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
I used each in a different area of my badly stained textured shower floor. I applied each, scrubbing the Borax a little to cover the area thoroughly. I waited for 2 hours and rinsed them all away. The only clean area was the place where I used the Borax. But since I had scrubbed that Borax area I thought it was an unfair comparison. So I applied the other two cleansers again to the original spots and scrubbed them. Then I let them set for an hour. I scrubbed each area again before I rinsed them off. There was no significant difference in the Oven Cleaner and The Works areas. So I went back and cleaned the whole thing again with Borax and I want to jump for joy!! You can bet that this little jewel has earned a treasured spot in my utility closet!! Anybody need a can of Oven Cleaner or a bottle of The Works??
For windows, the best tip I was every given was to use two microfiber cloths. You dip one into warm water with a little soap, then wring it out as much as you can, so it's just damp. Wipe down your window or mirror, or even metal surfaces, then buff with the other, dry cloth. It leaves your windows amazingly shiny and streak free, much better than any winded or other window product I have ever used!
I use borax in my pool to keep the ph correct. It works great and it's a mineral.
I have used it for years, I found that it is very concentrated and will make a lot of product so read the instructions for the ratio of water etc. I also found since it's so thick, you have to melt down a goop of it and add your water (so little wastage!) and it also works on mechanics grease covered hands. Great for laundry etc.
First of all it will get red clay out of white baseball pants! It's a whitener and disenfectant for laundry. I always add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup to every load no matter what I am washing.
I sprinkle it on carpet and rugs to rid of bugs and odors.
I sprinkle it outside around windows and sliding doors to keep ants from coming in the house. Cheap ground black pepper works as well.
I also spray hydrogen peroxide on carpets and rugs to get rid of pet "output" odors and clean up stains. It's never taken the color out of my real "oriental" rugs.
The cheapest way to keep all drains running clear is to buy the least expensive bleach you can find (which usually works better than Clorox anyway) and pour about 1/4 jug in each drain once a month. TADA! It eats hair, soap scum, etc.
Walmart sells Borax for about $1.50 less than Kroger! It's always found near the clothes detergents or with the powdered "liquid bleach alternatives."
Another great product is "Awesome" which I buy at either Family Dollar or General Dollar. In my old age I've come to realize that just because it's expensive or costs more doesn't make it a better product.
And Magic Erasers? The generic ones work, too. Those things are da bomb! I swear it took dried up red nail polish off a painted wall! My son uses them to keep his tennis shoes white. I use them to clean the straps on my Birkies.
To clean jewelry mix hot water, Dawn and a little ammonia. Shake well and use an old toothbrush. Then rinse. Sparkling clean!!
I could go on and on but I have work to do as that is what I get to do! lol
Thanks for the great tips from so many of you.
http://mbella77.blogspot.com/2013/01/melamine-sponge.html
She explained the invented of the safeguard makes a very special cleaner for this problem. So she said call his 800 # and I did , reached the owner of the company and ordered the product. Got it a week later and OMG could not believe after so many years of useing many cleaners I finally found a cleaner that noy only cleaned the entire tub but it brought back the shine on my porcelain tub. Call him your self, hrs really a nice person concerned about your problem His number is. 800585 – 2325
If you can't get on your hands and knees, then sit on an upended bucket or stool in the tub.
great laundry soap is
1 bar fells naptha grated
1 bar castile soap grated
2 cups washing soda
2 cups borax
need 1 tablespoon per load and can be used in the barrel of a HE machine. Add 1 cup vinegar in your rinse cycle instead of fabric softener; it rinses out soap better and naturally softens cloths. Fabric softener will attract stains and make them harder to get out.
I'm going to try this as soon as possible.
Thank you for your post.
WHERE CAN I FIND IT?
Thank you for such a wonderful Blog that has so much info packed in it.
Know that it and all the contributors are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Just wanted to say thanks - I've been doing my best to be far more frugal recently. The birth of my 2nd wasn't half as scary as the first... I feel like I can be a good housewife as well as mamma - fingers crossed! One of the things I used to do was use professional oven cleaners. I can't say a bad word about them to be honest, at my various houses over the years I've had them in every few months. I'd been using oven cleaning sutton coldfield and oven cleaning solihull and I'm not ashamed to recommend them, however I am ashamed to say that it's only been recently that I even knew what the word frugal meant! So thanks again for posts like this to help me on my way to being a better stay at home mamma :) x
best bathroom ideas online by prodigg
.I literally tried everything nothing worked.we we're just about to buy a new tub kit.
My friend told me she had been this desperate too on her tub she first cleaned out majority of grime with soft scuba and magic eraser clean it all completely out. Waited a day rinsed again and used the works for toilets.just on the mineral stains leave 20 minutes or so and pumus just the stains no other area as it may scratch. little by little it will come out. Use glove mask and open windows when you do this so you can breathe.
Want you to know tub worse than this one came sparkling clean in that nasty apartment.
http://greencleaning.about.com/od/GreenCleaningResources/a/Is-Borax-A-Good-Green-Cleaning-Ingredient.htm
I have about scrubbed my arms off.
I can't wait to try it my tub.
Thanx for the tip !!!
A friend once had, due to slob neighbors, a cockroach infestation. Poured a thin line of borax all around the apartment border and no more problem.
Don't think it would be especially safe for pets but it's a damn sight safer than Raid, etc. To keep cats, etc. from licking it, use sugar instead of honey on cotton balls.
Yes, it is VERY effective cleaning textured tub floors. Dampen tub floor, sprinkle Borax liberally. Wait patiently. Scrub the hell out of it. Might have to repeat for REALLY bad scum stains. Maybe an overnight treatment.
Cheap, safe, effective, what more can one ask for?
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