Nothing beats soaking in a warm bath after a long day’s work. It’s the peace and serenity we all crave. It could be a great way to wash out all our fatigue and troubles while hygienically still freshening up. However, this paradise can become a nightmare if you don’t clean and maintain your bathtub. There are a couple of products you can use to clean your bathtub, some of which are somewhat unconventional. For example, have you ever wondered if you can use toilet bowl cleaner in the bathtub?
The simpler answer is yes, you can. But what you should consider is whether it is safe to use it. Read on to find out. Today we will discuss the ins and outs of toilet bowl cleaners in the tub.
You may have noticed that a yellowish layer quickly forms if you don’t regularly clean your bathtub. However, regularly cleaning your bathtub can be quite challenging, especially if you don’t have the right tools, products, and procedures.
Read also Can you leave toilet bowl cleaner overnight?
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Can you use a toilet bowl cleaner in the tub?
Toilet bowl cleaners are chemical products created specifically for cleaning toilet bowls. Due to their chemical makeup, they can be used as cleaning products for other surfaces, i.e., bathtubs, porcelain sinks, floor tiles, and more. Hydrochloric acid is one of the active ingredients in most toilet bowl cleaners, and it’s among the most effective and quickest ingredients to deal with stubborn stains. Hydrochloric acid dissolves mineral buildup and also unclogs pipes or drains.
At one point, homeowners have often considered using toilet bowl cleaners in the tub as an alternative to tub cleaners. Most will testify that toilet bowl cleaners are highly efficient and effective in cleaning debris and stains from the bathtub’s surface. However, regularly using a toilet bowl cleaner weighs a hefty price, so don’t treat it as a one size fits all product.
Even though you can use toilet bowl cleaners to clean your bathtub, it doesn’t mean you should. This product should be considered as a last resort. Constant use of toilet bowl cleaners results in ruined bathtubs.
Let us break it down for you to understand how toilet cleaners affect bathtubs.
Effects of toilet bowl cleaners on bathtubs
Toilet cleaners are produced by mixing toxic ingredients like bleach, Benzenesulfunic acid, hydrochloric acid or sodium Hypo chlorate, and so on. the ingredients above are powerful cleaning agents. Still, they, in turn, ruin your bathtub due to their toxic nature. The toxic chemicals can mess with the tub’s texture and color. Research shows that the harsh acids of toilet bowl cleaners can mess with the smooth finish of your bathtub, leaving it looking stale, rough, and less appealing.
Those effects not only affect the tub itself but can also extend to the user. As you clean your tub and wash out the toilet bowl cleaner, some residual might be left behind. The residual might mix with water from your next bath and come into contact with your skin, and as we all know, nothing good comes out of mixing chemicals with human skin.
Contact with such harsh chemicals can lead to irritation, allergic reactions, and other health concerns. Though toilet bawls cleaners might pose various health and tub risks, they offer some positive effects only if used appropriately.
Advantages of using toilet bowl cleaners on bathtubs
- Powerful: toilet bowl cleaners are made from chemical ingredients. These ingredients allow them to break down and quickly dissolve mineral deposits that might be left behind after a bath. This feature allows it to clean even the toughest stains leaving your tub sparkling clean.
- Disinfectant: the product contains antimicrobial agents that disinfect surfaces, leaving a fresh odor ( depending on flavor) after use.
- It’s designed to have a lesser corrosion rate to reduce damage on metal surfaces like tabs, drainage pipes, etc.
- Breaks down mineral deposits which can clog drains and pipes
- Some toilet bowl cleaners are multipurpose, meaning they can be used on several surfaces, making them quite economical as they serve several purposes, including sinks, porcelain products, tiles, glass doors, and more.
How to properly use toilet bowl cleaners on bathtubs
Now that you understand this cleaner’s negative and positive impacts, you can decide whether or not you want to use it. If you decide to use a toilet bowl cleaner for your bathtub, then it’s best to do it correctly. Below is a step-by-step guide on cleaning using this type of cleaner.
Step 1
Select your chosen brand of toilet cleaner and read the ingredients to see if anything poses a health hazard to you or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. Once satisfied, put on a pair of washing gloves and evenly apply enough toilet bowl cleaner around the tub’s inner surface. With the gloves on, use your hands to evenly spread the product, ensuring you cover the whole bathtub.
Step 2
Allow the solution to rest for a few minutes to react with the dirt and stains on the tub’s surface. After the time is up, pour some water to create a lather, then take a cleaning brush and scrub to remove stains. Scrub until satisfied, and once done, rinse using clean water. Rinse until you feel all residual cleaner is washed out; however, you might not get it all out with one rinse, so you might need to rinse the tab a few more times before use.
Step 3
Proper etiquette dictates that you return things where they belong after use. Therefore once you are done washing your tub, you need to rinse the cleaning brush and gloves and store them properly. Carefully and tightly close the cap and store it in a cool, dry place. Keep the bottle or package upright, tightly capped far from the reach of children.
Precautions to take while handling a toilet bowl cleaner
If possible, wear a mask while using the product to avoid inhaling any mist or vapor from the cleaner. Avoid contact with body openings like the nose, eyes, mouth, and ears. If the product touches your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water and seek medical attention if ingested.
As much as toilet bowl cleaners can work for bathtubs, they present undeniable risks. For those who think the risk outweighs the benefits, you are in luck since there are other alternatives to consider.
Alternatives to toilet bowl cleaners
If not properly maintained and cleaned, bathtubs can be a breeding ground for many grime germs and bacteria. Hopefully, we don’t have to rely on only toilet bowl cleaners to keep our tubs spic and span. The market provides various chemical solutions, but today we will also provide you with some natural solutions for tub cleaners.
Bathtub cleaners
The best solution is to buy bathtub cleaners designed specifically for this purpose. The market presents a variety of brands to choose from that will clean and disinfect your tub. The major benefit that bathtub cleaners present is assured hygiene without all the disadvantages and risks that toilet bowl cleaners present. Bathtub cleaners are designed to effectively wash your tab leaving it clean and smelling fresh depending on the scent or flavor you choose.
If you do not wish to seek chemically formulated cleaners, below are recipes to create your natural tub cleaners in the comfort of your home with locally sourced ingredients. Homeowners can create DIY tub cleaners with little effort and the right ingredients.
Cleaning a bathtub using baking soda
This might not be the quickest or most effective procedure, but it gets the job done.
Ingredients:
- Baking soda
- Water
Start by rinsing your bathtub’s inner surface with water until it’s wet enough. Apply or sprinkle baking soda until it sticks to the entire surface, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a brush. Baking soda and water are good for cleaning stuck gunk in tubs. This natural remedy removes all the hazardous risks of using chemical cleaners, making it a great alternative for bathtub cleaners. It’s also multipurpose since it can clean various surfaces, including toilet bowls, sinks, floor surfaces, and more.
Using baking soda paste
The vertical surfaces of a tub are harder to clean and require more oomph. Instead of sprinkling baking soda, create a paste of water and baking soda. The paste is more active on tougher stains and doesn’t wear down your tub but leaves it clean and fresh after washing.
Creating a DIY Bathtub spray cleaner
Try this spray recipe to prevent mold and bacteria growth in your bathtub.
Ingredients:
- One empty spray bottle
- 1 1/2 cups of warm water
- 1/2cup of liquid soap
- 1 cup of baking soda
- Two tablespoons of apple or white vinegar
- Brush
Pour the white vinegar, warm water, liquid soap, and baking soda into a spray bottle. Mix the contents in the spray bottle well until it’s even. Once the spray is ready, spray a generous portion into your bathtub and let it sit for a short time. Scrub using a brush to wash away stains; in case of tough stains, use some spray on the spot with a little more elbow grease.
Conclusion
Your bathroom is responsible for your hygiene; therefore, maintaining its hygiene in a way is maintaining yours. Taking good care of your bathtub means regularly cleaning it and avoiding using products that might harm the tub or you. The method you choose will determine the effectiveness of the process. This article has answered if you can use toilet bowl cleaners in your tub, and the answer is not unless you must.