How to remove bath mat stains from a bathtub

There’s nothing like a nice, warm and long bath in a bathtub at the end of a long day. It’s so therapeutic; this is only possible and sweeter if the condition of your bathtub is favorable because nobody likes to soak in a dirty, stained bathtub. It’s neither pleasant to the eyes nor hygienic.

Remove tub stains and make your bathtub spotless again

Luckily, the shininess and spotlessness of your tub can be restored, with just regular household inexpensive products. If you love DIY fixes, try this on your bathtub to remove bath mat stains. You will need the following for your bathtub stain removal:

• Distilled white vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Hot water
• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Laundry powder detergent
• Microfiber cloth or sponge

How to remove bath mat stains with a Vinegar solution

Distilled white vinegar has proven to be the best natural, non-toxic cleaning magic ingredient that works wonders on many surfaces for a variety of stains, including hard water bathmat stains. It kills bacteria, dissolves mineral deposits and loosens the stains.

The measurements for the ingredients are as follows;

• 2 cups of distilled white vinegar
• 2 cups of hot water
• A spray bottle
• A soft-bristled brush or sponge

Follow these instructions:

1. Mix the white vinegar and hot water in equal measure
2. Spray the solution all over the bathtub
3. Let it sit for 30 minutes or more. As it soaks, the acidity in the vinegar will break down the dirt, grime and discoloration. You will see the stains dissolve and float on the surface before you even begin scrubbing.
4. Take a soft-bristled brush (if your tub can handle it) or a sponge and scrub over the stains gently, continue adding vinegar as you scrub until all the stains come off completely
5. Turn on the shower head and pour water over the stains to rinse away every trace of dissolved grime and the dirty vinegar solution.

Video: How to get rid of bathtub mat stains with vinegar

How to remove bath mat stains with a baking soda and vinegar paste

If the vinegar solution alone doesn’t get rid of the problem completely, you might need to try a stronger solution for removing bathmat stains from your tub: a baking soda and vinegar paste. For heavier dirt or mild stains, the measurements for the ingredients are as follows;

• 2 cups of white vinegar
• ½ cup of baking soda

Procedure:

1. Sprinkle lots of baking soda on your bathtub, especially on the tough stains
2. Pour the white vinegar over the stains and let the mixture stay on for 30 minutes to do its magic
3. Grab a sponge or microfiber cloth and scrub on the stained part in circular motions. Be gentle so you don’t scratch your tub. Some tub surfaces can handle a metal scourer or steel wool, but be sure your tub can handle this before using one, or you’ll damage and scratch your tub.
4. Rinse away the dirt and grime.
5. Use the sponge to go over any missed bits.
6. This will leave your bathtub sparkling and shiny, no matter how stained it was.

How to remove bath mat stains with hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and vinegar paste

Sometimes your tub stains can be very stubborn, and you need something more serious than just vinegar and baking soda. When you need a more powerful cleaning solution to address semi-permanent stubborn stains like the hard water stains caused by a bathmat, you should include hydrogen peroxide in your cleaning process.

The measurements for the ingredients are as follows:

• 2 cups of white vinegar
• ½ cup of baking soda
• 100ml of hydrogen peroxide

Procedure:

1. Make a paste of equals parts hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and baking powder.
2. Rub the paste on the stain and let it stand for 30 minutes to one hour.
3. Taking your sponge give your bathtub a nice gentle scrub.
4. Rinse with hot water if possible.
5. Repeat until the stain is gone.

How to remove bath mat stains with a lemon juice and powder detergent

Another reason why everyone should stock lemon juice in their fridge is that it really comes in handy for a lot of cleaning purposes around the house. It’s natural, often organic and eco-friendly. It also has antibacterial and whitening properties that will reduce the yellow stains in a bathtub and remove soap scum stains.

You’ll need:

• 2 cups undiluted lemon juice
• ½ cup powder detergent

Steps:

1. Squeeze the lemon juice on the stain enough to saturate the area and let it soak for thirty minutes
2. Apply a very small about of laundry powder detergent on top of the lemon juice
3. Taking a sponge, gently scrub over the stains and you will see the stains come off
4. Rinse with hot water to remove any grime or leftover cleaning residue.

Frequently asked questions about bathtub stains

What causes stains in bathtubs?

Bathmat stains in tubs occur from trapped water or soapy water that does not drain properly. You should also ensure your bathtub is always dry after a bath because the trapped moisture forms mildew or brown stains from mineral deposits due to hard water.

Soap scum is also another major stain cause, which can be gross and full of bacteria.

Can you clean the bathtub with vinegar?

Vinegar is an excellent choice for cleaning a bathtub. Make a solution of half cup vinegar and half cup hot water and put the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the entire bathtub and leave to soak for 30 minutes, then give a light scrub and rinse. This is for general weekly cleaning.

Lemon juice can be used in its place if you don’t have access to distilled white vinegar.

How do you remove hard water stains from a bathtub?

Removing hard water stains from your bathtub requires a more powerful solution: a hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and baking powder paste. Apply the cleaning paste on the stain and let soak for 30 minutes, then wash off any residue. Repeat if required.

Is bleach suitable for removing stains in a bathtub?

Most bathtubs can handle bleach and it’s an effective way for getting rid of mold, mildew and tub grime. Make sure your bleach solution is highly diluted, you wear protective gear and the bathroom is well ventilated.

Bleach is not always suitable, however. It can cause discoloration on some surfaces. When cleaning an acrylic or enamel bathtub, it is advised to avoid bleach because acrylic is a soft material that can be destroyed by the hard chemicals in bleach.

If your bathtub is made of iron, bleach can causes the iron to oxidize, leaving behind red streaks that cause a permanent stain on your tub.

How can I keep a bathtub clean with little trouble?

A bathtub is always easy to clean just after a bath. After each bath, try and rinse with clean water then wipe with a dry towel. This is the easiest and most sure way of avoiding the build-up of dirt and stains.

Wrapping up

Ultimately, keeping your bathtub clean should be a daily job. After each bath, rinse your bathtub with cold clean water then use a squeegee to remove excess water. Also, once a week try to give it a shiny scrub using baking powder and a little liquid dishwashing paste. This kind of maintenance will ensure your bathtub is always clean, free of bacteria and shiny.