[stavanzer]

2 hours ago, Mark said:

2X on the bar soap.  I quit using it after the last time I cleaned the buildup out of my tub and surround.  It builds up in the drain in the same manner, almost like fiberglass (think of the soap as the resin, and hair standing in for fiberglass matt or cloth).

Hmmm....

Thanks, Mark. I've been using bar soap for 50 years. Maybe it is time for a change.

Tub is a One Piece Shower/Tub insert in Fibreglass. It was installed new when the house was built in 1986. It is pretty badly used. (the house was a rental for about 5 years before we bought it as a Bank Owned Repo), so it is worn, but not yet worn out. And there is no money right for a replacement. So, I need to at least try to take better care of it.

Thanks for all the advice.

[SSNJim]

In Navy bootcamp many, many years ago, they had us use Zest brand bar soap. Supposedly it doesn't leave soap scum. 

[Mark]

Another thing: if you don't use the tub as a tub (shower uses less water, and why would you want to steep in dirty water anyway) take out the mechanical stopper thingy and get a drain screen.  Regardless of male pattern baldness having already taken effect, and even if you don't consider yourself to be particularly hirsute, you're gonna be surprised at how fast that screen loads up and slows the flow.  And, prior to the screen, all of that was going down the tub drain and mingling with that bar soap runoff.

Dumping a huge pot of boiling water down there once in a while will help keep things flowing, without having to mess with chemical drain cleaners.  Don't wait until you've got a standing water problem, that just makes it more time consuming to clear up.

[bobss396]

Soft Scrub is good. I use a scrubby sponge and it cuts the grime.

Real tough spots, I'll use lacquer thinner on a rag.

I have to do this myself, I'm getting ready to re-caulk my upstairs tub.

[slusher]

20 hours ago, stavanzer said:

Due to a torn Rotator Cuff, Laziness, and Fugue, I have let the Bathtub in my Bathroom get really grody. (Ugh)

Now I'd like to ask for some advice on what Cleaner, I need to use on it.

I can get down and scrub it, but only for 10-15 minutes at a time. It is mostly just grease and body oils, no real dirt.

I'm thinking of using something like Citrisolve to cur the grease, but has anybody else got other products they'd recommend?

I know this is TMI, but I need to get it done, and start getting back into my old cleaning routines.

Thanks!

Allen my wife uses soft scrub with bleach and a soft brush with a handle. After you get it clean when you use it put vinegar in a squirt bottle and when you get out spray the tub down with vinegar you will have to clean it less…

Edited January 6 by slusher
Typo

[NOBLNG]

[Mike 1017]

Just add soap

Amazon.com : electric bathtub scrubber

[mikemodeler]

Hire a professional cleaning service to deep clean the whole bathroom. Money well spent and you will know it was cleaned thoroughly and with products designed to clean and disinfect. From there decide if you can keep it up or is it time to have a cleaning service once or twice a month to maintain it.

[Fat Brian]

I do agree with Mike if it's in your budget. Getting it deep cleaned once may make it easier for you to keep up in the future. If you do want to tackle it on your own there are brushes and scrubbers with handles for reaching. We took and old style rag mop and trimmed the threads down to about a third of their original length to make it a little easier to use. If you have a lot of buildup you can cut it with dish washing liquid like Dawn and then go back with something made to clean tubs.

[Lunajammer]

Why scrub? This is what I use. With proper ventilation and safety precautions, soap scum practically jumps into your rag. Very little effort necessary. I don't know about mold and mildew, but splash this into a rag and you'll be scum done in minutes. Get it at a paint and body supply store. 

My tub was refinished with a polyurethane coating so I can't use abrasives. The refinishers didn't offer a good cleaning solution so I put 2&2 together and went with this.

[stavanzer]

11 hours ago, Lunajammer said:

Why scrub? This is what I use. With proper ventilation and safety precautions, soap scum practically jumps into your rag. Very little effort necessary. I don't know about mold and mildew, but splash this into a rag and you'll be scum done in minutes. Get it at a paint and body supply store. 

My tub was refinished with a polyurethane coating so I can't use abrasives. The refinishers didn't offer a good cleaning solution so I put 2&2 together and went with this.

Thanks, Mike!

But, I'll bet it is Toxic to Parrots, and my Amazon Parrot would not appreciate my bring this home.

But, a great idea after he leaves.

[rattle can man]

you also need to think about what goes down the drain. some chemicals will wreak havoc with the cities water treatment plant operations, or your septic system.