How to Clean Your Walk-in Tub

May 11, 2023

When you invest in a walk-in tub, you invest in your health and safety and your home. In many areas, a walk-in tub can also help a home’s value, especially if the target audience of homebuyers is older people.

To maintain your walk-in tub’s value and keep it functioning well, it’s important to know how to clean a walk-in tub.

General Walk-In Tub Cleaning

Walk-in tub cleaning is the best way to keep your tub in great shape and to make it last longer. When you take a bath, the oils and dirt from your body go into the tub. Knowing how to clean your tub after each use, weekly and monthly, will ensure your tub lasts for a long time.

Cleaning a Walk-In Tub Daily

If you use the tub, you should clean it. This doesn’t take hours or even require special materials. Instead, after you shower, rinse the tub with warm water, including the faucet and fixtures. This removes any body oil and dirt that accumulated while you bathed.

It helps if you have a shower wand on the faucet because you can reach all areas of the tub without risking your safety. If not, use a sponge and bucket of warm water to rinse the tub out and preserve its condition.

Cleaning a Walk-In Tub Weekly

If you use your walk-in tub a couple of times a week, it’s important to know how to deep clean a walk-in tub weekly.

There are two ways to do a weekly clean.

Using Dishwasher Granules

If you have dishwasher granules or low foaming soap, fill the tub with warm (not cold) water to the seat level and place 2 – 3 tablespoons of dishwasher detergent or soap in it. If your tub has jets, turn them on and let them move the detergent around, scrubbing the tub and letting them run for 15 minutes.

If there aren’t any jets, use a sponge and scrub the tub to loosen any dirt or oils.

After cleaning the tub, drain it and run a new tub of warm water to rinse it. Again, if the tub has jets, let them run. If not, swish the water around to remove the dirt and grime.

Finally, drain the tub and wipe it with a clean cloth to make it shine.

Using a Non-Abrasive Cleaner

You can also clean a walk-in tub with a non-abrasive cleaner, such as a multi-purpose cleaner or disinfecting wipes.

With this method, you’ll need a soft sponge and a clean cloth to scrub the tub clean. Spray the cleaner and gently scrub the tub to remove dirt or grime. You can run the water to remove anything you shook up and finish by drying the tub with a clean cloth.

Cleaning a Walk-In Tub Monthly

Weekly cleaning is a great way to keep your walk-in tub in great condition, but a deep clean once a month will help even more.

You’ll use the same technique as your weekly cleaning routine, but this time add bleach. It’s important to note, however, that you shouldn’t do this more than once a month.

When you clean a walk-in tub monthly, fill the tub with warm water, but this time add two tablespoons of dishwasher detergent granules and ½ cup of bleach.

This time, however, you’ll also add more water after adding the soap and bleach, just don’t go above the maximum fill line.

Run the jets for 10 – 15 minutes, then let the water sit for five minutes. Then, run the jets for 10 – 15 minutes and drain the water. Next, refill the tub to seat height with warm water and run the jets for 10 – 15 minutes to completely rinse the tub.

Empty the tub after 15 minutes and wipe it down with a clean cloth.

Best Cleaning Products to Use in a Walk-In Tub

When you have a walk-in tub, it’s important to know which cleaning products are best to maintain their integrity and avoid ruining them.

It’s important not to use harsh or abrasive chemicals on the tub. The best cleaner to use is dishwasher granules. They do the job of getting up the dirt and grime without the risk of too much foam.

If you don’t have dishwasher granules or want something you can scrub the tub with, if you don’t have jets, use a mild household detergent that doesn’t foam excessively.

You’ll also need a soft sponge, clean rag, and glass cleaner to shine the faucet and drains. If you find a lot of dirt and grime around the jets or the drain, you may also want a toothbrush dedicated to cleaning your walk-in tub.

How Not to Clean a Walk-In Tub

Just as it’s important to know what to use to clean a walk-in tub, it’s important to know what not to use too.

Walk-in tubs are susceptible to scratches, so you must not use anything harsh like wire brushes or tough sponges. Instead, choose soft sponges and rags, such as microfiber clothes.

As far as cleaning products, avoid any products that might leave a sticky residue or make the tub slippery. This includes any abrasive cleaning products or aerosol products.

What if you Scratch your Walk-In Tub?

If you accidentally use a product that scratches the tub’s surface, you can easily repair the scratches with an automotive cleaning compound and toothpaste. Here’s how.

  • Rinse the area with warm water thoroughly
  • Wash the area with mild detergent and a soft cloth
  • Rub a squirt of toothpaste over the scratch, and wipe and rinse it clean
  • Rub car cleaning compound over the scratch and buff out the scratch

How to Keep your Walk-In Tub in Great Condition

To keep your walk-in tub in great condition, try these steps.

  • Only run the jets when the water level is just above the jets. Running them without adequate water can burn the jets out.
  • Avoid the use of abrasive cleaners or tools. Instead, stick with mild or all-purpose cleaners to avoid scratching the tub.
  • Do not use essential oils directly in the tub’s water. If your tub has a compartment for essential oils, use that, or avoid using them in your tub.
  • Wipe the walk-in tub’s door hinges with rubbing alcohol once a week to avoid mold or mildew buildup.
  • Wipe the faucets down with glass cleaner weekly.
  • Wipe the tub completely dry after each use to avoid mold or mildew growth.

Why It’s Important to Clean a Walk-In Tub Regularly

Cleaning your walk-in tub regularly is important to avoid excessive buildup of body oils, dirt, debris, mold, and mildew.

This is especially important if you have a jetted tub. If you don’t clean a walk-in tub regularly and run the jets after letting it sit for too long, you’ll see black flakes in the tub when you run a clean bath.

This is the accumulation of the dirt, debris, and oils that were allowed to sit rather than get cleaned after each use and weekly.

If you don’t clean the tub regularly, it will become a hazard, plus the tub won’t last as long. It may require more extensive repairs or stop working altogether.

FAQ

What type of soap can you use on a walk-in tub?

It’s important to only use mild detergents on a walk-in tub. Ideally, you should use dishwasher granules. However, if you don’t have them, you can use a mild all-purpose cleaner or detergent. Just avoid the use of any cleaners that will foam excessively, or you’ll have a mess on your hands.

Can you run vinegar through a jetted tub?

Yes, if you don’t like the smell of bleach, you can use vinegar in place of it to thoroughly clean the jets. To use vinegar, fill the tub with warm water, two tablespoons of dishwasher detergent, and ½ cup of vinegar.

Run the jets with the mixture in the tub for 10 – 15 minutes. Then, let the water sit for a few minutes and do it again. Next, drain the water and fill it up with clean water, running the jets for another 10 – 15 minutes. Finally, drain the water and wipe the tub clean.

Can you use Epsom salt in a walk-in tub?

Epsom salts are safe to use in a walk-in tub in moderation. However, don’t use them excessively, and clean the tub immediately after using them.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to clean a walk-in tub is important to protect its integrity and function. Taking the time to clean your tub after each use, weekly, and giving it a deep clean monthly will make your tub last longer, saving you money and preserving your safety when bathing.

Additional Walk-In Tub Resources