HOW TO CLEAN AN ACRYLIC TUB

Your acrylic tub is a breeding ground for bacteria. It's important to lightly rinse the bathtub after each use and thoroughly clean the bathtub regularly. Luckily, acrylic is easy to clean, thanks to its nonporous nature. In this guide, you'll get detailed information on the best practices for how to clean an acrylic tub, what cleaning products and tools you should use, and how to fight back against hard water stains and grime.

Preparing to Clean Your Acrylic Tub

Before you begin cleaning, you'll need to set up a few things first. It typically doesn't take long to clean a tub from start to finish, but you should still set aside enough time to do it properly. Expect to spend roughly 30 minutes of active cleaning time, with some extra time if you need to let cleaning products sit on the surface.

You'll likely have many of the tools already since many of them are standard cleaning materials. But if you don't, put together a shopping list of tools and cleaners so you have them close at hand.

We recommend ensuring you have soft sponges and microfiber cloths since you'll need these regardless of how or why you're cleaning your tub.

General Cleaning Tips for Acrylic Tubs

So what cleaners are safe for acrylic tubs? What’s the best natural way to clean an acrylic bathtub? We'll speak more on specifics in a bit, but some cleaning methods and tips apply to most tubs so they’re good to have in your back pocket:

• Use a cloth or soft sponge instead of abrasive materials to prevent scratching
• Always remember to dry your tub with a clean cloth to prevent water spots
• Rinse the tub after cleaning with warm water
• Use cleaning products that are safe or explicitly formulated for acrylic tubs
• Warm water is best — avoid the urge to use hot water
• Steel wool and harsh chemicals will eventually damage your tub's acrylic surface

While we don't advise using rough materials like steel wool, you should use a soft bristle brush to help you get into hard-to-reach spots. This will make getting dirt out of crevices and edges much more manageable.

Regarding cleaning with your standard household products, some will work better for cleaning acrylic tubs than others. An excellent example of one that works well is Dawn dish soap. Dawn is gentle enough to use on acrylic surfaces and could help cut through the dirt and grime.

Certain types of CLR are gentle enough as well, but it's essential that you read the labels and do your research before using these supplies all over your tub.

Your best bet is to start with a DIY bathtub cleaner like vinegar and baking soda since most homeowners have those handy anyway. If these don't work for you, you can start looking at using non-abrasive cleaners you can buy at your local store.

How to Deep Clean Your Acrylic Tub

Deep cleaning isn't something you'll do every day, but that makes it all the more important to do it right. Here's a step-by-step guide to getting your tub spotless.

Tools and Materials

If you’re wondering what to clean an acrylic tub with, here’s a good place to start:

• Rubber gloves
• Soft sponge 
• Microfiber cloths
• Baking soda
• Warm water
• Distilled white vinegar
• A soft-bristled cleaning brush
   

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1

Preheat the surface of the bathtub. Fill the bathtub with about 3-4" of hot water, and splash some on the walls of the tub. After a few minutes, drain the water, and the tub will be heated and ready to clean.

STEP 2

Apply a non-abrasive cleaner to the inside surface of the bathtub. Allow the cleaner to sit for 3-5 minutes.

STEP 3

Starting at the top and working your way to the floor of the bathtub, gently scrub the surface of the tub using a soft sponge or cloth.

STEP 4

Thoroughly rinse the soap or cleaner using warm or hot water.

STEP 5

Dry the surface of the bathtub using a soft cloth or towel.

How to Remove Mold Stains From Your Acrylic Tub

Mold stains are unsightly and can tarnish your acrylic tub's good looks. Here's how you can keep your tub mold and mildew-free.

Tools and Materials

To lift mold stains from the surface of the tub, you should have:

• Rubber gloves
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Soft sponge
• Spray bottle
• Warm water
   

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
 

STEP 1

Sprinkle some baking soda over the tub evenly, covering the stains completely.

STEP 2

Combine the white vinegar and warm water in the spray bottle and spray it on top of the baking soda.

STEP 3

Let it sit for a few minutes until bubbles form on the surface.

STEP 4

Scrub the surface of your acrylic tub gently with a soft sponge or cloth until the mixture becomes a paste.

STEP 5

Let the paste sit for fifteen to twenty minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and wipe the tub dry. 

How to Remove Tough Stains From Your Acrylic Bathtub

Are you worried your acrylic bathtub stains won’t come out? Here’s the best way to clean an acrylic tub if you struggle with tough stains.

Tools and Materials

For a tough stain on an acrylic bathtub, you'll need to bring in the big guns. This means you should have the following with you:

• Rubber gloves
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Baking soda or cream of tartar
• Soft sponge
• Warm water
   

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
 

STEP 1

Combine baking soda (or cream of tartar) and hydrogen peroxide to make an acrylic-safe cleaning paste.

STEP 2

Apply the paste to the tough stains and let sit for between 45 minutes and an hour.

STEP 3

Use the sponge and rub the mixture onto the surface. Wait a few more minutes, then rinse off the paste with clean, warm water.

STEP 4

Repeat steps 1-4 as needed until the stains are no longer visible.

How to Remove Water Stains From Your Acrylic Tub

Once you notice you have hard water stains, it can feel impossible to get rid of them. But you don't necessarily need to break out abrasive cleaners like Lysol or Scrubbing Bubbles. It's possible to remove water stains using something as gentle as white vinegar. Here’s how to remove yellow stains from acrylic bathtubs gently.

Tools and Materials

Before you begin, make sure you have these materials close at hand:

• White vinegar
• Paper towels
• Baking soda
• Soft sponge
• Warm water
• Microfiber cloth
• A bowl

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1

Add white vinegar to your bowl and gently dip a few paper towels into it.

STEP 2

Lay the saturated paper towels on top of the areas with hard water stains. Leave them there for roughly two hours.

STEP 3

Meanwhile, combine baking soda and vinegar into a paste. Once the two hours are up, remove the paper towels and apply the paste to the stained areas.

STEP 4

Leave the paste on for a few minutes, rubbing it in with your soft sponge.

STEP 5

Finally, wipe the paste off, rinse thoroughly with warm water, and buff dry with your microfiber cloth.

How to Remove Rust Marks From Your Acrylic Tub

Rust stains are one of the most common things that plague acrylic bathtubs. While these are tough stains that might need a different approach, they're still removable with a natural cleaning product. All you need is some borax and water!

Tools and Materials

Here's everything you'll need to remove those rust marks on your tub:

• Borax powder
• White vinegar
• Soft sponge
• Microfiber cloth
• Warm water
   

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1

Mix the borax powder and white vinegar to make a cleaning paste.

STEP 2

Apply the paste to the stains and let it sit for ten to 20 minutes.

STEP 3

Use your soft sponge to wipe away the stains. Wait a few more minutes before completely wiping the paste off the surface of your tub.

STEP 4

Rinse your tub with warm water and dry completely with the microfiber cloth.

Alternative Cleaning Solutions You Can Use To Clean Your Acrylic Tub

Not a big fan of the typical methods for how to clean an acrylic bathtub? That's understandable — standard bathroom cleaners and chemical-laden cleaning products, while effective in some applications, aren't for everyone. 

A common and effective cleaning solution many homeowners use is a mixture of white vinegar and warm water. Add both to a spray bottle, spray the acrylic surface, and let sit for around 15 minutes. Wipe the surface down with a soft sponge or microfiber cloth, and rinse the tub with clean, warm water.

This method is mainly for maintenance cleaning, but you can play around with ratios or how long you leave the mixture on the surface to penetrate more stuck on dirt or grime.

For mild stains, you can use vinegar, baking soda, and water. Again, mix them in a spray bottle, spray down the surface, let sit for a few minutes, then scrub the surface as you normally would with a soft sponge.

For tougher stains, try a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, following the same methodology as above, and remember to rinse and dry the tub when you finish.

What to Avoid When Cleaning Your Acrylic Tub

We've talked about what you should do to get a clean and shiny tub, but what about the things you shouldn't do? Unfortunately, while it's not hard to clean an acrylic tub, it's also not hard to accidentally ruin it while you clean.

Firstly, do not, under any circumstances, mix household cleaners. Even if you add natural ingredients to the cleaners, like bleach or vinegar, it can cause unwanted reactions and dangerous toxic fumes. You should only ever use cleaners how they're intended.

If you're unsure whether you can use or mix certain cleaners during the same cleaning, err on the side of caution and avoid it.

If you aren't using the methods or cleaners on this list, remember to check to see how your cleaner will react with your tub. You can always use a small amount of the cleaner on an inconspicuous tub area to see how it reacts. 

Some cleaners that seem like the obvious choice aren't great for cleaning acrylic tubs. Bleach is a good example since it's commonly used to get bathrooms nice and spotless. But bleach can damage an acrylic tub, and the fumes aren't great to inhale, either. Avoid using bleach, rough clothes and sponges, or steel wool at all costs.

How to Sustain the Shine

Now that you've finished your cleaning regimen, how do you keep things shiny? You've made so much effort, and it would be a shame to undo all your hard work. Luckily, there are some relatively simple ways you can maintain your tub and keep it looking impossibly clean.

The first is to rinse your bathtub after every use. This will lower the chance of soap scum building up and wreaking havoc on your tub's surface. It'll also make your weekly cleanings that much easier. Keep your tub empty so toys or other items don't leave watermarks on the bottom.

Finally, remember to address every inch of your tub when you clean. The hard-to-reach and inconspicuous areas might seem like no big deal now. But if you're only cleaning part of the surface, the corners and other areas will get dingy very quickly. 

A Brighter Future With Your Bathtub

Along with these standard methods for adequately cleaning your acrylic bathtub, it's important to remember that your primary source of cleaning instructions is always the manufacturer's care guide. Every tub will have slightly different maintenance needs, so referring to this manual is essential if you want your bathtub to always look the best.

Still, there's a lot of good here that could translate to having a better-looking bathtub. Even with just a little bit of elbow grease and TLC occasionally, you can have a beautiful, long-lasting tub that's well cared for.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Do you still need a few things cleared up? Here are some common questions new acrylic tub owners have for quick reference.

WHAT CAN I USE TO CLEAN AN ACRYLIC TUB?

You can clean your tub using any non-abrasive cleaner, including this tub cleaner. Some non-abrasive cleaners include baking soda, vinegar, and dish washing liquid. Read the labels on cleaners to make sure they're gently enough to be used on an acrylic bathtub.

HOW DO I MAKE MY ACRYLIC TUB SHINE?

Use vinegar and a soft cloth to polish the bathtub to a shine. Fill the tub up with hot water and add several cups of vinegar. Allow the vinegar to soak for a few hours and gently scrub away stains with a soft sponge or cloth. Rinse the bathtub with cold water.

WHAT HOME REMEDY CAN I USE TO CLEAN MY BATHTUB?

There are items right in your pantry that can be used to clean your acrylic bathtub. Mix ¼ cup baking soda with ¼ cup white vinegar, stirring the mixture until it forms a paste. Use a soft, wet sponge to scrub the bathtub gently with the baking soda and vinegar mixture. Once you're finished scrubbing, rinse the bathtub with hot water.

CAN I USE BLEACH TO CLEAN MY ACRYLIC TUB?

Using bleach with your acrylic tub can cause discoloration and damage the surface. You should only use certified acrylic-friendly cleaners or the natural solutions outlined in this guide.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY ACRYLIC TUB?

For best results, clean your entire tub at least once a week. Keeping on top of cleaning not only makes subsequent cleanings easier, but it'll also prevent mineral and soap scum buildup that can tarnish the look of your acrylic tub.

HOW CAN I PREVENT WATER SPOTS ON MY ACRYLIC TUB?

The easiest way to fight back against water spots is to dry your tub with a cloth after every use. You can also use a squeegee if you own one to get it even drier; either will work and help the tub stay nice and shiny.