How To Clean Fiberglass Tub With Textured Bottom: DIY Tips

Fiberglass tubs are durable and look great but they need regular cleaning. The textured flooring makes baths and showers safer but they can trap soap scum and become discoloured surprisingly quickly. Staining is common in fiberglass tubs and getting it clean takes more than a rinse with water. 

A few standard household products and some elbow grease are all that’s needed to clean a fiberglass tub with a textured bottom. Baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap are all fantastic for cleaning fiberglass. You can also use an electric scrubber for tackling stains. Above all, avoid harsh chemicals.

5 Best Ways To Clean A Fiberglass Tub With Textured Bottom 

Regular cleaning is essential for fiberglass tubs. The materials may be durable and hard wearing but color fading and staining are common problems. You need to choose the cleaning solutions you use carefully as something too strong or too abrasive is going to damage the tub.

Use Electric Scrubber 

Scrubbing a surface is a simple way to remove dirt but it can be difficult to effectively scrub textured tubs. Using an electric scrubber makes it quicker and easier to get surfaces clean. This helpful tool makes all the difference as it allows you to give the tub a deep clean without spending hours bending down. However, it’s important to ensure the scrubber isn’t harsh as this can damage the tub. 

Step 1. Rinse the bath with hot water 

Firstly, get the bottom of the tub wet with hot water. This is going to help make the dirt and stains easier to remove. Once you’ve rinsed the tub, it’s ready for cleaning. 

Step 2. Apply a small amount of the preferred cleaning solution 

Secondly, apply your preferred cleaning solution. Don’t worry if you don’t have a specific bathtub cleaner to hand, a standard dish soap will do the job just as well.

Step 3. Attach a Soft Brush Or Sponge to the Scrubber 

While you give the cleaning solution a couple of minutes to work on the stains, get the scrubber ready. It’s important not to use a stiff brush when cleaning a fiberglass tub as this can damage the top surface of the fiberglass. Once you secure a soft brush or sponge to the scrubber, you can begin cleaning the bottom of the tub. 

Step 4. Scrub

The electric scrubber is going to be doing most of the work here so just guide it around the tub making sure you don’t miss any spots.

Step 5. Rinse with hot water 

Once the bottom of the tub has been scrubbed, give the bath another rinse with hot water. All of the grime and stains should now be gone and your tub should be as good as new. If there are areas of stubborn stains, you can go over these parts again. Once rinsed, dry the tub with a clean towel. 

Use Liquid Tub Cleanser to Remove Stains From Fibreglass Tub 

A liquid tub cleanser will remove dirt and give a new shine to your tub. Pick a cleanser that is gentle and non-abrasive. The last thing you want to do is damage the tub as this is going to lead to further problems. 

Step 1. Rinse the Tub 

Firstly, give the tub a rinse. Use hot water as this will help to loosen the grime ready for cleaning.

Step 2. Prepare the Cleanser

Take a look at the instructions on the cleanser you will be using. Dilute it if necessary making sure you follow the recommended water-to-cleaner ratio. 

Step 3. Apply the Cleanser

With the solution now ready, apply it to the tub using a soft sponge. As you apply the solution, scrub the areas where there are stains or mineral build ups. Make sure you cover the area with the cleaning solution.

Step 4. Give It Time to Work

You can now leave the solution for 1-2 hours. Check the cleanser’s instructions to ensure you do not leave it for longer than recommended. 

Step 5. Rinse

Wash the solution with warm water. Make sure you rinse the tub thoroughly and then dry it with a clean towel. 

Use Baking Soda Mixture 

Baking soda has long been hailed as a go-to cleaning product for most home cleaning tasks. It’s something that everyone has in their cupboard and it is effective against odours and scum. A simple mix of baking soda and water can work wonders on stubborn stains. 

Step 1. Make a Paste 

Firstly, you need to add a small amount of water to the baking soda to make a paste. This paste needs to be thick enough to apply to your tub. 

Step 2. Apply the Paste

Secondly, apply the paste to the tub liberally. Make sure you cover all areas of the tub. Pay particular attention to the textured areas where it is easy for soap scum and minerals to build up. 

Step 3. Wait 

With the paste applied, leave it to work for 1 to 2 hours. This gives the baking soda time to break down the scum. 

Step 4. Rinse

After a couple of hours, rinse the paste away with hot water. Because of the way the baking soda works there is no need to scrub. Finally, dry the tub with a clean towel. 

Use Vinegar And Dish Soap For Cleaning Textured Bathtub

A combination of vinegar and dish soap helps to cut through grime and remove stubborn stains in the bath. There’s no need for harsh chemicals or bleach, this is a homemade cleaning solution that can tackle bathroom cleaning with ease.

Step 1. Mix the Solution 

Firstly, combine the vinegar and dish soap. A good go-to solution is 2 tbsp vinegar combined with 1⁄2 cup of dish soap and ½ cup of water. For stronger stains, you can simply combine equal parts vinegar and dish soap. Although vinegar has a strong smell it actually works to get rid of odors so don’t worry, your tub won’t be smelling of vinegar after using this. 

Step 2. Close the Drain

Before applying the solution to the bath, close the drain. This is going to prevent the cleaning solution disappearing into the pipes before it has had a chance to work. 

Step 3. Apply the Solution 

You can either spray the solution onto the bath or you can apply it using a sponge. Apply the solution liberally making sure no areas are missed. 

Step 4. Leave for 10 minutes 

Once you have put the vinegar and dish soap solution onto the bottom of the tub, leave it to work. Give the mixture around 10 minutes to cut through stains. 

Step 5. Rinse Using a Sponge

Open the drain and rinse the solution away with warm water and a sponge. Use the sponge to clean the textured floor before rinsing again. When finished, dry the tub using a clean towel. 

Use A Homemade Solution 

Homemade solutions can be just as effective as readymade cleansers. Most importantly, they don’t require any harsh chemicals. Readymade sprays tend to contain high amounts of alcohol and may contain bleach, both of which can damage fiberglass bathtubs. In contrast, a simple blend of baking soda and dish soap will clean your tub gently for a fraction of the price. 

Step 1. Mix the Solution 

Firstly, you need to mix the cleaning solution together. A good all-around fiberglass tub cleaner is 2 tbsp vinegar, ½ cup dish soap, 1 cup of baking soda and ½ cup of warm water. There are many variations of this so you can create a homemade solution that works for you based on the items you have available. 

Step 2. Close the Drain

Before you apply the solution, close the drain so the products have a chance to work their magic. 

Step 3. Apply the Cleaner

With the homemade cleaner now ready, you can apply it to the tub.

Step 4. Wait for 1 Hour

We like to give the solution time to work before washing it away. A bit of extra time can make all the difference when you are tackling stubborn stains. 

Step 5. Rinse 

Open the drain and use a soft sponge or washcloth to scrub the tub. Once you have thoroughly scrubbed (you can use an electric scrubber to save time) rinse the tub with warm water. 

Step 6. Dry the Tub

Finally, you can dry the tub with a towel. 

4 Useful Fiberglass Tub Cleaning Tips

1. Make sure there’s no soap left at the bottom of the bath after use

Take an extra 30 seconds to ensure there is no soap or bubbles left at the bottom of the bath. If there is, a quick rinse with clean water is all that is needed. This stops soap scum from forming and helps keep the bath cleaner for longer. 

2. Avoid harsh brushes and chemicals

While harsh brushes and chemicals make a tub look clean quickly they actually cause more harm than good. Avoid them to keep your tub in good condition. 

3. Keep the tub dry in between uses 

In addition to regularly cleaning the tub, a quick wipe down with a towel or cloth will help stop water and soap from sitting on the textured flooring. 

4. Fix any leaks immediately 

A small leak from the tap may not seem like a big deal but it is a waste of water and it is going to encourage stains. 

FAQs

Does a strong cleaner harm fiberglass?

Yes, harsh chemicals and abrasives will scratch and damage the protective layer on fiberglass. Use mild cleaners instead and avoid products containing bleach. 

Can I use magic eraser on fiberglass tub? 

Yes, just make sure not to scrub too hard as this can damage the fiberglass. 

Can I use a hard brush to clean fiberglass tub with textured bottom? 

No, use a soft brush instead. A hard brush will damage the fiberglass. 

What should you not use on fiberglass?

Don’t use bleach, harsh chemicals or strong abrasives on fiberglass. 

What is the best cleaner for fiberglass bathtubs? 

The best cleaner is a mild bath cleaner or a homemade solution made from dish soap, vinegar and baking soda. 

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, fiberglass tubs need to be cleaned regularly to prevent staining. A gentle cleaner made with baking soda, dish soap and vinegar is enough to remove stains while protecting the tub from damage. These tubs are durable and will last a lot longer with a bit of care and maintenance.