Everyone loves a relaxing bath at the end of the day. But nothing kills the vibe of an at-home spa moment like a dirty bathtub. 

Luckily, plenty of cleaning products can make keeping your bath clean a little easier. 

If you’re ready to clean but you’re not sure how to navigate the world of bathroom cleaners, the first step is to assess the situation. Take an honest look at your tub and decide whether you need a deep clean or just your everyday cleaning routine. Is there mold or mildew, hard-water residue, or calcium deposits?

Whatever the case, we have options that work well in our comprehensive list below; we just want to prepare you. 

Don’t postpone your self-care because of a dirty tub when you can tackle even the most difficult mess with the right products and a bit of effort. Plus, after a DIY deep cleaning, a relaxing bath is a great reward.

How to clean a bathtub 

The best way to clean a bathtub is with a little bit of elbow grease. The time investment will be worth it, especially if your tub begs for a deep cleaning. 

Below, we’ll list some handy products to make your life easier when it comes time to remove stubborn stains and grime, but you can also make great progress with standard household pantry items like baking soda and dish soap. If your bathtub has a shower head, now might be a great time to clean it, too.

1. Pour or splash hot water over the entire surface of the tub. 

2. Coat the surfaces of the bathtub with baking soda or the cleaning product of your choice. 

Housekeeper’s tip: If you choose a stronger cleaning product, make sure that it won’t negatively interact with the dish soap in the next step. This shouldn’t be the case, but watch out for dangerous combinations like bleach and vinegar or bleach and ammonia when cleaning. When in doubt, read the label of the products you’re using and search online for potentially dangerous interactions. 

1. Fill a bucket up with hot water and add in a couple of pumps of dish soap. 

2. Use a heavy-duty sponge or bathtub cleaner brush to wash the inside of the tub. It’s time to get your hands dirty and really scrub to remove mold, soap scum, and build-up in general. 

Note: When we say “hands dirty,” this is more of a figure of speech. You should use rubber gloves to protect your hands whenever cleaning with chemical products.

1. If you have a particularly tough job in front of you, add more baking soda to the tub sporadically. You can even put the powder right on your sponge or scrub brush. 

2. Rinse the tub out periodically as you work and very thoroughly once you’re finished scrubbing. 

3. Wipe down and dry off the handles, faucets, and other hardware with a clean cloth. If they’re stainless steel, they should come clean quickly.

4. If you have a bit of extra time and want to clean the grout of your tub, check out our step-by-step tutorial here. (A tile cleaner will also do the trick).

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The 6 best bathtub cleaners

1. The best general cleaning product: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser 

You’ve probably heard rave reviews about this miraculous cleaning product before, and we’ll back them up. The brand offers a product specifically for bathtubs, and the best part is that you don’t even need a bucket or additional cleaning tools to use it. Simply wet the “magic” sponge and get to work. If you’re one of those people wondering what the easiest way to clean a bathtub is, let us assure you that this is it. 

2. The best cleaner for a stained bathtub: RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Spray

If you have an unsightly mildew problem on your hands, bring in a bathtub cleaner spray made just for this issue. This cleaner is advertised as one of the best bathtub cleaners without scrubbing. Just let the solution work for 15 seconds and wipe away excess product. This product contains bleach, so ventilate your area well and wear gloves. (Mind your chemical reactions, too.)

3. The best bathtub cleaner tool: Homitt Electric Spin Scrubber

How do you remove grime from a bathtub without lifting a finger? Let a machine do the dirty work. This cleaning device will need to be used with your favorite cleansing solution, but having mechanical help reduces the amount of energy you’ll invest in your cleaning project. 

4. A natural solution for your tub: Puracy Organic Natural Multi-Surface Cleaner

If you shy away from harsh chemicals and aren’t convinced by the baking soda scrubbing method we described above, try a natural spray. Plants power this product,  and you can leave it on the surface you’re cleaning for 30 seconds to achieve a deeper cleanse.

5. The best cleaner for dirty jobs: Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser

What’s better than a bathtub cleaner that’s tough on stains? You can also use a multi-purpose cleaner on your bar countertop, metal surfaces, and beyond. Unlike this brand’s powdered product, this cleanser requires no water. Simply spread some of the solution on the surface you’re cleaning with a damp sponge. Let the product work for roughly a minute before rinsing it away and drying the surface of your tub with a clean cloth. 

6. The best cleaning product to remove stains from hard water or rust: CLR Pro Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover

Hard water stains are stubborn, but you can make those stains disappear with this heavy-duty product. This non-toxic product works hard to dissolve tough substances, and despite the solution’s noble qualities, it’s still a chemical product, so be sure to wear gloves and protect your eyes from splashes.

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When it’s time to clean your bathtub, Gopuff is there to help. You can order all the bathtub cleaning agents you need in seconds and have them at your door in a matter of minutes. Your at-home spa session is closer than you think.