Domakihub How to Clean a Bathtub and Keep It Gleaming
A practical, room-by-room routine that works for homes, rentals, and hotel suites alike.
Reviewed by Domakihub cleaning pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
A bathtub that looks spotless is one of the first things guests notice in a holiday rental or hotel room — and one of the first things owners overlook in a busy season. The video above walks through the full process visually; the steps below give you a clear, repeatable routine you can hand to a cleaner or follow yourself. Whether you are dealing with Greek limestone water scale, mildew from coastal humidity, or simple soap-scum buildup, the same five-step approach gets the job done without damaging the surface.
Why Bathtub Cleaning Deserves Its Own Routine
Most people wipe down the basin and call it done, but tubs collect a combination of body oils, shampoo residue, mineral deposits from hard water, and — in humid Greek bathrooms — mildew that forms in grout and around the drain. Each of these requires a slightly different treatment, which is why a single spray-and-wipe approach rarely leaves the tub looking truly clean.
Establishing a dedicated routine — even a short one done every one to two weeks — prevents buildup from becoming a scrubbing marathon. For holiday rentals with back-to-back turnovers, a fast reset clean between guests plus a deeper monthly clean is the most efficient model.
Know Your Tub Material Before You Start
Acrylic and fiberglass tubs (the most common in modern Greek apartments and villas) scratch easily, so abrasive powders and steel-wool pads are off limits. Enamel-coated cast-iron tubs, found in older properties, are more durable but prone to rust if the enamel chips. Natural stone surrounds need pH-neutral cleaners — vinegar and bleach will etch the surface over time.
When in doubt, apply any new cleaner to a small hidden area first and check after five minutes before working over the whole tub.
How to Clean a Bathtub: 5 Steps
- 1
Remove everything and rinse the surface
Take out all bottles, soap dishes, and drain covers. Run warm water over the entire tub to loosen surface debris and soften dried soap residue. This pre-rinse stops your cleaning product from getting diluted unevenly and ensures you are working on a wet surface, which most bathroom cleaners need to activate properly.
- 2
Apply the right cleaner and let it dwell
Spray a non-abrasive bathroom cleaner or a DIY paste of baking soda and a small amount of dish soap across the walls, floor, and rim of the tub. For hard-water scale, a product that contains citric acid or a diluted white-vinegar spray works well on acrylic and enamel. Leave the cleaner to sit for five to ten minutes — this dwell time does most of the work for you and means far less scrubbing.
- 3
Scrub with the right tool for each surface
Use a soft microfibre cloth or a non-scratch sponge for the main basin and walls. Switch to an old toothbrush or a narrow grout brush for the grout lines, the edge where the tub meets the wall, and around the taps and overflow plate. Work from the top of the tub walls downward so loosened grime does not fall back onto areas you have already cleaned.
- 4
Tackle the drain and any stains
Pull out the drain stopper, remove any hair, and scrub around the drain opening with your brush. For yellow or rust stains, apply a paste of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide, leave for 30 minutes, then rinse. For pink or black mildew spots on silicone sealant, a small amount of diluted bleach on a cotton pad left in contact for 10 minutes is effective — rinse thoroughly afterward.
- 5
Rinse thoroughly and dry to prevent water marks
Use the shower head or a jug to rinse all surfaces from top to bottom, making sure no cleaning product is left behind. Leftover residue actually attracts dirt faster, so a complete rinse matters. Dry the tub with a clean microfibre cloth or a squeegee — this single habit dramatically reduces water-mark buildup between cleans and is especially important in areas with hard Greek tap water.
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FAQ
- How often should a bathtub be cleaned in a holiday rental?
- A quick reset clean — rinse, spray, wipe, and dry — should happen between every guest stay. A deeper scrub targeting grout, the drain, and any staining should be done at least once a month, or more frequently during the high summer season when turnovers are daily.
- What is the best way to remove limescale from a bathtub in Greece?
- Greek tap water is typically very hard, especially on islands and in areas drawing from limestone aquifers. A product containing citric acid or a spray of undiluted white vinegar left to dwell for 10 to 15 minutes dissolves limescale without scratching acrylic or enamel surfaces. For thick deposits, reapply and cover with a damp cloth to keep the acid in contact longer.
- Can I use bleach to clean an acrylic bathtub?
- Diluted bleach (one part bleach to ten parts water) can be used sparingly on acrylic to treat mildew or grout stains, but it should never be left to soak for long periods or used undiluted, as it can dull and micro-crack the surface over time. For routine cleaning, a pH-neutral or mildly alkaline cleaner is safer and just as effective.