Toilet Bowl Cleaner Ruined Bathtub: What To Do

It’s time for your weekly bathtub clean, so you grab a cleaning agent in your bathroom cabinet. It happens to be a toilet bowl cleaner, but you don’t pay much mind to it. They’re all cleaning solutions anyway.

Regrettably, you may have found out too late that using a toilet cleaner on your bathtub wasn’t the wisest decision. It left your once shiny bathtub, a stained mess.

Luckily, there are a few methods to remove those stubborn stains. Stick around to learn more about what to do if your toilet bowl cleaner ruined the bathtub.

Why You Can’t Use Toilet Bowl Cleaner on the Bathtub

Using a toilet bowl cleaner may sound like a great idea to remove those tough yellow stains riddling your bathtub. Nonetheless, you’ll want to think again before reaching for that cleaning agent. Here’s why.

Stained cleaner on the toilet bowel in the bathroom

Toxicity

Most commercial toilet bowl cleaners are made from harsh chemicals, including sodium hypochlorite, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide. These active ingredients are manufactured to break down mineral deposits in your toilet bowl.

After cleaning the tub with the hazardous solution, toxic fumes can engulf your bathroom. When breathed, your lungs will become irritated, especially if you already have allergies or asthma. If you expose toilet bowl cleaner to your skin, it can result in chemical burns as well.

Aside from that, not all toilet cleaners contain the same chemical components. In turn, we highly suggest checking the product label for further warnings and instructions.

Staining

Not only do toilet bowl cleaners cause toxic damage, but they can also eat away at your ceramic tub surface. The cleaning agent is designed for heavy-duty use since it contains corrosive components like hydrochloric acid.

When exposed to your bathtub, it can ruin the porcelain and tile surface. It’ll stain and discolor, particularly when used regularly.

Methods to Remove Toilet Bowl Cleaner Stain From Bathtub

Fortunately, you can remove these tough stains caused by your toilet bowl cleaner using a few methods below.

Method #1: Baking Soda and Lemon Juice

Start by rinsing the toilet bowl cleaner from your bathtub to get rid of any remaining traces. Next, dust the bathtub, focusing on stained areas, with baking soda.

The component holds mild abrasive properties that’ll support your stain-scrubbing efforts. Then, pour a generous amount of lemon juice over the baking soda.

The citric solution can prove effective at breaking down the harsh stains caused by the corroding hydrochloric acid. When added to baking soda, it creates an acid-base reaction, ideal for removing stubborn stains.

That said, allow the bubbly reaction to sit in your bathtub for about 10 to 15 minutes. Afterward, grab a sponge or brush to scrub the solution off. Rinse the residue and wipe the tub dry.

Method #2: Baking Soda and White Vinegar

Baking soda and white vinegar are a classic multi-purpose cleaning solution. Unlike the previous method, you’ll be creating the solution first.

Begin by mixing equal parts white vinegar and baking soda. You should then have a pasty component that won’t be too abrasive on your delicate bathtub tiles. Apply it onto the affected stained regions and scrub it in.

Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse it with warm water. Lastly, dry the tub with a soft cloth.

Using baking soda Sodium bicarbonate and white vinegar for cleaning

Method #3: Oxygen Bleach

Unlike chlorine, its oxygen counterpart acts as a more gentle alternative that isn’t too stripping. To use, mix it with water, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In most cases, the ratio is one gallon of warm water to one spoon of powder.

After mixing the solution, apply it to the stained areas and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse it afterward and repeat if necessary.

Now, before implementing this method, we suggest testing it on a small stained area in your bathtub. It’ll help you gauge any unwanted reaction, especially if your bathtub is made of marble or limestone. 

Method #4: Baking Soda and Dish Soap

Using a liquid dishwashing soap and baking soda is a suitable solution to clear off stains on bathtubs. It’s highly gentle, and you can save any excess for other surfaces.

This method involves mixing a few squirts of mild dish soap with baking soda until you form a paste-like thickness.

Apply the mixture to the bathtub surface and let it sit for about five minutes before using a brush or sponge to scrub. Then, rinse it off and repeat if the stains remain persistent.

Method #5: Hydrogen Peroxide

When using hydrogen peroxide, be cautious so that it doesn’t come into contact with your skin or eyes. Grab a paper towel and pour the chemical on it. Then, blot the stains and leave it for five to ten minutes.

Afterward, use a sponge or soft-bristled brush to scrub the substance on the bathtub. One of the advantages of using hydrogen peroxide is that it also removes the lingering toilet bowl cleaner odor.

That said, once the tub is clean, thoroughly rinse the cleaning agent. Fortunately, the solution isn’t strong enough to ruin your bathtub, unlike toilet cleaners. That said, you’ll still want to remain cautious while using hydrogen peroxide due to its color-bleaching properties.

Method #6: Seek a Professional

Professional plumber fixing and unclogging drain of toilet bowl in bathroom

In some cases, your bathtub might require professional help, especially if it’s made of fiberglass or a cast-iron material. They’ll likely assess the damage of the toilet cleaner and use specialized bathtub cleaners.

Alternatively, you can visit a department store and find a reglazing kit for your fiberglass or cast-iron bathtub.

Besides that, we highly recommend seeking professional help if the stain remains persistent. You can also ask for help if your bathtub might be sensitive to DIY methods that use baking soda and vinegar.

Key Takeaways

Using a toilet bowl cleaner will damage your bathtub. Harsh cleaning agents like it strips off the outer ceramic layer, leaving yellowish stains in your once pristine white bathtub.

The good news is that you can employ multiple methods to get rid of the stains. In most methods, you’ll need baking soda, which is probably already tucked in a cabinet somewhere. As for the liquid-based ingredient, you can use lemon juice, dish soap, or white vinegar.

If baking soda isn’t working, you can switch to big guns like oxygen bleach or hydrogen peroxide. If the stains are still persevering against these methods, you can seek professional help.

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