Back in my "pre-kid" days I'd use bleach & scrub scrub scrub, now that my one year old son takes baths im afraid to use bleach because I'm worried that the bleach may still be in/on the tub surface? whats the best way to clean a tub without using bleach?? is there one? :)
What about the Clorox Green spray and a Mr Clean Magic Eraser? That's what I use. And rinse, rinse, rinse.
hi~
I use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
Here is some more info on non-toxic cleaning from http://www.greenamericatoday.org/pubs/realgreen/articles/greencleaners.cfm
"Bathroom surface cleaners: You can use the all-purpose cleaners recommended above or, for even simpler bathroom cleaning, use baking soda or borax as a scouring powder. For a softer scrub, Bond says to combine 1/2 cup baking soda with enough liquid soap to achieve a frosting-like consistency. You may want to add 5-10 drops of an essential oil for fragrance. Club soda works wonders on plumbing fixtures.
The Basic Ten
Stock your cupboards with these ten products, and you can clean just about anything:
1) White vinegar: An antifungal that also kills germs and bacteria.
2) Baking soda: Eliminates odors and works as a gentle scouring powder.
3) Borax: Borax, the common name for the natural mineral compound sodium borate, eliminates odors, removes dirt, and acts as an antifungal and possible disinfectant. Use with care around children and pets, as it can be toxic if swallowed.
4) Hydrogen peroxide (3% concentration): A great nontoxic bleach and stain remover, as well as a proven disinfectant.
5) Club soda (fresh): A stain remover and polisher.
6) Lemon juice: A pleasant-smelling nontoxic bleach, grease-cutter, and stain remover.
7) Liquid castile soap: An all-purpose cleaner, grease-cutter, and disinfectant. "Castile" means the soap is vegetable-based, not animal-fat-based.
8) Corn meal: Great at picking up carpet spills.
9) Olive oil: Makes a wonderful furniture polish.
10) Pure essential oils: Adding all-natural, organic essential oils to your cleaning concoctions can add wonderful scents to your housekeeping endeavors. Some—such as lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and tea tree oils—also may have antibacterial, antifungal, or insect-repelling properties. To find pure, organic essential oils, visit your local health food store or consult the "Aromatherapy/ Essential Oils" category of our National Green Pages™. Remember to use care with essential oils, as they can cause harmful reactions when ingested or put directly on the skin. Some are considered dangerous for pregnant women (To be safe and simplify things, stick with eucalyptus, lemongrass, and tea tree oils for all recipes below if you're pregnant).
Good luck!
Tilex Soap Scum remover is the best cleanser I've found. I used it to remove years of grime and build-up in a 100+ yr old victorian tub. Just spray on, let it sit for a few minutes, and with a gentle sponge (plastic scrubbie or something that doesn't scratch, rinse it off). To keep it clean (as well as the tile walls, fiberglass enclosure and glass door) I use Method dishwashing liquid or simply Dawn on a sponge and it takes scum right off, leaving everything shining. Rinse well.
Be careful with the Mr Clean eraser, it is very caustic and can scratch delicate surfaces (use with gloves).
I use Srubing Bubbles and Magic Eraser and Rinse Rinse Rinse with HOT water!
there is NOTHING wrong with a good bleach cleaning on ANY surface as long as its rinsed. Besides, by the time bathwater is filled up, it'd be diluted to like 1/100,000 or less. You know you're suppose to mix a little bleach and water to soak toys and bottles? That's how many day-cares and homes keep items germ/bacteria-free ;)
baking soda
BOROX. Then rinse it well and if you are still concerned, wash it down with a little soapy water (dish soap).
I try not to use chemicals to clean my house as much as possible (steam mop etc). I've found I can get the tub very clean using only a tiny bit of tub cleaner (like a tablespoon or less on a rough rag) if I use VERY hot water. Put on gloves so you don't burn your hands and then use a washcloth to rub clean hot water everywhere, then a little cleanser on the rag and rub circles around the walls and floor of the tub. Baking soda is also great for making a scrubbing paste.
If you have to use a little bleach, it's probably not the WORST thing in the world (I mean who doesn't let their kids swim in chlorine) and whatever's left will evaporate before you use the tub for baby, but limiting chlorine bleach in the house is a smart move anyway from a health standpoint.
Also, I'd say cleaning it more frequently than you would with bleach will make it easier to clean without the "big guns."
Hope this helps.
Thea
The only thing I've found that gets my tub clean is Magic Eraser. Then I just use a little disinfectant after for the disinfecting properties more than anything. Just rinse well and all is good.
As long as you rinse it well i see nothing wrong with bleach. I don't know why everyone is so afraid of everything now days. My parents used all that crap to clean when I was a kid, never hurt me. Or anyone else Ive ever known.
I use Soft Scrub with bleach and rinse with hot water very well. Like the previous mom said, I really don't get all the fuss over using cleaning products as long as you are thorough with rinsing.
I use comet with bleach and scrub. Then rinse.
We spend at least 2 days a week in swimming pools, and that's in the winter. In the summer we're talking 6-8 hours a day in the pool 7 days a week. Seems sort of silly to me to avoid bleach products in the house, but be swimming in bleach for hours (the chlorine is one and the same, either in a bottle labeled bleach, or in a swimming pool).
I mix baking soda and borax half and half and use as you would a cleanser.
Baking soda. Make a paste with some water. You can add a few drops of tea tree oil as a natural antibacterial. I always wondered why parents used bleach. I mean, what is growing in there? It's just soap residue and body oils - not ebola. :-)
I avoid using bleach for personal reasons, but you should know that the recommended product for childcare centers to us to disinfect toys and surfaces is chlorine bleach solution that is nine parts water to one part bleach. That should tell you that if you choose to continue using bleach in your tub, it isn't going to hurt your son. Whatever you do use, you need to just be sure you rinse the tub well before bathing him.
I use commet and scrub. I also use a bleach bathroom cleaner on the ring and pink "mold" that comes up. It's not like using straight bleach and it gets the crud out.
I recently discovered H2O at Home all natural cleaning products. They make a Clay Powder that is 100% Natural and biodegradable that can be used in the bathroom and kitchen to perfectly clean faucets, tiles, ceramics, ovens, etc... It's a direct sale company and it may seem expensive when you look at their products but you need only a tiny bit of the clay powder so it will last for a very very long time. I personally can't stand the smell of most cleaning products, even the "green" products and I didn't want my daughter being exposed to the fumes or touching the chemicals. I'm really happy with these products which have been used in Europe for years. They also make special microfiber cloths that you can use to clean everything from windows to the greasiest stove top with just water! I know it sounds like I'm trying to plug a product, but I don't sell this stuff and I don't benefit from any orders, I just am happy that I found something to clean my house quickly and safely! Here's the web address to check it out.
https://www.myh2oathome.com/A100047/
try "scrubbing bubbles", you spray it on and it basically does all the work...
Ecover makes an all-purpose cleaner that works so well! You can get it at Whole Foods and othe natural stores. It is all natural so I don't worry about any negative effects on my son. This actually works so good we use it all over the house!