Cleaning Bathtubs And Showers
By Donna Vincent
Baths
Cleaning your bath should be at the very heart of your domestic cleaning routine. Ideally you should wipe down your bath with a sponge and rinse with water after each use to prevent soap scum from building up. This will mean your bath requires a lot less attention in the long term, and will lessen the need for the hard process of scrubbing away caked-on soap scum.
In fibreglass/acrylic and enamel baths you may not need to buy expensive products, so first try cleaning the tub with washing-up liquid and a soft cloth. Limescale can be removed in fibreglass and acrylic baths using a solution of half white vinegar and half water. Try not to get the vinegar elsewhere on the bath and remember to rinse thoroughly and then dry.
At the bottom of most baths is a slip mat which cna be scrubbed with some dishwashing detergent and a brush or soft cloth. Alternatively you can apply baking soda onto a sponge for a grittier clean. Mould growing on the underside of the mat should be scrubbed with a nailbrush, using a mixture of one part bleach to four parts warm water.
Top Tip: If you have an enamel bath rust stains can be reduced by pasting a mixture of baking soda and water over the stain, and leaving for one hour. This can be repeated as many times as necessary. If you’re still struggling to remove the rust, try a combination of lemon juice and salt.
Showers
Like baths, showers should be wiped with a sponge after use and rinsed with water. Glass walls can also be squeegeed or doors and curtains left open to allow air to circulate. These preventative measures, alongside a simple weekly cleaning routine, will ensure that soap scum, mildew and hard water deposits will not have a chance to set.
To clean the shower remove all contents such as shampoo bottles and soaps and spray with an all purpose cleaner. Use a nylon scourer and work from top to bottom, using an ancient toothbrush or grout brush on any stubborn stains or build-up. If you have some lemon oil furniture polish you can apply this to the shower walls by rubbing it on with a cloth as this is a fantastic way to prevent mineral deposits from forming.
Shower curtains that are machine washable can be placed in the washing machine accompanied by two large towels. Be sure to remove them before the spin cycle and hang up to let the creases dry out. For shower curtains that are not machine washable, soak in a solution of one part bleach to four parts warm water.