Raise your hand if you like cleaning your bathroom! No takers, right? Okay, let’s get more specific: What about your bathtub? Yeah, I didn’t think so! Getting down on all fours to remove disgusting gunk from a porous, bacteria-filled surface isn’t high on our fun list either. That’s why we’re bringing you a DIY solution that works so well, all it takes is a little scrubbing. Let’s see how it works….
Brilliant cleaning guru Melissa Maker of the YouTube channel Clean My Space shows us that you don’t have to use a lot of elbow grease to get a clean bathtub; just use the right cleaning fluid!
Before revealing her holy grail method, Melissa first talks about the nasty stuff that is probably stuck to your tub RIGHT NOW! She mentions both hair and soap scum, which she describes as “a slurry of dead skin cells, dirt from your body, oil from your body, oil from your products and all the leftover soap and shampoo.”
Oops! We apologize to anyone who may have taken a bite of food while watching that last part. Not exactly an appetizing read, huh?
This scratchy looking dirt is not only disgusting, it can stain your surfaces PERMANENTLY if left untreated. According to The Maids, this biofilm is called S. marcencens, and it can start growing on the surface of soap scum. And, although our host downplays it in her video, this dirt can make you more susceptible to certain diseases, like urinary tract infections.
Now that you’re convinced and you’re bending over your tub with cleaning gloves in hand, it’s time to get down to business.
Disclaimer: We want to make it clear that this particular tip is only approved for enamel surfaces. As Melissa mentions, there are a variety of different materials used in bathtub manufacturing, such as cast iron and fiberglass, for example, which tend to be more delicate than enamel. Check your bathtub before you start.
To make this cheap and SUPER effective cleaning concoction of your own, first gather together these ingredients:
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
- Essential oil of your choice (we like either lemon or orange for this one!)
All you need to do is combine equal parts baking soda and dish soap (about ¼ cup each) in a mixing bowl. Add about 10 drops of essential oil, then mix it all together. This mixture doesn’t keep very long, so make sure you only make it for what you need.
Now, don’t think you can just apply this product and go about your day. As we mentioned earlier, this solution removes soap scum much faster than most store-bought options
Have you tried making a similar homemade solution before? Know any tricks for getting rid of soap scum? Tell us all about your thoughts and experiences in the comments section
