Bathtubs can get extremely nasty, and that’s not your fault. We take baths to wash off grime and dirt. But not cleaning your bathtub properly, that’s on you. Dirty bathtubs can be repulsive and sometimes even injurious to health.
That’s why we’re bringing a new solution to you to give your bathtub an effective cleaning. A great cleaning agent is hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide is a multipurpose chemical. One of them is a high oxidizing property, which makes it a good cleaning agent. It acts as a disinfectant and can kill germs within minutes. It can bleach as well.
Hydrogen peroxide is a very common household chemical and is available at almost every local pharmacy. It is comparatively a cheaper alternative to store-bought cleaners.
What Makes Your Bathtub Dirty?
We all are advised to take baths daily as it can help relax the muscles. It can help you release stress and can also improve your joints if the right bath salts are used.
But taking a bath daily can cause a lot of damage to the bathtub. If it is not cleaned properly, it can pose a serious health hazard. If you take baths regularly but don’t clean your bathtub, the scum, soap, and grime will deposit into the crevices inside the tub.
If the grime is not cleaned properly, it will attract mold and other types of fungi. The soap can also cause stains and, if not cleaned, can cause severe damage to the bathtub.
Hard Water and Mineral Stains
Hard water has a higher concentration of minerals. When the water passes through limestones, minerals such as magnesium and calcium are absorbed by the water. This water is safe to drink and to use for domestic purposes.
Due to the high concentration of minerals in hard water, rings and crusty stains can be formed under the sink, showers, toilets, and the bathtub.
Soap Build Up
Soaps are made up of fat, water, and lye (sodium hydroxide). When you wash without soap, the grease doesn’t wash away. But using the soap removes the grease and leaves a cleaner, grease-free body.
When soap reacts with hard water, complex compounds are formed. These compounds are magnesium stearate and calcium stearate. They are deposited on the walls of the bathtub. These deposits appear in a thin white/grey chalky layer known as soap scum.
Dirt Stains
Throughout the day, dirt residuals build up in your hair and your body. When you go out, the air blows dirt into your hair which is deposited deep into your scalp. In the same way, the dirt is also deposited on your skin and your clothes.
The dirt is released from your skin pores when you use soap or shampoo during the bath. After you are done, this dirt is left as a residual in the bathtub. If not cleaned properly, the dirt can leave stains and can make your bathtub look like a nuisance.
Germ Build Up
Germs are everywhere around us. They are on our skin, clothes, air, everywhere. But they need specific conditions to survive, such as specific temperatures. For example, some germs die when the temperature rises to 100 C°, but for some germs, even 40 C° is enough to kill them.
The environment is the most vital condition for any germ to survive. And a dirty bathtub provides a perfect environment for such a purpose. It provides warm, humid conditions, which most germs like, causing them to multiply.
Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean Your Bathtub
Hydrogen peroxide is a very effective cleaning agent. It is available at every pharmacy. It is also cheaper than pre-packaged bathroom cleaners.
The bathtub cleaner can be made readily with just a few ingredients. These ingredients are always sitting in the back of your kitchen cabinets. And now, you can use them to clean your bathtub within a few minutes.
#1 Cleaning Bathtub Stains With Hydrogen Peroxide
Cleaning bathtub stains can be laborious and even cause a sprain in your back. They are one of the most difficult ones because they are formed by a mixture of a lot of substances such as minerals, grease, dirt, and soap.
These substances are set inside the crevices of the bathtub and can leave very tough stains.
There is a vast variety of different bathtub cleaners in the market. And you have the option to choose from a different range of bathtub cleaners with varying price tags.
But the most effective and cheapest bathtub cleaner can be made at home. We have explained how to make your bathtub cleaner down below.
What You Need
- 100 grams of 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 200 grams of baking powder
- 1 glass bowl
- 1 spoon or whisk to mix
- Rubber gloves
- Kitchen towel
Steps
- Wash the bowl with soap and rinse it with water. Leave it to dry. It is very important to wash the bowl with soap to remove any dirt or external particles.
- Wear your gloves. Hydrogen peroxide can cause skin burns if exposed to the skin for a long period. To avoid any medical emergencies, use good quality rubber gloves.
- Now in the bowl, add the baking powder and the hydrogen peroxide.
- With the help of a spoon or a whisk, mix it until well combined.
- Apply this paste to the stains of your bathtub. Remember to wear gloves as you don’t want to expose your skin to the paste.
- Leave the paste on for 30 minutes at least. We would recommend leaving it for 60 minutes to get rid of the toughest stains.
- Wipe it off using the kitchen towel.
- Rinse and repeat if needed.
#2 Disinfecting Bathtub With Hydrogen Peroxide
Bathtubs are a perfect place for germs to grow. Especially uncleaned bathtubs are a haven for germs like bacteria and fungi to feast on. When we take a bath all the skin residuals, dirt, and minerals are deposited on the base of the bathtub.
If this is not cleaned properly, germs can make your bathtub their home. To avoid this, cleaning your bathtub is not enough. You need to disinfect your bathtub as well.
What You Need
- 200 grams of 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 1 Spray bottle
- Rubber gloves
- 1 funnel
Steps
- Firstly, wash the spray bottle using soap and rinse it with water. Put it on a rack to dry completely.
- Wear your gloves to avoid any skin damage.
- Now fill the spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide. To avoid spillage, use a funnel and close the top of the bottle tightly.
- Spray the peroxide all over the bathtub and leave it for 30 minutes.
- The peroxide will start to bubble on the surface. Don’t worry. This means it is working.
- Rinse the bathtub using water.
Using Alternative Methods to Clean Your Bathtub
There are multiple methods to clean your bathtub. There are a variety of different options available at your local supermarket.
But there are also alternative homemade cleaners that don’t even need hydrogen peroxide. These substitute methods are very effective and can be made at home with simple ingredients.
#1 Cleaning Bathtub Stains With Vinegar and Baking Soda
Don’t worry If you don’t have hydrogen peroxide in your home. You don’t need to run to your nearest pharmacy. Instead, you can substitute for peroxide.
There are two types of vinegar, natural and synthetic. Synthetic vinegar is made from the fermentation of sugars. Later on, acetic bacteria are added to turn ethanol into acetic acid. Vinegar is a solution of acetic acid and water. It typically contains 5% – 8% of acetic acid.
The acetic acid has a pH level of 2-3. This means it has a mild acidic level. This property, along with others, makes vinegar a perfect cleaner and disinfectant. You will need the following ingredients to make a cleaning paste using vinegar.
What You Need
- 100 grams of white vinegar
- 200 grams of baking soda
- 1 glass bowl
- 1 spoon or whisk
- 1 pair of rubber gloves
- Kitchen towel
Steps
- Wash the bowl with soap and rinse it with water. Leave it on a rack to dry completely.
- Wear your rubber gloves. Although they are not necessary, it is always good to protect yourself.
- In the bowl, pour vinegar along with the baking powder. Do not add all the baking powder at the same time. Because it will effervesce and flow out of the bowl. Instead, add a quarter of it first.
- Using the spoon or whisk, combine the baking powder with the vinegar. Add the rest of the vinegar and mix it. It will turn into a thick white paste.
- With your hands or the spoon, apply the paste to the stains.
- Leave it for 30 minutes. For tougher stains, it is recommended to leave them for 60 minutes.
- Wipe it off using the kitchen towel. Repeat the process if needed.
#2 Cleaning Bathtub Stains With Drain Cleaner
Bathtub drains can get clogged with time. If the bathtub is not cleaned properly, the skin residuals, dirt, and broken hair can clog the drain. If not dealt with immediately, this can cause severe plumbing issues.
Drain cleaners are one of the products available at supermarkets. They are made to unclog your drain. They are a mixture of different chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide and baking powder, among others.
Drain cleaners are very easy to use. We have explained how to use drain cleaners down below.
What You Need
- Drain cleaner (Use the best quality drain cleaner)
- 1 pair of Rubber gloves
Steps
- Wear your rubber gloves. It is crucial to wear gloves because drain cleaner can seriously damage your skin.
- Twist the cap of the drain cleaner bottle. And open it carefully.
- Try not to spill any liquid on the surface as it can cause harm to certain materials.
- You can place a plastic sheet under the bottle to avoid mishaps. In case it is spilled, your surface won’t corrode.
- Drain the whole bottle in your bathtub.
- Leave it for at least 30 minutes.
- Flush it with water.
- Repeat if needed.
Why Hydrogen Peroxide Is The Best Bathtub Cleaner?
Hydrogen peroxide can clean the toughest of stains. Whether they are dirt stains or soap build-up. It can even wipe out mineral stains. It can also wipe out the mold and mildew and can make your bathtub brand new.
As hydrogen peroxide also acts as a disinfectant. It eliminate most of the bacteria and other germs. Hydrogen peroxide is also a safer alternative than commercial cleansers. It is environmentally friendly and doesn’t give off toxic fumes. It is also cheaper than the commercial cleansers on the market.
Best-In-Class Disinfectant
Hydrogen peroxide is the best disinfectant you can use. It is a natural disinfectant and is used to clean up sepsis and prevent infection. It is not as toxic as other chemicals. It is a better and safer alternative to all the commercial cleaners.
It is also very easy to use. All you need is to make a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. Fill it in a spray bottle, and Voila! You have got the best disinfectant.
Spray the liquid all over the surfaces. You can spray them all over your bathroom, door knobs, and other surfaces. And you don’t have to worry about germs anymore because, with one Spray and wipe, you have got the most cleaned surface.
Bleaches the Bathtub
As listed above, different components can leave different colored stains on the bathtub. Soap leaves a white grey/chalky layer, whereas bacteria caused by improper care of the bathtub can leave red and black strains. The other microorganisms, such as fungus, can also leave green and black stains.
These stains, even after getting cleaned, need to be bleached. But if you are using hydrogen peroxide as the cleaning agent, they will be bleached on their own. Because hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent and can make these stains go away.
Hydrogen peroxide acts as a bleaching agent and makes your bathtub white again. It gives a new shine to your old bathtub. It makes it look as if you have just purchased it brand new.
Oxidizes the Stains Away
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound containing two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms. It has one extra oxygen atom than the compounds of water. This extra oxygen gives it the ability to oxidize readily.
Peroxide is a faster oxidizing agent than oxygen. It can oxidize very quickly into H positive and OH negative radicals. They quickly attack the stains and cause them to break down.
The time to break down stains varies on the size of stains. If they are bigger, it takes more time. It also depends on how old the stain is. The older the stain, the more time it takes.
What Percentage of Peroxide is Best for Cleaning Bathtubs
Hydrogen peroxide available at the pharmacy for domestic purposes is 3%. This means that it contains 97% water and 3% hydrogen peroxide. This concentration of peroxide is more stable and is used for household purposes.
This 3% peroxide is best to clean bathtubs because it is more stable and doesn’t corrode the surface of the bathtub. It is strong enough to break down the stains but not strong enough to damage the bathtub.
Safety Precautions to Observe
The household hydrogen peroxide is stable enough not to cause any harm, but it can cause certain problems to certain people. For people with any skin disease or lung problems, it is advised to not work with hydrogen peroxide.
And if they do, they should take full measures against it. It is always the best idea to take precautions in order to avoid any problems later on. Nothing takes precedence over your health!
Some very common safety precautions against hydrogen peroxide are
- Using splash goggles. This is to ensure that no liquid splashes go into your eyes.
- Using a pair of rubber gloves. This is to ensure that your skin doesn’t come in contact with hydrogen peroxide.
- Using a vapor respirator. This will ensure that the air you breathe is clean and does not contain any toxic and harmful fumes.
Hydrogen peroxide can cause skin, eye, nausea, and vomiting. If you come in contact with peroxide, rinse it properly with cold water.
The Takeaway
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the best inventions in human history. Its unique property of acting as an oxidizing agent, bleaching agent, and disinfectant makes it a versatile chemical compound.
It is a cheaper alternative to most cleaning products. And not just cheaper, it is probably the best and most efficient chemical compound to clean your house.
It is free from harmful chemicals that most commercial cleaners contain, which makes it safer to use. Its excess availability also gives it an extra boost in its popularity.
