Cleaning the bathroom is my least favorite chore. I hate kneeling over the tub, scrubbing at stubborn soap scum and mildew stains that just won't come up. Thankfully, the best bathtub cleaners cut through build-up and grime and leave my tub sparkling. Pair it with one of the best electric spin scrubbers to take on the back-aching scrubbing for you and still get a heavy-duty clean.
I let the soap scum, water spots, and grime build up in my bathroom before testing almost two dozen shower cleaners to find the best for use on tile, porcelain, and plastic tubs. My best overall pick is Scrubbing Bubbles Easy Clean Multi-Purpose Foam. It cleared up caked-on dirt and soap with minimal scrubbing. If you're looking to avoid harsh chemicals, I recommend Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Vinegar Gel Cleaning Spray, a natural cleaner that uses vinegar as its main ingredient.
Our top picks for the best bathtub cleaners
Best overall: Scrubbing Bubbles Easy Clean Multi-Purpose Foam - See at Amazon
Runner up: Stardrops The Pink Stuff Miracle Multi-Purpose Cleaner - See at Amazon
Best natural: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Vinegar Gel Cleaning Spray - See at Amazon
Best for tile: Zep Foaming Shower Tub and Tile Cleaner - See at Amazon
Best heavy-duty: Clorox Multi-Surface Cleaner + Bleach - See at Amazon
Best for hard water and rust: CLR Brilliant Bath Foaming Cleaner Spray - See at Amazon
Best for mold and mildew: Lysol Mold & Mildew Remover - See at Amazon
Best overall
Scrubbing Bubbles Easy Clean is the best overall bathtub cleaner because it cuts through soap scum, dirt, and hard water without tedious scrubbing.
What we like
What we don't like
Scrubbing Bubbles Easy Clean Multi-Purpose Foam lives up to the name, with a formula that quickly cuts through grime. Out of all the cleaners I tried, this is the product I've kept coming back to for my cleaning routine.
The cleaner immediately foams after spraying, working to break down dirt and other messes. I let it sit for about a minute before wiping it away, and once I did, I was impressed. It excelled at cleaning soap scum, dirt, hard water, and mildew stains. It took one wipe with a microfiber cloth for the surface to go from visibly dirty to sparkling clean.
Scrubbing Bubbles is sold in a traditional trigger spray bottle as well as an aerosol can. It applied evenly with no drips, though it did have a noticeable "bathroom cleaner" scent that remained in the room for a few hours. If you're trying to make bathtub cleaning as easy as possible, though, I definitely recommend it.
Runner up
True to its name, The Pink Stuff Bathroom Foam Cleaner is a bright pink spray that breaks down soap, dirt, grime, and limescale.
What we like
What we don't like
I was so torn between picking Scrubbing Bubbles and The Pink Stuff that I had to feature The Pink Stuff in our runner-up category. Like Scrubbing Bubbles, it cleaned soap scum and dirt impressively, leaving bright and tidy surfaces in its wake.
The Pink Stuff cleaner had significant issues with dripping and running after application, making it especially difficult to clean vertical surfaces like shower walls. The spray didn't result in an even application, making its ease of use a little difficult, though it didn't result in streaks on the shower walls.
Best natural
Made without harsh chemicals, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Vinegar Cleaning Gel excels at cleaning soap scum and making tiles and steel shine.
What we like
What we don't like
Most traditional bathroom cleaners use harsh chemicals for their sparkling clean, resulting in heavy fumes that may agitate people with allergies or not be safe to use around pets or kids. For those looking for a gentler, more natural clean, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Vinegar Cleaning Gel is formulated with vinegar, plant-based cleaning ingredients, and essential oils.
The natural formula is much thicker than a typical bathroom cleaner, with the consistency of gel. While testing, this texture actually helped the cleaner cut through grease, dirt, and hard water, resulting in an all-around deeper clean. It even whitened the grout around my tile, something that almost all other cleaners struggled to do.
It takes some effort to wipe up, but the final result is clear, shiny porcelain and tile. My one gripe: since it's made with vinegar, it has a strange, almost pickle-like smell that comes through the essential oils used in the cleaner. Otherwise, though, it's a fantastic natural cleaner.
Best for tile
Zep Shower, Tub, and Tile Cleaner is the best bathtub cleaner for tile, leaving shower walls dirt-free and shiny.
What we like
What we don't like
The best bathtub cleaner for tile takes care of residue on your shower walls. Since water may not be directly touching your shower walls as often as your actual tub, it's important to give them extra attention during your cleaning process.
Zep Foaming Shower, Tub, and Tile cleaner was especially impressive on tile. With a little scrubbing, it cleared away residue with ease. The tile was also noticeably shiny after using Zep, contributing to an all-around clean feeling. It's always nice to see the results after cleaning.
There's no heavy scent associated with Zep, but the spray did drip upon application. It also didn't perform as well on the bathtub itself, but it was truly impressive when cleaning bathroom tile.
Best heavy-duty
We recommend Clorox’s bleach-based cleaner for a heavy-duty clean that also disinfects.
What we like
What we don't like
There were a few times during testing where the clean was so good I actually said, "oh, wow." Using Clorox Multi-Surface Cleaner + Bleach was one of those times, removing dirt and soap to reveal sparkling clean surfaces beneath.
If you're looking for a truly heavy-duty clean in a very dirty shower or bathtub, this is the cleaner I recommend. It cleaned soap scum, dirt, and hard water like it was nothing, blasting through all residue. I let it sit for a few seconds after spraying, then wiped it off, requiring no scrubbing. Plus, it's made with bleach, so it can help whiten your shower and remove mold and mildew stains, too.
Like other bleach cleaners, it has a heavy scent and cannot be used in tandem with other cleaners, since this can result in toxic fumes.
Best for hard water
CLR Brilliant Bath is a bathroom-specific cleaner of the brand’s original heavy-duty formula. It’s the best bathtub cleaner we tested for hard water stains and rust.
What we like
What we don't like
I've always struggled with removing hard water stains from my bathroom — I grew up near the Flint Hills in Kansas, so I'm no stranger to mineral build-up and limestone scaling — but CLR Brilliant Bath put my scrubbing days in the past.
CLR is best known for its original formula, a potent cleaning concentrate that, when combined with water, basically melts calcium, lime, and rust from surfaces. CLR Brilliant Bath is a gentler, foaming cleaner that's best for use in bathrooms, specifically.
I was impressed by how well CLR Brilliant Bath handled hard water stains. I live in an area with notoriously bad water, so minerals have built up for years. CLR Brilliant Bath cut through it like it was nothing, visibly whitening stains and removing buildup.
It also thoroughly cleans soap scum and dirt, so it has multiple uses in the bathroom, too. That said, it's not as multi-purpose as the original CLR, so if you're looking to find a cleaner that you can use in the bathroom and around your home, I'd recommend the original formula instead.
Best for mold and mildew
Lysol’s Mold & Mildew Remover is a powerful cleaner designed to kill mold and remove stains from mold and mildew.
What we like
What we don't like
The bathroom is a humid place, so it's susceptible to mold and mildew buildup. Especially in the shower, you'll find mold and mildew stains in your grout and around the faucet.
Lysol Mold & Mildew Remover uses bleach to kill mold, whiten stains, and disinfect the surface. I immediately saw a noticeable difference in mold and mildew stains. I'm renting my house, so I'm not sure how long those stubborn stains have been in my bathtub, but I hypothesize that it's been years. Lysol Mold and Mildew Remover did a stand-up job of turning the stains from a dark, fuzzy brown to a much softer gray. I plan to use it consistently to determine if multiple applications help reduce the appearance.
I also sprayed this cleaner on a patch of stubborn mold in my bathroom, and it almost instantly dissolved. After letting it sit for a few seconds, I wiped up the mold without scrubbing. I also appreciate that the cleaner disinfects the surface to prevent bacteria or mold growth in the future.
Since it's a bleach-based product, it does have a heavy, bleach scent that irritates my nostrils when I use it. Also, be sure not to mix it with other cleaners to avoid accidentally creating dangerous fumes.
What else we recommend
In addition to our top picks, we also recommend the following:
Wet and Forget Weekly Shower Cleaner: Wet & Forget's weekly cleaner is less for heavy-duty cleaning and more for preventing the build-up of soap scum and grime. We recommend using it in between bathroom cleanings to keep your shower and tub cleaner for longer.
Original CLR: The Brilliant Bath CLR is best for general bathroom cleaning, but the Ooriginal CLR can also tackle rust and clean every corner of your home. Use this if you're looking for a rust remover or a powerful multipurpose cleaner.
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Baking Soda Cream Cleaner: This cream-based cleaner was difficult to apply to shower walls since it lacks a spray application, but it's incredible at cutting through oil and greasy messes like soap scum. We also recommend it for kitchen messes on stovetops, pots, and pans.
How we tested
I tested nearly two dozen bathtub cleaners in my own bathroom, including tile, painted, and porcelain surfaces. Following the usage directions, I noted each cleaner's efficacy on the following:
- Soap scum: Soap scum refers to the greasy, hard-to-clean residue left over in the shower. To test this, I poured soap on the shower wall tile and bathtub surface.
- Dirt: You're likely to see dirt build-up in your tub, especially if you use it to clean your pets. I made a mud mixture, spread it on the shower wall and tub, then let it dry.
- Hard water: I live in an area with hard water, so I removed my filtered shower head and allowed hard water to build up over weeks before testing.
- Other stains: I also tested each cleaner on rust, mold, and mildew stains that appeared naturally in my bathroom
In these tests, I noted the application process of each cleaner, along with any strong scents or fumes. I looked for drips after application and noted how much scrubbing was required to remove the cleaner and residue. I then observed the surface, looking for its cleanliness and shine.
What to look for
When choosing your own bathroom cleaning products, keep an eye out for the following:
Types: We've mainly recommended sprays and spray foams above, since they're easy to apply and don't take much effort to scrub off. Spray foams, in particular, bubble and break down grime. You can also find cleaning powders and gels to clean your bathroom, though these are more difficult to apply and require some scrubbing. Powders can also be abrasive on some surfaces. Follow the bottle's cleaning directions for instructions on application.
Compatible surfaces: Always review compatible surfaces with each cleaner. Try a patch test on an inconspicuous place if you're concerned about damaging or causing discoloration to your tub. Some cleaners shouldn't be used on stainless steel, while others are compatible with all hard, non-porous surfaces. And, if you're lucky enough to have a marble bathroom, you'll need a gentle, specialized cleaner to avoid damaging the stone.
Ingredients/Formula: Common cleaning formulas include acids, natural ingredients like vinegar or baking soda, or bleach. Bleach is a heavy-duty bathroom cleaning ingredient, known to sanitize and disinfect, break down mold and mildew, and whiten surfaces. Bleach can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system, since it's unpleasant to breathe in, so many people opt for other formulas, which are just as effective for routine cleaning. Outside of bleach-based cleaners, other sprays use surfactants to loosen messes and use citric or lactic acid to break them down. Bleach should never be mixed with acid-based cleaners or any other chemicals. For those looking to avoid harsh chemicals, plant-based cleaners use vinegar or baking soda for a natural clean that is safe around pets and kids.
Scent: Whether you're a lavender or citrus lover, look for gentle scents to keep your bathroom smelling fresh and minimize irritation while cleaning. Unscented or natural scents are also ideal for people with allergies or other sensitivities. Not all chemical-based products will smell pleasant; make sure you keep your bathroom well ventilated while cleaning by opening the window or running an exhaust fan to mitigate any fumes.
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