The Best Way to Clean Your Bathtub.
Period.
Before I begin this story, let me show you the bottom of my shower. Don't look if you're squeamish. . . . I know, right? Nasty.
It's been like that since I moved into this apartment and nothing has been able to help it (don't even ask about the carpet.) I've tried a ton of different cleaners on that tub and even let it soak in straight bleach for a few hours: the results were patchy at best.
It's been like that since I moved into this apartment and nothing has been able to help it (don't even ask about the carpet.) I've tried a ton of different cleaners on that tub and even let it soak in straight bleach for a few hours: the results were patchy at best.
So I figured if I found a frugal and/or natural cleaner that actually worked on this kind of grime, it would be a great contribution to world cleanliness.
Tonight, I staged a science experiment. Here's what I used to try to clean my shower:
- Half a grapefruit and some kosher salt. Completely ineffective. But it smelled nice.
- Dishsoap. Nada.
- Baking Soda. It seemed to work a little, mainly by abrasion.
- Baking Soda and Vinegar. Adds drama to your cleaning routine, but not terribly effective.
- 20 Mule Team Borax
. Dude. This is the stuff.
That stubborn dirt and grime, impervious to bleach and every mainstream cleaner I tried, just melted away when faced with borax and a stiff-bristled scrub brush.
And you can't get much cheaper, either!
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What are your favorite frugal cleaning tips?
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Comments
Hope that helps, and thanks for reading! :)
You might want to try spraying a mixture of 1/4 white vinegar and 3/4 water over the stain in question. Next place a clean, terry towel over the top and with a hot iron set to the highest level of steam, iron the stain right out. That's all there is to it!
I did have a young friend over on Sunday, though, who spilled some of his spaghetti sauce on the carpet, though, so your comment is extremely timely! :)
Cute blog! I love the images in your header.
I think I might do a follow-up post to feature a couple of the caveats and ideas other commenters have left here, and I'll be sure to include yours!
I would be a little cautious sprinkling it for ants, though, if it's in a place where a breeze or draft might send dust up into the air.
Thanks for reading!
So, although a huge project, I think I will try the Borax. I'll go square-by-square and if it takes me a month, so be it!
Thanks for the tips. Great blog... Found you through TN Mornings. :)
Here's a tip that will speed up your time cleaning your tub with Borax. Instead of bending over with a sponge or brush, use a broom to scrub your tub and shower. It will save time and your back!
Stacey
Its not as powerful as borax but i wipe down several times in a week and it stays clean. laura
On their morning show, Kelly has a segment called "Kelly's Surf" where she showcases a super cool site (like yours) for viewers to see and know about. Yours was one of them one day last week... That's how I know about you. She was especially excited about your Spring Cleaning blog!
http://www.fox17.com/newsroom/morning/videos/vid_37.shtml
CONGRATS!!
A few people came over here mentioning Tennessee Mornings, and at first I thought it must be some blog somewhere. But then I googled it and was like, "Holy Moly!" I hunted around their site but couldn't find any information. Thanks for helping me out!! :)
Will this take water spots & mineral deposits off of clear glass shower doors? And is it safe for natural stone shower walls & floors?
Thanks!
For scum on shower doors, I recommend cooking spray. Spray it on, let it soak in, wipe it off, and buff it with a dry rag and it will not only be clean, but have a non-stick surface for awhile that slows future build-up. Not sure if it does the trick for mineral deposits or not, as I haven't any to test it on. :)
Thanks for reading!:)
Good luck and let us know the results! :)
"you have to use a cleaning product with a low ph"
You do realise anything with a low pH is an acid.
And about that tv show... "Death Valley Days, a radio and television anthology dramatizing true stories of the old American West, particularly the Death Valley area. The program was created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman and broadcast on radio until 1945.
From 1952 to 1975, Death Valley Days was produced as a syndicated television series. The product is named after the 20-mule teams that were used by William Tell Coleman's company to move borax out of Death Valley, California, to the nearest rail spur between 1883 and 1889."
The "works" is Great for cleaning glass-well everything- but if it dries on chrome it destroys it- and if you accidentally mix with windex it gives off toxic fumes... Believe it or not- if you have access to walnut leaves/branches..maybe even hulls..spread them around room- fleas leave! Grew up with a cat that slept with me- brown carpet- once a month or so break off small stems of walnut tree and put under bed..it was miraculous..and "green"... will try borax..my brother uses it...as it is healthier than other chemicals...
We have well water that is pretty hard and I'm guessing that's what causes the issues.
After looking online for answers, I finally found something i hoped would work! I microwaved white vinegar until it was hot but not boiling, and put it in a spray bottle. Then I mixed in Dawn liquid detergent and shook it up ... then, I sprayed it all over the bathtub then let it set there for about 20 minutes. I used a magic eraser (Oh I don't know what I did before those ... they are amazing) and I barely had to scrub. The disgust just came up so easily. His bathtub looked brand new. He was shocked because he thought it was hopeless. The only problem is, now he thinks there isn't anything I can't clean. Sigh!
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