Stained bathtub

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janellelk

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So, we moved into an apartment with an old bathroom. Everything is in great condition but I cannot get over the bathroom. It is tiny and is definitely the most aged. Even after a deep clean, it still looks filthy from the stains on the outside of the bathtub, toilet, and sink!

What can I do? What cleaning supplies will aggressively eradicate these stains without hurting the finish? I'm prepared to get down on my hands and knees with a toothbrush.. I already have with a floor brush. Lol, I'm ready to lose my mind!

Thanks!
 
My friend just painted their bathtub with special paint. Looks great. Was a ugly yellow that was 45-50 years old. Now a clean looking white.
 
A friend had this problem with a home he bought and just used basic cleaning supplies and went to work on it
 
When I was younger having my first place, I let my bathroom get pretty gruesome like what you're describing. I had to get on my hands and knees and just scrub until I was sweating to death the get the hard water stains, and gunk out of my shower! Any kind of basic shower/bathroom cleaner will help you. You just have to put some elbow grease into it.
 
Here's an idea: Lemonade Kool-Aid (without sugar) works to clean stains out of dishwashers. Maybe it would work on bath tubs and sinks as well? Not sure how you'd apply it, maybe pour a packet or three into a spray bottle and fill it with water. Saturate the tub and let it soak for a while. If nothing else, you'll have a lemony fresh bathroom. :)

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I agree...hydrogen peroxide is good but make sure it is 35% food grade. Maybe you can try Simple Green or CLR. If that doesn't work than the only other option is to have it painted.
 
Repainting it would be the best bet so it'll be nice and shiny afterwards! If not, you can try using fantastik spray along with the toothbrush to scrub off the grime. Let it soak for about ten minutes, if you don't like the scent there's the lemon one too!
 
For cleaning bathroom quickly, use baby wipes! These handy sheets aren't only great for wiping baby's bottom. They can also be used for efficiently wiping surfaes such as countertops and behind the toilet. If you liked that speedy bathroom cleaning tip, try this one: use a damp dryer sheet to remove soap scum from shower doors and walls. Not only does it remove this unsightly film, but it leaves the room smelling clean and fresh.
 
Look up homemade cleaners using vinegar...you would be so surprised how good it can work
 
Muriatic acid and safety gear plus a little elbow grease will knock those stains back to white. If the thought of using acid scares you (it shouldn't; just be smart about it) you can use a toilet duck type cleanser. These have a diluted form of the same thing in there make up and that's what keeps your toilet white. I personally have reclaimed a fiberglas tub enclosure from hard water stains as orange as a pumpkin to showroom white with nothing more than a cloth, acid, and a respirator. Total time was maybe 10 minutes.
 
I think painting over or using comet mixed with baking soda would be the best. Honestly, it just might take a ton of elbow grease and labor. You can do it in sections to make it easier, if you go with painting it-be sure to talk to a specialist at home depot or something to see what kind would be the best. Good LUck.

ps. post pictures!
 
Look up homemade cleaners using vinegar...you would be so surprised how good it can work

I definitely agree! Make a paste out of vinegar and baking soda and use with scouring pad, leave for 15 minutes. Rinse it with 1 part vinegar and water. You'll be surprised at the result.
 
Dust borax all over. Spray white vinegar, leave for 15-30 minutes and scrub, scrub, scrub!
 
The Works toilet bowl cleaner worked on both the toilet and the 50 year old tub in this house. They were nasty with rust and lime. I squirted some of The Works directly on the stains, let it sit and bubble a few minutes then rinsed. It took about 4 applications to get the tub a bright, shiny white. Looks almost new.
 
We used Oxy-Clean and a Magic Eraser and a lot of elbow grease. It worked. Good luck!
 

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