How To Remove Black Stains From Bathtub

In this detailed guide, I will show you how to remove black stains from bathtub and leave it as clean as new. If you didn’t know, a bathtub can be something of a haven within the home.

After a particularly rough day, you can retreat to the bathtub and enjoy a nice, relaxing soak that wilts away all of the stresses of the day.

Unfortunately, you may come to find that instead of a soak, you are met with nasty black stains in your bathtub. Those stains are never what you want to see but they don’t have to be a major deal, either.

If you are facing black stains in your bathtub, there is a relatively straightforward method for getting them out. Don’t panic at the sight of black stains in your bathtub. Follow these steps to get them out sooner rather than later.

What Are Those Black Stains in Bathtub?

Over time and consistent use, anything will become dirty. Your bathtub is no different. It needs to be cleaned every once in a while, to keep the fixture looking clean and new with each additional use over time.

But what are those black stains? Those black stains are the result of trapped water that has not dried properly. That’s not to say that it is even standing water.

It could just be areas in the tub that do not dry properly. Accumulation can be small over time but it all adds up in the end. Those black stains are generally one of two things.

It is either mineral deposits that are created by hard water or mildew. The latter is the grosser of the two and needs to be dealt with in short order, otherwise you could be staring down a mold issue.

Mineral deposits caused by hard water are more common. Depending on the area in which you live, the water may be harder than normal.

That is because there are minerals in the ground and water in the area. Those minerals are small and can’t be seen but they can build up on surfaces over time.

In your bathtub, it can even lead to that unsightly black substance that you see forming on the surfaces. The good news is that it isn’t all that tough to clean them off and get your tub looking clean and new again.

How To Remove Black Stains From Bathtub

There are generally three primary methods for getting those black stains out. You can use a “magic eraser” cleaner in addition to a dry cleanser. There are also heavy-duty bathroom cleaners out there that should do the job.

Finally, you can create a homemade remedy from vinegar that should do the trick. The methods are all relatively the same. Just follow the steps below while using the cleaner of your choice.

Step 1: Choose Your Cleaner

Before you can get started cleaning, you must first choose your cleaner. Keep in mind that they will all bring you to the same result. That said, some people have a preference about the type of cleaner that they are willing to use for purposes like this.

Dry cleansers such as Ajax or Comet are safe to use and typically are mixed with water to form a paste. The heavy-duty cleaners will get the job done but come with chemicals that can be potentially toxic to breathe in.

Finally, vinegar is the most natural of all the solutions. Besides, you should have white vinegar in your home anyway as it is an extremely versatile cleaning agent.

Step 2: Apply Your Cleaner

If you decide to go with a dry cleanser, something such as Ajax or Comet, you will have to add some water to form a paste. Mix the water and cleanser together thoroughly using a plastic knife until the paste becomes thick enough.

Coat the inside of your tub evenly with the paste with a thin layer. Give it about 15 minutes or so, allowing the cleanser to penetrate the stains and break them down.

Heavy-duty cleaners typically have their own set of instructions. For the most part, it is simply to spray on the stained areas and let it sit for a few minutes.

Whenever using chemicals, have the door and/or window open to increase air flow. Some of them use chemicals that should not be breathed in by anyone.

Finally, if you choose to use white vinegar, you will need to dilute it by mixing it with water. You can do so in a spray bottle, coating the inside of the tub. You can also choose to go a bit heavier on the stained area in particular.

Step 3: Wiping the Stain

Depending on the severity of the stain, a plain sponge or even a rag may be enough to get the stain out. It all depends on what kind of cleaning power that you need.

What would be better is to have a Scotch-Brite Easy Eraser, a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, or something comparable. Those cleaning sponges are not quite the same as a standard sponge.

They can get out some of the toughest stains imaginable with a little bit of time and elbow grease. Just moisten them with a little bit of water and get to scrubbing over the sprayed areas.

Depending on the severity of the stain, you may have to really get in there and scrub hard. It may even take re-applying the cleaner to get the spot totally out.

Step 4: Rinse

When you are satisfied that the stain has been removed, it is time to flush away all of the cleaner. You can use your tub’s shower head to spray down the entirety of the tub; just make sure that you rinse it all away completely.

Don’t worry about drying the tub. Just pull back the curtain and let it dry the natural way. You should always reassess the situation after drying.

Surfaces can look differently after they have had a little time to dry. If need be, repeat steps 2 and 3 again. Some of the most severe stains require a little extra work to get them clean.

Unless it is a seriously extreme stain, they should come out. If they don’t, though, you may want to consider whether or not it is time to replace your tub.

Preventative Care

It is always easier to prevent the issue from happening than trying to clean it up when those black spots show up. You can keep your tub protected from those black stains relatively easily, too.

When you get out of the tub, just give it a good wipe. When water is allowed to sit on the surface of the tub, it has the potential to form into those black stains.

By wiping the water away, you also remove most of the mineral buildup as well. When those minerals don’t have a chance to sit and fester, you can avoid those ugly black stains.

That said, people still have to clean from time to time. Even if you don’t see those black stains on your tub, consider performing the cleaning steps listed above.

A good, deep cleaning will get the surfaces of your tub clean from top to bottom. Even better, you don’t have to worry about any black stains showing up anytime soon.