Acrylic is a popular bathtub and shower material because it's easy to maintain and has long-lasting durability. However, like other bathtub materials, it is prone to develop rust stains from water and minerals. We have researched the best methods and materials to remove stains from your acrylic tub and shower for this post.
Here are a couple of methods and their respective steps that you can use to effectively remove rust stains from your acrylic tub:
Method 1: Lemon Juice and Epsom Salt Method
- Pour lemon juice on the affected areas
- Sprinkle salt on the affected areas
- Allow the mixture to sit for a few hours
- Scrub the mixture away
- Rinse the tub with warm water
Method 2: Baking Soda Method
- Make the baking soda paste
- Apply the paste to the tub
- Leave the paste on the stains to soak
- Remove the paste with warm water
It's important to remember that acrylic can be easily damaged if you use abrasive materials to maintain it. It's always best to do a quick spot test with cleaning products and materials to ensure they do not damage the acrylic's surface. Continue reading to learn more about the best way to remove rust stains from your acrylic bathtub.
Precautions When Cleaning Acrylic Tubs and Showers
Some cleaners and chemicals can cause acrylic surfaces to crack, deteriorate and stain. To avoid damaging your acrylic tub, don't use any cleaning tools that do not stay on their label that they are suitable for acrylic or "ABS". The best materials and tools to use on acrylic or ones that are not abrasive and that do not contain bleach, ammonia, or acetone.
Overall, you want to lean more towards non-abrasive cleaners and safe, natural home cleaners. You should also stay away from scratchy cleaning tools such as steel wool or other metal scrubbing pads, as they could cause permanent damage to the tub's surface.
Steps To Remove Rust Stains From An Acrylic Tub Or Shower
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Method 1: Lemon Juice and Epsom Salt Method
Both lemon juice and salt have amazing cleaning properties, and together they can help to lift rust stains from your acrylic tub safely and effectively.
Things you’ll need:
- A microfiber cloth
- A bottle of lemon juice or 3 whole lemons
- Epsom salt
1. Pour lemon juice on the affected areas
Start by pouring the lemon juice over the affected spots on the tub. It's also helpful to run the shower for 5 to 10 minutes to help soften up the rust stains so that they will be damp. When they are, the salt will stick to them better.
2. Sprinkle salt on the affected areas
Next, sprinkle the Epsom salt over the stained areas and ensure that all of the stains are completely saturated.
Check out this Epsom salt on Amazon.
3. Allow the mixture to sit for a few hours
Allow the lemon juice and salt to sit on the rust stains anywhere from three to five hours. It's also helpful to set a timer so that you don't forget to remove the mixture from the tub.
4. Scrub the mixture away
Next, take a microfiber cloth and gently scrub the salt mixture away. If you notice that rust stains are still present on the tub, re-apply the lemon juice and salt and allow them to sit on the stains for another 2 hours. You may need to repeat this once more if the stains are on the larger side.
5. Rinse the tub with warm water
After scrubbing away the mixture, use warm water to rinse off the remaining lemon juice and salt.
Method 2: Baking Soda Method
It's commonly known that baking soda is a great all-natural product to use for combating odors. However, when added to lemon juice, it can be especially effective at removing rust stains safely from your acrylic tub.
Things you’ll need:
- 2-3 boxes of baking soda
- A microfiber cloth
- A cleaning sponge
- Water
1. Make the baking soda paste
Start by pouring a cup of baking soda into a small bowl. Next, combine it with a half cup of water. Stir the mixture with a spoon until it forms a semi-thick paste. If your tub has a significant number of rust stains, you may need to make a bigger batch of paste.
2. Apply the paste to the tub
Next, spread the baking soda paste over the tub's affected areas using a clean sponge or microfiber towel. Pay special attention to areas around the drain and the back of the tub faucet and handles.
Take a look at this microfiber cloth set on Amazon.
3. Leave the paste on the stains to soak
The size and age of the rust stains will determine how long the paste should sit. However, it's best to leave it on at least 4 hours for the best results. You can even leave the paste on overnight if needed.
4. Remove the paste with warm water
When it's time to remove the paste, you'll notice that it may be a bit hard. It's helpful to run the shower for five minutes so that the water can soften the paste and make it easier to remove. Then use a wet sponge or rag to go over the paste and wipe it away from the tub.
Be sure to pay special attention to the areas around the tub's hardware when wiping the paste off, as you don't want the baking soda to remain on the metal surfaces for longer needed. If you notice any lingering traces of rust, make another batch of paste and apply it to the stains to repeat the steps again.
Can I use Iron Out on acrylic tub?
According to its label, Iron Out is a suitable cleaner to use on acrylic surfaces. You can use it for both small and heavy-duty rust stains in your bathtub and shower area. It also works great to remove everyday grime, water stains, and soap scum as well.
Find out more about Iron Out on Amazon.
Can I use CLR on acrylic tub?
Yes, you can use CLR to clean your acrylic tub. CLR is one of the best commercial cleaners that you can use to remove challenging stains such as rust, hard water, and limescale.
Learn more about CLR on Amazon.
How long does CLR take to remove rust?
When it comes to removing rust, you'll be happy to know that CLR works fairly quickly. Whereas you may need to let homemade cleaners sit on rust stains for hours to lift them, CLR can get rid of rust stains in as little as three minutes. However, when applying the solution, you'll want to make sure that you saturate the stain completely to ensure that it can penetrate it fully.
What is the best homemade rust remover?
This is a tough question to answer, as there are a few homemade products that are effective at removing rust. Let's discuss the most popular ones.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a very versatile product and has a wide range of different uses. When it comes to removing rust stains, it’s often touted as one of the best methods to do so. You simply need to add baking soda to water to help lift stubborn stains from surfaces such as acrylic, fiberglass, and porcelain. You can also use it to clean rust from many types of metal as well.
Lemon Juice
The acid in lemon juice is great for penetrating stubborn rust stains. You can use lemon juice alone or in combination with salt to remove rust stains from various surfaces, including metal, acrylic, ceramic, and fiberglass.
White Vinegar
You can also use white vinegar to remove rust stains from many household surfaces. Rust has a chemical reaction to vinegar that causes it to break down and later dissolve. It works particularly well on metal porcelain, acrylic, and tile surfaces. It can be applied by simply spraying the surface with vinegar, letting it sit for 5-20 minutes, and then rinsing the vinegar away with cool water.
Do acrylic tubs turn yellow?
Yes, acrylic tubs can turn yellow due to harsh cleaning solvents and hard water stains. You can use vinegar and lime away to remove them. To prevent them, it's best to only use approved cleaners and products to clean your acrylic bathtub.
Read more about Lime Away on Amazon.
Wrapping Things Up
We hope that this post has provided you with enough information to help you get your acrylic tub cleaned quickly and safely. Remember, it's always a good idea to read the label of cleaning products to avoid damaging your acrylic surfaces.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other post: