4 Easy Ways to Clean Acrylic Bathtub to Look Like New

By
Bella
Bella
Writer
Bella is a skilled copywriter who holds a degree in English studies. Her lifelong passion for decor and interior design is evident in her work, which is inspired by the beau read more
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Reviewed By
Tommy
Tommy
Expert Consultant
Tommy is an expert consultant at HouseAndBeyond, with extensive experience in home improvement. A master of all trades, he offers invaluable expertise in areas such as carpe read more
Last updated: September 10, 2023
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The current trends in decoration and interior design go through the use of increasingly varied and innovative materials. In the bathroom, the use of acrylic for bathtubs seems to be common nowadays. Although it provides elegance and style, it must also be treated with care to guarantee its maintenance. In this article, we’ll see how to clean acrylic bathtub in easy steps while also giving you advice on the dos and don’ts.

This type of material, which is warm to the touch, unlike glass and ceramic, mimics the smooth surface of these materials and is insulating, keeping the temperature perfect. Acrylic bathtubs are also lightweight and inexpensive. These bathtubs are, for these reasons, increasingly used. They have great ease of processing and modeling, which allows you to have a beautiful and functional custom-made design.

But there is a part that is rarely mentioned when betting on acrylic, and that is the ease of scratches on this material. So, you must be careful and proceed with caution.

Before you begin

You should be aware that even the best acrylic bathtub can be scratched when bathing pets, as well as when using hard brushes. These are just some of the few instances where you can damage the polished surface. The use of some detergents that are abrasive and chlorinated will also negatively affect the quality of the acrylic coating since they can become opaque and lose the attractive shine they have.

Also attempts to wash the bathtub with gels that contain solvents and ammonia will cause a lot of damage to the upper layer. At first, the layer will turn somewhat cloudy, but with frequent and prolonged contact with these substances, the layer will go away, deforming.

It should be noted that the material is very capricious. It does not tolerate even putting clothes to soak, since powdered detergent, the stain removers used to wash clothes, are very harmful to bathtubs.

How to clean bathtub stains on acrylic using chemicals

Some stains only disappear with acid or chemicals. To clean with chemicals, you can use detergents, bleach, or specially formulated cleaner sprays.

What you need

  1. Dishwasher detergent
  2. Bleach
  3. Commercial bathroom cleaners
  4. Soft sponge
  5. A pair of gloves

4 Easy Ways to Clean Acrylic Bathtub to Look Like NewSafety

Make sure you are using dishwasher detergent, specialized cleaning chemicals, or bleach Trusted Source Bleach - Wikipedia Bleach is the generic name for any chemical product that is used industrially and domestically to remove color from a fabric or fiber or to clean or to remove stains in a process called bleaching. en.wikipedia.org . Regular dish soap will be too soapy.

Avoid some products that are normally used for ceramics. Also, abrasive detergents and metallic sponges are prohibited.

These could irreversibly alter the surface, too bad when you have a luxury bathtub. Clean the tub every two weeks or as needed if you notice any residue building up or floating in the tub. You should avoid alcohol-based or colored products, as they could stain the acrylic bathtub.

Method 1: How to do it

Below, you’ll learn how to clean acrylic bathtub stains with bleach and detergents.

Step 1

Put on your gloves to stay protected from chemicals.

Step 2

To clean the entire bathtub, including the acrylic surface, pour 1/2 cup bleach and 1/4 cup dishwasher detergent into the tub.

Step 3

Turn the jets up, and let the cleaning solution rinse through the tub for about 15 minutes. This will clean the spray lines and the acrylic surface with virtually no work required on your part.

Step 4

Drain the tub, and scrub the acrylic with a nylon scouring pad if necessary.

Step 4

Fill the tub again, turning on the jets for another 15 minutes to flush out any leftover cleaning solution.

Method 2: How to do it

The safest way is to use specific acrylic cleaning products, like the Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner Spray or bathroom cleaning detergents, which you can find on the market. They generally have a two-stage sanitizing and polishing action. These detergents are free of abrasives and whitening substances, but instead contain chemicals that can remove stains, clean and restore the optimal appearance of acrylic surfaces.

Step 1

Put on your gloves.

Step 2

You have to read the instructions for the product. But in general, using it is very simple and intuitive. It requires that the cleaner is poured in small quantities on a soft sponge, rubbing the moistened acrylic. The mechanical action of the sponge and the chemical action of the detergent will help remove dirt, stains, and marks.

Step 3

You can rinse the tub in water by filling water over the entire treated surface.

Tip: To make the bathtub easy to clean, wash it once every 5-7 days with a common dishwasher detergent without abrasive components, always with a soft sponge.

How to clean acrylic bathtub with natural products

Apart from specific products that we find on the market, the use of dish detergent, as well as lavender oil or white wine vinegar, can help you clean an acrylic bathtub correctly.

What you need:

  1. Soft sponge or soft cloth
  2. White wine vinegar
  3. Distilled water
  4. Lemon
  5. Lavender essential oil
  6. Old toothbrush

4 Easy Ways to Clean Acrylic Bathtub to Look Like NewSafety

Avoid oils and lotions during your bath because they leave residues in your pipes Trusted Source How to Safely Unclog Grease, Oil and Fat From Pipes - E.R. Services Not sure how to unclog grease, oil and fat from pipes? www.erplumbing.com . Preferably use a filter to limit the amount of lime in your pipes.

How to do it

Step 1

If you want to clean and disinfect the acrylic bathtub in a natural way, get some white wine vinegar. Mix it with distilled water.

Step 2

Then, add a few drops of lemon or lavender essential oil. Lemon is great for removing hard water deposits. This will help disinfect and deodorize everything.

Step 3

Apply this solution with a soft sponge and scrub gently.

Step 4

If you have dirt or stains in corners that are hard to reach, take an old toothbrush, dip it in the solution and scrub gently.

Step 5

Let the solution act for five minutes and then rinse well with water.

Tips:

  1. Some stains only disappear with acid. Vinegar with a little salt is also a tip for yellow discolorations caused by bath oils and the like. However, vinegar and lemon are a miracle cure against rust and lime stains. Just apply slightly diluted citric acid or vinegar to the surfaces to be treated. Leave it for about 20 minutes. Wash well and scrub with a soft cloth or sponge.
  2. Alternatively, borax and baking soda are other natural materials you can also use.

How to clean acrylic whirlpool tub

4 Easy Ways to Clean Acrylic Bathtub to Look Like NewNo one wants to bathe with bacteria, which is why frequent cleaning of your whirlpool bathtub is necessary to preserve your health and keep your bathroom pearl as new after each use. Acrylic whirlpool tubs are easy to clean. According to most reviews, the sturdiest and most easy to clean model must be the Empava Acrylic Alcove Whirlpool Bathtub, which, thanks to its easy to clean fiberglass reinforcement, is the most reliable option out there.

What you need

  1. The tub’s manufacturer manual
  2. Detergent
  3. Bleach or white vinegar

Safety

Avoid the use of bleach if it is not recommended by your supplier. Use products specially designed to clean whirlpool/jacuzzi bathtubs. And if they are expensive, you can opt for white vinegar or lemon juice because they have disinfectant properties and are relatively gentle compared to conventional detergents.

How to do it

Below is how to clean acrylic bathtub using the water jet method.

Step 1

Fill the tub. Let the tub fill with hot water until it covers the highest jets: about 10 cm. Be sure to carefully read the cleaning instructions for your Whirlpool bathtub. If opening the air inlet valve is recommended, then you can perform a dual effect cleaning: water and air.

Step 2

You have to add your cleanser. Pour in about 50ml (1/4 cup) of low-foaming detergent, otherwise, you can use dishwashing detergent.

4 Easy Ways to Clean Acrylic Bathtub to Look Like NewStep 3

Add 100 ml (1/2 cup) of bleach/white vinegar. Bleach is used as a disinfectant. However, if your manufacturer advises against it, you can use white vinegar to preserve the flexibility of the internal joints.

Step 4

Run the jets for 10-15 minutes. Just start the engine and set the jets to the highest pressure for maximum efficiency.

Step 5

Let the residue drain and turn on the cold water tap to the top of the jets as in the first step.

Step 6

Run the jets once more for 5-10 minutes. You must rinse well to remove all residue.

Step 7

Let the water drain for one last time. Your Whirlpool bathtub is now like new!

Tip: Do you need to find the best easy to maintain whirlpool tubs and wonder what the parameters might be? The jets, your water system, presence of antimicrobial pipes, color, WaterSense certification, the design, and manufacturer manual are good features to ensure are present.

How to keep acrylic bathtub clean

The goal is that the inner and outer surface of the bathtub remains clean and free of streaks, grease spots, or scratches while retaining its original shine.

Therefore, the key is to clean your tub very regularly, twice a week, with products with a light chemical composition, or natural products (homemade recipe). This will help you prevent the build-up of dirt and grimes.

Also, to avoid discoloration, do not smoke around or in the bathtub.

Final thoughts

Remember not only to clean the bathtub and shower thoroughly but also the drain pipe. To prevent the bathtub from clogging, you should clean the shower drain regularly and take precautions. This is the only way to prevent hair and other debris from getting into the drain and getting stuck there. To keep hair and dirt out of the drainpipe, you should put a hair strainer filter in the drain every time you shower. Then clean it after every shower.

And that’s all on how to clean acrylic bathtub and keep it in clean conditions.

Although cleaning the bathtub is an annoying task, we do not want to give up a hot bath. To turn your bathtub into your favorite place and refuge after a hard day, you must transform it into an oasis of well-being. We wish you lots of fun and of course lots of relaxation!

References

1.
Bleach - Wikipedia
Bleach is the generic name for any chemical product that is used industrially and domestically to remove color from a fabric or fiber or to clean or to remove stains in a process called bleaching.
2.
How to Safely Unclog Grease, Oil and Fat From Pipes - E.R. Services
Not sure how to unclog grease, oil and fat from pipes?

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