Over time, plastic bathtubs can become discolored and lose their shine. To get your plastic tub white again, try using a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Apply the mixture to the tub and let it sit for about 30 minutes before scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush.
Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Let the paste sit until dry, then rinse out the tub with warm water, or wipe any excess off. Repeat until all stains are gone. You can also use this solution to clean tile and grout, as referenced in our blog.
Use safe cleaning products
Baking soda is effective in eliminating stubborn grime from acrylic. As for persistent stains, use warm water and vinegar to fill the bathtub, let the mixture soak for 15 minutes or longer to break down any mildew or dirt, and then empty the water. A clear bathtub will appear.
White distilled vinegar: fill a spray bottle with full-strength vinegar; let it stay there for a few minutes, and then scrub it off. Acetone: wipe the acetone on the plastic with a soft cloth to remove stains caused by dye, paint or pigments. Oven cleaner: let sit for one hour.
Pour white vinegar all over the tub. Let the vinegar work on the stains for 15 minutes. Sprinkle baking soda on any stains that are still visible. Use a soft sponge to scrub the stained area.
Fortunately, a bit of bleach will make your tub look new again. To get started, rinse the tub out with water. Mix up a diluted bleach solution, then get to scrubbing. Rinse the tub out with water and then dry it with a towel.
To clean your bathtub, simply sprinkle baking soda on every surface that is dirty then add warm water. The mixture should begin to bubble and after about two to three minutes, begin scrubbing. If you have tough stains, combine your baking soda with either vinegar or ammonia. Your showerhead is a different story.
Using Peroxide to Clean Yellowed Plastic
Pour straight peroxide in a container. Put the plastic in the container. Allow the plastic to soak in the sunlight until the stain lifts. Rinse and dry.
Retro-Brite (Sole Brite) Spray Gel : Restores Yellowed Plastic (16oz)
Create a baking soda paste to use on the yellow stains.
Pour some baking soda into a small cup or similar container. Add water slowly, mixing it with the baking soda until it forms a paste. You can apply the baking soda paste to the plastic before letting it sit on the plastic for a few hours.
For stubborn stains, simply sprinkle some baking soda over them and use a sponge soaked in hot water to scrub them thoroughly. The stain should come right off. Be sure to not scrub the tub with tough bristles as it might damage the surface.
Instead, use a soft sponge or cotton cloth. Homeowners who wish to avoid store-bought chemical cleaners can instead use household products such as white vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice to clean their acrylic tubs.
As mentioned there are a number of ways in which you can clean yellowed plastic. You can use bleach, baking soda, sodium bicarbonate and white vinegar as cleaning agents for yellowed plastic, and give plastic items a new lease of life, all by yourself.
A great way to fix a discoloured bathtub is to make a paste out of baking soda and water and apply it to the stain. Let the paste dry, then scrub it off with a brush or sponge. You can also try using diluted vinegar or lemon juice on the stain.
Plastic bathtub refinishing is similar to the process of refinishing and repairing porcelain and fiberglass bathtubs. First, the surface must be chemically cleaned to remove any soap scum, mineral deposits, or body oils. Next, all cracks and chips are filled and sanded smooth.
The reversibility of the discoloration chemistry has been “demonstrated” by placing the discolored plastic in UV-rich light (e.g. sunlight), which “bleaches” out the color by causing the quinone to go “away;” however, this reaction is not truly reversible.
Why does your once white clock face, storage box, old video game console, or white appliances turn yellow? Well, it's because of excess UV light exposure. The more exposed plastic is to UV light, the quicker it changes color. However, the change of color does not happen straight away – it will take a while to change.
Plastic yellowing often occurs when polymer chains degrade. This happens either in the presence of oxygen and UV light (photooxidation) or in sufficient heat (thermal oxidation). As a result, “yellow bodies” are created that impart yellow coloration.
"A ratio of 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 cup of water should be ideal. Wearing gloves, wipe this mixture over your yellowed plastic. Leave for a few moments, then wipe away with water." Don't forget to put on some rubber gloves before handling and wash your hands thoroughly after dealing with any chemicals.
One of the most frequently asked questions is "how do I get rid of yellow stains and clean the shower tray?" A home remedy to remove this annoying yellowing is to use half a lemon with salt and rub it on the stain, and then rinse off the shower tray.
To shorten the chemistry lesson, essentially, the industrious folks behind the Retr0Bright project had discovered that it's the bromine - often used as flame retardant in plastics - that's causing the yellowing. And the keys to reverse the process are hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet (UV) light.
Adding a quarter cup of baking soda to a lukewarm bath and soaking for up to 30 minutes may relieve itching, irritation, or infections or just provide a detox.
To remove film buildup on bathtubs, apply full-strength white vinegar to a sponge and wipe the area. Next, use baking soda as you would scouring powder. Rub with a damp sponge and rinse thoroughly. Vinegar removes most dirt without scrubbing and doesn't leave a film.
To clean your plastic bathtub without scratching it, avoid using abrasive cleaners or scrubbers. Instead, use a soft cloth or sponge and a mild cleaner such as dish soap or baking soda. You can also try using a melamine sponge, which is gentle but effective at removing stains.