What’s the right way to clean a fiberglass bathtub? This article will walk you through cleaning your tub while protecting it from scratches.

Fiberglass bathtubs are easy to maintain but, when it comes to cleaning a fiberglass bathtub, you must be careful because the material is quite soft, making these tubs vulnerable to scratches.

When you clean a fiberglass bathtub, take the following tips into consideration.

fiberglass bath tub cleaning
Cleaning a fiberglass bathtubs calls for non-abrasive cleaners to avoid scratches. © Don Vandervort, HomeTips

Depending upon the cleaning needed, try the following cleaning options.

Apply cleaners gently with a non-abrasive applicator such as a sponge, cloth, or brush made of nylon, polyethylene, or polyester. Never use abrasive cleaners of any type on a fiberglass surface. Absolutely avoid abrasive powders and pads.

This video shows a great way to make a “miracle” cleaning solution for bathtubs, tile, and more. The solution is a no-brainer. It’s just equal parts of Dawn® dishwashing soap and distilled white vinegar. You mix together Dawn® and vinegar in a spray bottle. Then you spray the mixture on the surfaces and wipe it off with soft cloth or sponge.

Other cleaning options are:

• Liquid dishwashing soap or liquid laundry detergent.

• All-purpose household cleaners, such as liquid 409 or similar liquid bathroom cleaner

• Mild to moderate alkali solutions such as mixtures of baking soda with warm water, or a diluted TSP (trisodium phosphate) substitute in warm water (make sure it’s fully dissolved so it doesn’t scratch the surface).

For stubborn areas, such as bathtub rings, you can make a paste out of baking soda and vinegar. Wet down the tub’s surface and gently rub the paste onto it with a sponge, soft nylon brush, or cloth.

Always rinse the cleaned surface thoroughly to make sure no cleaning residue remains.

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About Don Vandervort
Don Vandervort has developed his expertise for more than 30 years as a remodeler and builder, Building Editor for Sunset Books, Senior Editor at Home Magazine, author of more than 30 home improvement books, and writer of countless magazine articles. He appeared for 3 seasons on HGTV’s “The Fix,” and served as MSN’s home expert for several years. Don founded HomeTips in 1996. Read more about Don Vandervort