Nothing ruins a relaxing moment in the shower like a disgusting, grimy stain on your shower floor or bathtub. With constant exposure to hard water, soap, dirt, and all sorts of other grit, this area is prone to staining. And the longer you ignore the issue, the worse it gets. Luckily, there are some fairly simple solutions to remove that annoying stain from your shower. Read on to learn more!
What Tools Will I Need to Remove a Shower Stain?
There are a few different methods you can use to remove a stain from your shower or bathtub.
- Sponge
- Spray Bottle
- Baking soda
- Dry abrasive cleaner
- “Magic” Eraser
- Hydrogen peroxide
- White vinegar
Quick Tips For Cleaning Your Shower
- Avoid ammonia when cleaning a fiberglass tub. Ammonia is alkaline and can damage this type of material.
- Opt for gentle cleansers. Dish soap diluted in a spray bottle of water can be a great option for cutting through shower grime.
- Pick the right tools. Don’t reach for a harsh scrub tool such as steel wool. This will only damage the shower floor finish. Instead use a sponge, cloth, or soft brush.
Different Types of Stains
You may notice that there are several different kinds of stains that can appear on a shower or bathtub. Each color indicates a different root cause. The method you use to clean the stain may vary depending on what color it is. Here are some of the most common stain colors and what causes them:
- Yellow – tannins created by decayed organic matter
- Pink – bacteria (Serratia Marcescens)
- Reddish-brown – iron
- Rust-colored and blue-green stains – low pH or acidic water
- Black – mold or mildew
How to Remove Tough Shower Stains
Let’s go over a couple of methods you can try to remove that pesky shower stain. There are quite a few tried and true techniques to try. Some you can even achieve with tools you likely already have around the house!
Scrub, Scrub, Scrub
Before anything else, try your regular cleaning routine. Let your cleaner soak in for 10-15 minutes and then put in some elbow grease to scrub those stains away. A lot of the time, this will do the trick. But if you want an easier, less invasive cleaning option, move on to the methods below.
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Create a paste that is one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts baking soda. Apply the paste and allow it to work its magic for at least 30 minutes. Now scrub with a sponge or nylon brush and rinse with warm water. This works wonders on red or black stains. But avoid using this method on acrylic tubs. It could scratch the surface.
Lemon and Salt
Fresh lemon juice is a powerful tool to combat red and brown rust stains. First, apply coarse salt to the area. Now apply the lemon juice liberally. Allow the solution to soak for no more than 5 minutes – any more time can actually cause damage due to the acidic nature of the lemon juice. Scrub the stain and vualá! Good as new!
Vinegar Spray
Address yellow stains and soap scum with vinegar. This is also a great option for delicate surfaces such as acrylic tubs. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar. You can add a few drops of essential oil if you want to improve the smell. Apply a generous amount of vinegar to the stained area. After 20 minutes, scrub away the stain with a sponge.
“Magic” Eraser
“Magic” erasers or melamine sponges are a great option for tough shower stains. These are great for all kinds of stains but they’re especially helpful for rust-colored and blue-green stains. Simply wet the sponge and scrub away the stains. It’s helpful to clean your tub with your regular cleaner first before using a magic eraser. But we don’t recommend using this tool on acrylic tubs as it may scratch the surface.
Regular Cleaning
The best way to avoid stains is the clean your shower regularly. Ideally, you should clean your shower daily. But we understand that this isn’t necessarily realistic for most busy, working adults. Shoot for cleaning your shower once a week to avoid severe shower and tub stains.
Get Some Help From the Pros
Need help keeping clean? Clean Bees is ready and able to be your ally in house cleaning! If you’re in the Fort Collins area, get in touch to learn more about our professional cleaning services!
Interested in joining our hive? We are always looking for new team members! Learn more about working at Clean Bees here!
