How To Keep Garden Tub From Getting Dirty So Quickly

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Every once in a while, I come across a tip or trick that sounds so strange or "out there" that I simply have to give it a try! And while many of these tips end up being really useful, they're not all winners.

More than once I have ended up creating more problems than I originally set out to solve. (But at least the fails are usually good for a laugh!) ;-)

But thankfully, the cleaning tip I want to share with you today was not a fail—quite the opposite, in fact! It actually worked so well that it quickly became my go-to method for cleaning my bathtub, I hope it becomes yours too!

My Favorite "Weird-But-It-Works" Bathtub Cleaning Trick

As much as I enjoy taking a warm bath to relax and unwind = after a long day of gardening, I have never particularly enjoyed cleaning my bathtub.

But bathtubs are a magnet for soap scum, mildew, grime, and mineral deposits, so unless I want to take a bath with all of that nastiness, scrubbing the tub occasionally is a necessary evil.

But this bathtub cleaning trick has made what was once one of my least favorite chores so much easier! And all you need is a broom and some dish soap to do it. (Although if your tub is seriously grimy, I'd recommend adding some vinegar to the dish soap to make my two-ingredient tub and shower cleaner!)

But dish soap alone will work just fine for most tubs. I like to use Dawn, because nothing works better at cutting through tough grease and grime in my opinion! (To learn much, much more about cleaning with Dawn, check out my eBook Dazzling Dish Soap in my shop, or get it for free if you're an OGT Plus member!)

Ready to see how this trick works?

The Easiest Way To Clean Your Bathtub

You'll need:

Dish soap
A clean broom*

*Note: If you're going to use this method regularly, I would recommend getting a new broom specifically for this purpose. A dirty broom won't help you get your tub clean, so grab a cheap new one from the dollar store!

Directions:

Step 1 – Soap

Grab a bottle of dish soap and squirt some onto the bottom and sides of your bathtub.

Step 2 – Scrub

Get the broom slightly wet, then use it to scrub the soap around the tub. The scrubbing action of the bristles and the grease-cutting action of the dish soap will break up any soap scum, mildew, and other residues that may have built up in your bathtub.

Step 3 – Rinse

Finally, grab a cup, bucket, or your shower wand (if you have one), and use it to rinse all of the soap and loosened grime down the drain. Then stand back and admire your clean, shiny bathtub!

Why People With Limited Mobility Love This Trick

While this cleaning trick can help anyone get their tub clean in a flash, it can be a real game-changer for those with limited mobility. Using a long-handled broom to scrub your bathtub eliminates the need to bend, stretch, or kneel to get at those hard-to-reach spots, making it a lot less painful!

So if you or a friend or family member has limited mobility (whether due to arthritis, injuries, old age, or other conditions that can restrict mobility), be sure to pass this cleaning trick along! :-)

4 Bonus Bathtub Cleaning Tips

Tip #1 – Clear A Slow Drain

To clear out a slow moving drain, sprinkle 1/4 cup of baking soda into the drain, then pour in 2 cups of vinegar. When the fizzing stops, flush the drain out with boiling water to clear out all the loosened gunk and grime.

Tip #2 – Erase Stubborn Stains

Can't seem to get rid of a particularly stubborn stain? Take a handful of baking soda and add enough water to create a paste, then apply the baking soda paste to the stain.

Let it sit for a few hours to dry, then wipe up the paste and try scrubbing the stain again. You'll be able to erase it much more easily!

Tip #3 – Use A Drain Cover

Keep your bathtub drain from clogging up by using a drain cover like this one. It will collect hair and other bits of debris before they have a chance to get into the drain and contribute to clogging.

Tip #4 – Keep It Dry

After using your bathtub, take a few seconds to wipe it dry with a microfiber cloth. Making this a habit will keep your bathtub much cleaner over time!

What's your best weird-but-it-works cleaning trick?