Some discolorations such as soap scum are easily removed, but rust and hard water can be a challenge. Soap scum, hard water, rust and grime all contribute to leave discolorations on your bathtub. Some of these you can wipe away with no more than a damp cloth if caught right away, but over time they do build up. Discolorations or stains on your bathtub make the entire bathroom feel unclean, but you can remove most of these with a bit of time and effort. The cleaning method to remove discoloration on your bathtub depends on the cause. Mix two parts baking soda and one part hydrogen peroxide into a paste that is thick enough that it will stick to the sides of the tub without running down. Add additional baking soda as needed to thicken the paste if necessary. Apply the paste onto the stains with a clean cloth. Cover the entire stain with the paste. Leave the paste to dry and work on the stain for about 30 minutes. Scrub with a damp sponge and rinse the tub with clean water. Put on rubber gloves and open a window if possible.

Mix a solution of equal parts salt and turpentine. Dip a cloth or a rag into the mixture and rub at the discoloration until it is gone. Rinse the tub thoroughly with clean water. Place the tub stopper in the drain and run hot water into the tub. Pour 3 cups of white vinegar under the running water as the tub fills. Turn off the water once it covers the discolorations. Leave the vinegar and water to work on the stains for about 4 hours. Drain the water from the tub and wipe away the hard water stains with a sponge. Rinse the tub with clean water before use. Mix together equal parts baking soda and cream of tartar. Add enough lemon juice to the dry mixture to make a thick paste. Apply the paste to the rust stains with your fingers or a clean cloth, and let the paste work on the stain for about 30 minutes. Rinse the paste away with warm water and the rust should go with it. If faint traces of rust still discolor the tub, apply the paste again. Fill a small cup or dish with cream of tartar.

Add hydrogen peroxide in small increments until you’ve created a thick paste. The paste must be thick enough to stick to the stain without running off. Apply the paste to the discoloration with a clean cloth, making sure you cover the entire stain. Leave the paste to dry for at least 30 minutes. Wipe the dried paste away with a damp cloth or sponge and rinse the tub with clean water. Things You Will Need Baking soda Hydrogen peroxide Cloth Sponge Rubber gloves Turpentine Salt Vinegar Cream of tartar Lemon juice Tip Warning References Readers Digest: 6 Household Items for a Sparkling BathtubSimply Stated: How to Clean Bathtub Stains Photo Credits Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionFly Emirates T Shirt SaleEdit ArticleHow to Clean Tough Stains from a BathtubTuscan Style Kitchen Flooring Four Methods:Determining Your Type Of TubWays To Clean Porcelain TubsWays To Clean Enamel TubsWays To Clean Acrylic TubsCommunity Q&AHappy Friday Spring Birds Double Duvet Cover

Tough stains in your bathtub got you down? Whether they be stains from everyday use or from drain cleaner and bleach, read below to find some good tips for winning the war against unsightly stains. Know what your tub is made of. This is critical as some cleaning methods cause damage or even worse staining to certain kinds of tubs.This material is stone-like and the most durable for bathtubs and sinks. Enamel.This is common in older tubs and is very sensitive to drain cleaner and bleach. Brown, rust-like stains instantly appear when the tub is exposed to bleach or a strong acid.If you have an acrylic tub, stay away from abrasives like pumice stones. Use an abrasive powder. Use a scouring pad. Clean very tough stains with a pumice stone. This is recommended for tougher stains when scrubbing. Be sure your tub is porcelain when using a pumice stone. Acrylic and enamel bathtubs should NOT have pumice stone applied to them. It will mar the surface with scratches.

For serious stains, apply trisodium phosphates. Avoid bleach and drain cleaners. If you happen to develop a stain due to bleach or drain cleaner, there are several solutions to fix this.Look for a bottle containing 3% peroxide.Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit for 30-60 minutes;Scrub the stain with a damp sponge repeatedly Spray-on soap scum remover. Removing the soap scum first can allow the hydrogen peroxide/baking soda paste easier access to the real grime. Wash your tub often. Be sure to use soft sponges. Use soft cleaners are the key here, since acrylic is easily scratched. Avoid pumice stones and scouring pads. An alternative to a mixture of hydrogen peroxide/baking soda is cream of tartar/hydrogen peroxide. Put some cream of tartar in a bowl and drip in hydrogen peroxide until you have a thick paste. Apply the paste to the stained area and let dry. Rinse away the dried paste and watch the stain disappear. Make sure your spray is suitable for bathtub and washroom areas, as you don't want to be using washing liquid for this.

Be careful with harsh cleaning solutions like oven cleaner, drain cleaner, CLR or lime-away. Protect your eyes with goggles and your skin with rubber gloves. Use oven cleaner only in a well-ventilated area. Test new stain removal procedures on small, inconspicuous areas of your tub to make sure that the finish will not be removed or scratching will not occur. Multipurpose household cleaning solution Brush with stiff bristles When your bathtub becomes dirty with yellow stains and ugly marks, it's difficult to find peace and luxury in what should be a place to relax, unwind, and soak the stress away. Yellow stains are usually formed when deposits of metal, soap scum, molds, and mildew build up in the tub. If one uses razors in the tub, for example, the rust from the metal can cause the surface of the tub to stain as well. Cleaning these blemishes away is a fairly easy task, albeit one that requires a fair amount of scrubbing and washing. Take the bucket and fill it with a gallon of water.

Measure 1/3 cup of the multipurpose household cleaning solution or the detergent and mix it into the water thoroughly. Next, take a soft cloth and dip it in the cleaning solution to rub it over the stained area. Rinse with clean water. If the stain persists, it means you will require a stronger cleaning agent. Mix more detergent into the water and reapply as needed. Working a cleaning paste into the stain will lift stronger, more stubborn stains that aren't affected by the previous step. Make it by adding a minimal amount of water to some baking soda. This paste needs to be spread over the stained portion using a new, clean cloth. Then, take a brush with stiff bristles and scrub the area well. For hard to reach areas and small cracks, you can also use a toothbrush to scrub the paste. By this step the stains are usually reduced by a great degree. However, if they continue to be stubborn, consider using a stronger solution with a greater concentration of baking soda. After you're done scrubbing away the stains, thoroughly rinse the areas where you applied the paste.