Best Bathtub Cleaners of 2023

Nov 01, 2023

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Whether you love a relaxing bubble bath or a cold shower to get going in the morning, one thing that makes it better is a clean bathtub.

Soap residue, moisture, and lack of airflow and light provide a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, leaving behind an unpleasant tub to look at. A quick wipe down with a towel or squeegee after each use will help prevent water spots and soap scum build-up. Using a bathroom fan (if there is one) and making sure the shower curtain isn't left bunched up will also help reduce moisture that leads to mildew growth, too.

Read more: Your ultimate guide to spring cleaning in 2021, including discounts on our favorite cleaning brands

Through the years, I've tested dozens of different cleaners and formulas and rounded up some of my favorites below, based on cleaning performance, ease of use, and, of course, price. Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches home products.

Best bathtub cleaner overall: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Foaming Bath Scrubber - See at AmazonMr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Scrubber has a foaming formula, a fresh scent, and effectively cuts through tough soap scum around the tub.

Best bathtub cleaner for hard water and rust stains: CLR Pro Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover - See at The Home DepotCLR Pro Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover will erase discoloration caused by calcium and rust on stucco, porcelain, dishwashers, and in your bathroom.

Best bathtub cleaner for mold and mildew: Clorox Plus Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover - See at The Home DepotClorox Plus Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover will easily remove tacked-on mold and mildew stains without having to scrub.

Best electric bathtub scrubber: Homitt Electric Spin Scrubber - See at AmazonWith the Homitt Electric Spin Scrubber, you won't have to bend or get on your knees to scrub your tub.

Best natural bathtub cleaner: Bon Ami Powder Cleanser - See at TargetIf you're on the hunt for an affordable, naturally-made cleaner that won't damage your porcelain tub, the Bon Ami Powder Cleanser is a tried-and-tested product that will actually leave your tub sparkling.

Best bathtub drain cleaner: Whink Hair Clog Blaster - See at AmazonIf your drain is clogged, the Whink Hair Clog Blaster will flush out buildup for a fresh, clean tub.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Scrubber has a foaming formula, a fresh scent, and effectively cuts through tough soap scum around the tub.

Pros: Combination scrubbing pad and foam cleaner, cuts through soap scum and hard water spots, activated with just water, Febreze-infused for a fresh scent, simple to use

Cons: Can't be used on acrylic bathtubs; if the tub is exceptionally filthy, it may require two erasers to get it clean

I've tried various spray-on cleaners that promise to keep you from having to scrub the tub, but I always end up scrubbing more to get it completely clean. So, when Mr. Clean introduced the Magic Eraser Foaming Bath Scrubber, it became my go-to because it combines a scrubber and cleaner in one.

The Febreze-scented sponge is about 30% larger than the original Mr. Clean Eraser so it's big enough to clean your entire bathroom. The "scrubber" in the product's name is due to the sponge's textured surface and the high-powered formula will even leave your grout clean and damage-free, too.

Once the cleaning is done, I rinse the tub and toss away the worn-down eraser — no mess and no fuss for my weekly bathtub cleaning routine.

CLR Pro Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover will erase discoloration caused by calcium and rust on stucco, porcelain, dishwashers, and in your bathroom.

Pros: Cuts through hard water stains and discoloration from rust and magnesium, easy to use, nontoxic formula, certified by the US EPA as a Safer Choice product

Cons: Solution is acidic and can harm wood, wallpaper, and some surfaces; can't be combined with other cleaners

I grew up on a farm with a well and our water was filled with minerals that left streaks of color all over the bathtub. No matter how hard we scrubbed, the deposits lingered, especially around the tub drain. After we discovered CLR Pro Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover and did a bit of scrubbing, we finally saw a white bathtub.

Hard water can contain trace minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, aluminum, and manganese that can become trapped and stain or etch surfaces, and, in some cases, even block water flow.

CLR is a US EPA Safer Choice product, so it's certified to contain nontoxic ingredients. Though void of "tough" agents, it's a highly powerful cleaner that will effectively remove hard water and rust stains from your tub and surrounding areas.

Clorox Plus Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover will easily remove tacked-on mold and mildew stains without having to scrub.

Pros: Contains chlorine bleach that will begin to kill mold and disinfect bathtub immediately, has surfactants to cut through soap scum, the spray bottle is refillable, smart technology nozzle reduces waste

Cons: Bleach can cause fading of fabric and wallpaper

When mold spores find a warm, dark, moist environment with plenty of food, they like to take root. Fortunately, Clorox Plus Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover helps kill mold and will leave your bathroom good as new.

One of the most effective cleaning products for mold and mildew infestations is chlorine bleach. However, pure bleach is not always the best at removing other types of dirt. That's why this product combines bleach with other cleaning agents that cut through soap scum. As an added benefit, when used as directed, the product kills 99.9% of common bacteria like staph and strep.

The product works best if you treat the infestation as soon as it appears, but large colonies of mold may require several treatments before they disappear completely.

Clorox's spray also has "smart tube" technology — the spray tube and nozzle are melded to the very bottom of the bottle so you can get every drop of the formula. There are gallon-sized refills available so you can save on wasteful plastic bottles, too.

With the Homitt Electric Spin Scrubber , you won't have to bend or get on your knees to scrub your tub.

Pros: Easy to use, three brush heads fit many types of bathtubs, rechargeable batteries, sturdy, 12-month warranty, and money-back guarantee

Cons: Requires additional bathtub cleaning product

There were two reasons I bought a Homitt Electric Spin Scrubber for my house. One, the resilience of my youthful knees was seriously waning. And two, my sons liked using a "power tool" to do the cleaning. I can spray some cleaner in the tub and they can scrub away without having to use much arm power.

The scrubber comes equipped with a 21-inch extendable handle and three different brush heads that will rotate and fit many bathtub configurations: a round brush for bathtubs and sinks, a corner scrubber for hard-to-reach places, and a big flat head for large surface areas. It's also cordless and powered by a rechargeable battery that runs for up to 90 minutes, after three and a half hours of charging.

The only downside to the scrubber is the initial expense. However, it does have a 12-month warranty and a 60-day money-back guarantee.

If you're on the hunt for an affordable, naturally-made cleaner that won't damage your porcelain tub, the Bon Ami Powder Cleanser is a tried-and-tested product that will actually leave your tub sparkling.

Pros: Removes stains caused by normal tub use; made without chlorine, perfume, or dye; polishes your tub when applied; cleans without scratching

Cons: Scrub brush required

I have my bathroom cleaning routine down to a science, meaning I do a deep clean every week to ensure there's no grime buildup in any crevice. Part of making my new bathtub spotless is the Bon Ami Powder Cleanser.

Our family plumber recommended this product to us and we've always called it "the miracle gold product." It's formulated without harsh chemicals and is effective yet gentle on hard surfaces. Even with a thorough, tough scrub, my tub remains unscratched and, impressively, sparkling when done.

It's important not to use this product with a scouring pad, like Brillo, as this can chip away your tub's foundation. Use either a sponge around your tub's surface or a scrubbing brush — my go-to — for your entire tub floor. And, because of my petite frame, I appreciate that this product is easy to use so my arms won't become fatigued, as was the case with other cleaners I've used. — Victoria Giardina, Buying Guides Fellow

If your drain is clogged, the Whink Hair Clog Blaster will flush out buildup for a fresh, clean tub.

Pros: Cuts through hair clogs in bathtubs easily, safe for plumbing and septic system

Cons: Powerful chemicals that can be dangerous if not handled properly, shouldn't be used for grease clogs, may require a second cleaning

When a mess of hair, soap scum, and shampoo residue forms a lump that simply won't move along, water stands in the tub and gives grime plenty of time to settle in. Luckily, Whink Hair Clog Blaster quickly solves the issue.

It contains sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite, sodium metasilicate, and modified amine oxide that will cut right through the clog. This is a powerful cleaner, so safety precautions must be taken to prevent eye and skin damage — read through the instructions carefully.

When used correctly, Whink Hair Clog Blaster is safe for plumbing and septic systems. If it doesn't work the first time, allow it to sit in the drain for several hours or overnight before flushing.

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