TikTok has turned just about everything in a life hack. You can find creative cleaning videos for any surface, especially in the bathroom. This has sparked a new trend: cleaning bathtubs and showers with toilet bowl cleaner.
Before you dive into this trend, you need to know the facts. Most toilet bowl cleaners aren’t designed for bathtubs. Read on to determine if you should try this in your home.
Can You Use Liquid Toilet Bowl Cleaner when Cleaning Bathtubs?
Liquid toilet bowl cleaners usually come in a thick consistency, similar to dishwashing liquid. They may be green or blue in color, and that color is what can cause problems. If you have light colored grout and you use colorful toilet bowl cleaner, you may find your grout stained beyond recognition. The same can be said for a bathtub with a worn-down topcoat. Instead of having a bright white tub, you may end up with a soft blue tint.
You should also be leery of toilet bowl cleaners that are made with bleach. This can change the color of your grout. Those cleaners often have abrasive additives, which will remove gunk but also create subtle scratches in your tub. This makes it more susceptible to staining.
Simply put, you should tread lightly before using a liquid toilet bowl cleaner on your bathtub and grout. Test it in a small space before committing to a large application.
Maryland Tub & Tile will give you complete information on what they recommend using on tub & tile refinishing.
Can You Use Powder Toilet Bowl Cleaner in the Shower?
Powder toilet bowl cleaner is somewhat safe to use in the shower, but it can be tricky to apply to the walls. Liquid, spray and paste cleaners all have a way to grip onto vertical surfaces. Powder just slides right off.
Powder cleaners are also considered micro-abrasives, much like melamine sponges (magic eraser pads). This means that they’re going to scuff away at the surface of your tub and shower. If you turn the powder into a paste by mixing it with a bit of water, you may be exposing the tub to future staining. The best course here is to use micro-abrasive cleaners in moderation.
A Better Way to Clean Your Tub and Shower
Here is a safe way to clean your shower without using toilet bowl cleaner:
- Run hot water in the shower for 5 minutes. This will create steam and loosen the surface grime in the shower area.
- Combine equal parts vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray down freshly steamed shower walls to kill bacteria and dissolve the mineral deposits on the surface. Let this sit for at least 10 minutes. You could clean other parts of the bathroom and then come back to this later.
- Use a non-abrasive sponge to wipe down the walls and the edge of the tub. You may need to rinse the area with warm water first, depending on how much the vinegar solution has dried.
- For stubborn stains, use mild dishwashing liquid or a melamine sponge to spot clean. You can also test cleaners specifically designed for showers, but be aware of the chemicals within. Use the cleaner in a small area before applying it all over your tub.
Have a tub that’s stained beyond repair? Contact Maryland Tub and Tile at 877-717-8827 to schedule a quote for bathtub and shower refinishing.
