Don’t we all love a warm, relaxing bubble bath? But while a shower can make you feel refreshed and energized, it often results in hard water stains, soap scum, and dirty grout stains. If not treated immediately, your bathtub can turn into the best spot for mold and mildew infestations! We recently covered our 7 step process for making your bathtub white again with common home ingredients.
But sometimes a tub needs a deeper clean to get rid of stains and clogged drains. So we have compiled our top picks of the best bathtub cleaners in the market to help you choose the best one for you.
These bathtub cleaning products are the go-to cleaners for most reviewers and will make your bathtub looking sparkly clean with one use. Most of these products are also easy to use and budget-friendly. Check out their pros and cons to find the best bathtub cleaner according to your preferences.
Best Bathtub Cleaners
1. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Scrubber
If you want a tough formula that removes soap scum, mildew, and any kind of stubborn stains without damaging the grout, look no further.
The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Scrubber is an effective bathtub cleaner while being easy to use. It is hassle-free since you won’t require any buckets, mops, sprays, etc. The melamine sponge is bigger than that of the original Mr. Clean Eraser so it is more convenient for cleaning the areas surrounding the bathtub too.
Plus, the sponge’s texture also helps in achieving a squeaky clean surface in a single wipe.
Pros
- Powerful cleaning formula and textured sponge can erase tough-stains
- Just wet the sponge, squeeze, and wipe. No need for buckets, mops, wipers, etc.
- Bigger sponge covers more surface area and helps clean faster
- Suitable for cleaning fiberglass, tiles, etc.
- Does not damage grout
- Convenient and efficient
Cons
- Not suitable for acrylic bathtubs
- Some users have complained about the sponge falling apart after a few uses
2. Clorox Plus Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover (2-pack)
The Clorox Plus Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover is one of the most potent cleaning solutions. The formula includes bleach and other cleaning agents that help in getting rid of mold infestations, soap scum build-up, and mildew stains.
All you have to do is spray the product on your bathtub, tiles, etc., and wait for 5 minutes. Thereafter, you can scrub gently or put some pressure, depending on the stains. Although the strong scent is a bummer, the product does not disappoint in any other way. It is suitable to be used on tile, fiberglass, porcelain, and grout.
Plus, the refill packs are easily available so you do not have to worry about buying too many plastic containers.
Pros
- Contains chlorine bleach and other strong ingredients that remove stains instantly
- Easy to use
- Extremely effective on mold infestation
- Suitable for tile, fiberglass, porcelain, and grout
- Refill packs available
Cons
- Foul smell
- Needs to be used carefully near wallpaper and fabric
3. CLR Pro Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover
If you’ve been struggling with tough mineral deposits that make your bathtub look stained, even after cleaning, check out the CLR Pro Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover. Hard water stains are not so hard now, are they?
Whether the surface is porcelain or metal, CLR goes to the core of the stain and dissolves it. All you have to do is mix the CLR solution with warm water in a 1:1 ratio, and use it on the required areas with a sponge. While it is best to check the directions for use mentioned on the container, according to our experience, older stains need undiluted CLR.
Finally, you can use this multi-purpose cleaner to unclog faucets and showerheads as well.
Pros
- Cleans hard water stains, mineral deposits, etc.
- Unclogs showerheads, faucets, drains, etc.
- Easy to use— just mix with water and apply
- Very powerful formula
Cons
- Acidic enough to harm certain surfaces
- Do not mix with other solutions
- Produces harmful fumes
4. The Bucko Soap Scum and Grime Remover
Although The Bucko Soap Scum and Grime Remover is not meant for hard water stains, it is strong enough to remove soap scum, grime, and other gunk. Your dirty acrylic tubs, glass shower doors, tiles, grouts, etc. will be shining after a spray or two of this scented cleanser.
You can let the solution sit for a few minutes on tough stains, or just spray and wipe for easy stains. Either way, you will not have to resort to scrubbing vigorously, making this soap scum cleaner an effort and time saver!
We like this product because it doubles up as a shower cleaner, tile cleaner, outdoor furniture cleaner, and more. Reviews on Amazon swear by the convenience and versatility of this multi-purpose cleaner.
Pros
- Can be used on bathtubs, tiles, showerheads, fiberglass, grout, outdoor furniture, etc.
- Does not contain harsh chemicals
- Mild fragrance
- No need to scrub
- Highly recommended for acrylic bathtubs
Cons
- Not suitable for discoloration caused by hard water
5. Whink Hair Clog Blaster
This one’s for the long-haired peeps out there. Don’t we hate it when the bathtub drain gets clogged by hair strands? This further leads to soap and shampoo residue and it is not a pleasant sight.
Your one-stop solution to a clogged drain is the Whink Hair Clog Blaster. The formula contains sodium metasilicate, sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, and modified amine oxide which is a powerful mixture for unclogging drains.
All you have to do is carefully pour the product down the drain, wait for half an hour, and flush.
Note: It is best to wear gloves while using this extremely potent formula. We insist that you go through the safety instructions before use.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Very powerful formula that works wonders
- Efficiently unclogs drains
- Value for money
Cons
- Very harsh chemicals can be harmful if comes in contact with skin
- Not very commonly available
6. Lysol with Hydrogen Peroxide Multi-Purpose Cleaner (Pack of Two)
The Lysol with Hydrogen Peroxide Multi-Purpose Cleaner does not contain bleach so it is not strong enough for old, tough stains.
But it is an effective stain remover and a great option for a weekly bathroom cleaning session. This bathtub cleaner dissolves soap scum, cuts through grease, and kills bacteria.
Since it does not contain bleach, it is also safe enough to use without gloves or any other protective gear.Though, you’ll have to resort to some elbow grease to achieve a squeaky clean bathtub. To make it easier on your body, we recommend using a scrubber or any cleaning brush instead of a sponge or cloth.
Finally, according to some buyers on Amazon, this tub cleaner produces a strong, unpleasant odor so it is suggested that you do not use it right before taking a shower, but instead clean your tub the night before and let it air out with the bathroom door open.
Pros
- Easy to use spray bottle
- Gentle enough to use without protective gear
- Effective sanitizer— kills 99.9% viruses and bacteria
- Great for cleaning tiles
Cons
- Too mild for tough stains
- Needs scrubbing with an abrasive cleaning brush
- Unpleasant odor
7. Oh Yuk Tub System Cleaner
The Oh Yuk System Jetted Bathtub Cleaner is the best bathroom cleaner for tubs, whirlpools, jacuzzis, etc. Within 15 minutes, this product will eliminate soap build-up, black flakes, body oils, and other stains, and your bathtub will look as clean as new. This tub cleaner is also popular for being scientifically engineered and tested so you can rest assured of the formula being foolproof. It is harsh on stains but not on your skin and will not cause any discoloration on your shower curtains. We highly recommend this product for those who own a jetted bathtub but you might never want to use a hotel bathtub after seeing all the “Yuk” that it pulls out!
Pros
- Safe enough to use without gloves
- Does not harm acrylic bathtubs, shower curtains, etc.
- Best suited for jetted tubs
- Cleans in 15 minutes
Cons
- Some complaints regarding the product quantity as compared to its price
8. Ahh-Some Hot Tub Cleaner
As the name suggests, the Ahh-Some Hot Tub Cleaner gives awesome results within minutes. It removes body oils, soap and foaming stains, grime, etc. and is suitable for jetted tubs, hot tubs, whirlpools, etc.
The container holds a generous amount of the product that can last for up to 16 bathtub cleaning sessions. This eco-friendly formula is also a great sanitizer to keep bacterial and fungal infestations at bay.
Plus, we like how this cleaner is non-corrosive and non-acidic so it does not cause skin irritation. It is also safe for cleaning plumbing and metal fixtures.
Lastly, the small container is easy to store and carry around.
Pros
- Powerful formula removes gunk, grime, black flakes, fungal infestations, etc.
- Non-corrosive and non-acidic
- Does not harm plumbing and metal fixtures
- Good amount of product for an affordable price
- Eco-friendly formula; can be disposed of anywhere
Cons
- May require more than one use to clean the jets entirely
Things to Consider While Buying a Bathtub Cleaner
Types of Bathtubs
The size and material of your bathtub is an important factor while choosing the best bathtub cleaner. Since most tub cleaners are made of strong chemicals, some may harm a particular material. Some of the most popular materials used in making bathtubs are acrylic, porcelain, fiberglass, and cast iron. You must check the instruction label on a bathroom cleaner to know whether it is suitable for your bathtub.
Fragrance
Due to the chemicals in these bathtub cleaners, they might emit some unpleasant odor. Ensure that the one you choose does not produce harmful fumes that may cause breathing problems in the long run.
Types of Ingredients/ Effectiveness
Just like the first point, the ingredients in a particular bathtub cleaner determine whether it will be effective enough on your bathtub or not. Some ingredients may cause discoloration on shower walls, shower walls, stainless steel, etc. We recommend asking the seller beforehand or checking Amazon reviews.
Versatility
It is best to purchase a product that offers more than one uses. If a formula can provide a sparkly clean bathtub, tiles, windows, and more— it’s a steal! Do your research and then make the splurge.
Method of Using
In this busy and fast-paced world, the last thing we’d want to do is scrub our bathtub. Get your hand on a heavy-duty formula that works well without scrubbers, cleaning brushes, mops, etc. There are plenty of options in the market that require you to simply pour the product and voilà… a brand new bathtub!
Conclusion
Why waste time scrubbing the bathtub with DIY methods when you can get powerful cleaners and sanitizers that will do the job within minutes. While natural cleaners like white vinegar, baking soda, etc. may be readily available in the kitchen, pitching in a few extra bucks can save you so much time and effort.
But remember, tough stains caused by foaming, hard water stains, soap scum, etc. often need strong and potent mixtures to be completely erased.
Our list of best bathtub cleaners and shopping tips will help you pick the perfect formula for your bathroom.
