<p>Wondering if there is a better way than the way I am doing it (which seems to take too much time).</p>
<p>Thanks!!</p>
<p>Hire a maid!</p>
<p>What is the bathtub made of?</p>
<p>Our tub is fiberglass, no jets (anything else would have made the tub of that size too heavy for its location). I do the cheapo method - put some soap onto a ripped pantyhose and clean the tub (circular motion), then rinse with water. If it needs a bit more cleaning, I use the Barkeeper’s Friend.</p>
<p>One is fiberglass with jets and others are simply fiberglass (I think).</p>
<p>I grew up using Comet. I later switched to Scrubbing Bubbles, because I wanted something that would spray on (and hopefully be less work…lol)… but that doesn’t seem to work as well. </p>
<p>I know to clean the jets I am supposed to fill with hot water, add dishwashing detergent (powder) and turn the jets on for awhile. This Q is more about the basic tub. </p>
<p>Is there much difference between Comet and Barkeepers Friend? They seem similar.</p>
<p>Barkeepers Friend can discolor metal fixtures. Target and Walmart carry a Scotch Brite Dish Brush that has a hollow handle and replaceable Scotch Brite pads. I was going to link a picture but I think it’s illegal here. Fill the handle with 25% Dawn and 75% white vinegar and clean. It gets off hard water-soap scum-snudge. After it’s clean I have spray bottles with the concoction to spray on and hose off. It stays clean a long time. For a really nasty fiberglass shower floor try a scoop of Oxyclean slightly dampened into a paste and scrub with a Mr. Clean Miracle sponge. The method you use for the Jacuzzi works very well. </p>
<p>I spray it down with I think Lysol with Clorox bleach. Then I take a magic eraser and scrub away. Gets it nice and clean easily.</p>
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<p>I know which ones you mean! Good idea. Wish they had those with longer handles!!! :)</p>
<p>I love Dawn and use it often. Hadn’t thought to use it mixed with vinegar in that way, but it will work well, I think.</p>
<p>I have also occasionally used Clorox Clean-Up, but it doesn’t work as well as I think it should. Wonder if it would work better if I added Dawn to it? lol</p>
<p>I am very careful with anything that could be abrasive on fiberglass or acrylic tubs, Once saw a tub that had the outer finish worn away and it was impossible to get it clean. I also am very sensitive to cleaning chemicals, especially sprays/foams and bleach (migraines), so I use vinegar, mild soaps and a non- scratchy soft brush or sponge with a handle. </p>
<p>Fill with hot water. Add one cup bleach and a few squirts of dish detergent. Allow to soak until the water is cold. Drain and wipe clean with a towel. </p>
<p>If you’re worried about wasting water, take a bath in hot water, then top up the tub with more hot water (as high as it will go and consider plugging the overflow drain with a wash cloth), and add the bleach/detergent then.</p>
<p>Vinegar + ammonia is a mild cleaner. Add baking soda for an abrasive, if desired. </p>
<p>I made a spray bottle filled with Dawn, bleach and water. I sprayed each tub and let it sit for a bit. Then a scrubbed with a long handled brush. However, I am not happy with the long handled brush. The “head” seems to flip around and not work as effectively as it should.</p>
<p>I wish it weren’t dangerous to include vinegar. So, if I didn’t use bleach, I would have added vinegar instead. </p>
<p>I am now afraid to use Comet because of concern about scratching. </p>
<p>If you have very good ventilation (exhaust fans), I have heard (from a professional move-out service) that oven cleaner will make your bathtub sparkle. </p>
<p>I think the key is to clean it more frequently, so that there isn’t as much scum to clean each time. I hate to clean, and I don’t feel that cleaning the bathtub is an overwhelming job. Unfortunately, elbow grease is key. Also, use body wash instead of soap, so the wax from the soap is not an issue. That has made a HUGE difference in our household.</p>
<p>If you are finding the job too difficult, I fear that your top finish of fiberglass has worn off, making scum stick and almost impossible to remove.</p>
<p>We use a spray cleaner…varies depending on what is on sale. No comet. Cleansers are not recommended for fiberglass. Just spray it on…and then clean your counters or something. Then go back and wipe it off. Easy peasy.</p>
<p>At out old house, we had a fiberglass tub and the finish was worn…probably due to cleanser. Someone suggested we use car wax on it…so we did. That made a nice difference!</p>
<p>Just used soap scum remover (and loads of elbow grease) on our porcelain tub this week. Looks great. Now, we’ll start to use a soap scum “preventive” product (spray) to keep the build-up down. </p>
<p>OMG, I tried the vinegar/dawn solution on my glass shower door and the hard water and soap scum just wiped right off after letting it sit for five minutes! What a great tip! The only downside is that the bathroom smells like vinegar. b-( </p>
<p>^^
I wonder if adding some fragranced cleaner (like Fabuloso) would help tone down the vinegar?</p>
<p>@dyiu13 What is the scum preventive spray? Please share!</p>
<p>I’m curious - how do your tubs get so hard to clean? I wash mine right after taking a bath, and the tub is easy to clean and looks looks spotless. Maybe that’s the trick - timing. 
We also do not use any foam bath products in the tub (said soaps promote UTIs). I wash the dirt off in the shower and then soak my bones in my extra-large tub. Ahhh… Nice. </p>
<p>For shower, I use a magic-eraser kind of thingy on a stick by Mr Clean when needed, but mostly just a squeegee. It really helps to have epoxy grout!! :)</p>
<p>“What is your best, fastest and easiest way to clean your bathtub?” Build a pool with a spa. Build a nice shower in the mater bath. Never use the silly jetted tub.</p>
<p>More seriously, it all has to do with your water chemistry and your soap/shampoo chemistry. For example: If you have hard water, use only liquid soaps and use one of those "clean shower " sparys daily. They are essentially water softeners that allow the dirt and oils to actually go down the drain instead of clinging to hard water scale on the tub or tiles, while they prevent the scale from building up in the first place.</p>
<p>Yeah Bunsen, you live in a sweet spot of exceptionally good water. Move to Texas and become curious about how your shower suddenly is covered with a nasty film of soap scum and minerals…</p>
<p><<<
I’m curious - how do your tubs get so hard to clean?</p>
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<p>I get really dirty. ;)</p>
<p>Actually, I do wipe down the tub after I use it, but I’m the only one who does. I’m not saying I do a super job each time, but I will take a wash cloth and wipe things down. </p>
<p>I think the mention upthread about soap bars may also be an issue. I use mostly shower gels, but sometimes I do use Dove…and H always uses bars. I didn’t know that bars have a wax that causes buildup. I was thinking it was skin oils from shaving and hair-conditioner were causing issues. </p>
<p>I guess the bars will now disappear and shower gels will become the norm here.</p>