Ask Mrs. Clean: House Cleaning, Stain Removal and Organizing Tips

[kgmiller828]

I have a yellow porcelain bathtub and white tub surround. Both have turned an unsightly yellowish-orange color and I can't get it to come clean! I've tried bleach, CLR, vinegar, and regular cleaners. Any other ideas??

[mrscleannw]

Hi kgmiller828,
Welcome to Mrs. Clean’s Forum!
Removing stains from porcelain can be a challenge. To better understand your dilemma, I have a few questions:
How old is the tub? Is the staining recent or has it been building over time? Could the stains be caused by rust?
If the porcelain is damaged or has lost its finish, be careful, because most cleansers can actually make it worse. If this is the case, you may have a permanent stain and you should consult a professional.
If the porcelain is still in good shape, you can try these tricks:
Baking soda works wonders on many stains. Just wet the tub, sprinkle some baking soda and a few drops of dish soap, scrub well, and rinse thoroughly.
Mix cream of tartar with hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Coat the stained area and leave on until the paste dries. Then scrub the residue off with a non-scratching scrub sponge. The stain should come off with it.
You can also try soaking the stains in a mixture of lemon juice and salt, then rinse clean.
Good Luck and let me know how it turns out!
Mrs. Clean

[1stclasscleaning]

hello
There is a product called CLR and stands for Calcium Lime Rust. You
can find this in pretty much any hardware store. If this does not
take it away, there probably is not much that can. Since your tub
is iron definitely stay away from anything that contains a strong
acid (hydrochloric, perchloric and sulfuric are some of the most
common in "OTC" chemical products). Strong acids will corrode your
tub very quickly and you will probably have to replace it at that point.
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