As much as I enjoy unwinding in the bath after a long day, I find cleaning my bathtub a lot less relaxing. Fortunately, I’ve discovered a bathtub cleaning trick that makes this particular chore a lot easier!
You only need a broom and some dish soap to do it (although if your tub is seriously grimy, I’d recommend upgrading to my two-ingredient tub and shower cleaner). Ready to see how this trick works?
How to Clean Your Bathtub With a Broom
You’ll need:
*I recommend using a new broom for this purpose because a dirty broom won’t get you very far! Pick up the cheapest one you can find and reserve it for cleaning your tub.
Directions:
Step 1 – Add Soap
Grab a bottle of dish soap and squirt some onto the bottom and sides of your bathtub.
Step 2 – Scrub With the Broom
Get the broom slightly wet, then use it to scrub the soap around the tub. The scrubbing action of the bristles and the grease-cutting action of the dish soap will break up any soap scum, mildew, and other residues that may have built up in your bathtub.
Step 3 – Rinse the Tub Clean
Finally, grab a cup, bucket, or your shower wand (if you have one), and use it to rinse all of the soap and loosened grime down the drain. Then stand back and admire your clean, shiny bathtub!
Less Bending & Reaching = Less Pain!
While anyone can use this cleaning trick to get their tub clean in a flash, it can be especially beneficial for people with limited mobility. Using a long-handled broom to scrub your bathtub eliminates the need to bend, stretch, or kneel to get at those hard-to-reach spots, making it a lot less painful!
So if you or someone you love has limited mobility due to arthritis, injuries, age, or any other mobility-restricting condition, make sure they know about this tip! After all, you shouldn’t have to endure discomfort or soreness just to keep your tub clean.
BONUS: 2 More Bathtub Cleaning Tips
Tip #1 – Use Baking Soda to Erase Stubborn Stains
Can’t seem to get rid of a particularly stubborn stain? Take a handful of baking soda and add enough water to create a paste, then apply the baking soda paste to the stain.
Let it sit for a few hours to dry, then wipe up the paste and try scrubbing the stain again. You’ll be able to erase it much more easily!
Tip #2 – Wipe Out Your Tub Frequently
About once a week, take a few seconds after getting out of the bath to wipe down your tub with a microfiber cloth. The cloth will pick up lingering water and soap residue and keep your bathtub cleaner over time.
What’s your best cleaning trick for bathtubs and showers?






























I use a child’s broom and mop for places hard to reach with a big broom.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have an antique bathtub. does it work for that? I don’t want to buy a new broom if it doesn’t. My tub is old and somewhat pitted on the bottom.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So is my tub. An old tub won’t be like new of course, but this way will be the easiest, and it will be clean with a lot less wear and tear on you.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Definitely!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee, I use a broom for many cleaning chores. I’ll even put a rug in the tub and use a variation of your method. I like all of your tips and none of them seem weird to me (unlike all the ads for cures for removing belly fat, toenail fungus, and every gross ailment on the planet with “try this one weird trick”). Look forward to each and every email. Thanks Jillee.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hahaha! I am so sick of the animated belly fat ones!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Haha. Thought it was just me! Leave the belly fat out of it!
Thanks Mary!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Will be trying this tip! Does the Dawn/vinegar shower cleaner need to be made fresh each time so the vinegar will be hot when used? Can the mixture be reheated in the microwave?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.No need to reheat it – just heat it up for the initial mixing :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Appreciate the idea of a broom/mop because of mobility issues but the soft/flexible water guard on the bottom of my over bath shower screen has marked visible (though not ‘feelable’) lines on the surface of my good quality acrylic bath so I use a soft cloth to clean mine, with what we in GB call washing up liquid – usually Fairy! Can American Jillee followers please help a Scot with explanation as to difference between Dawn dish soap and any other dish washing liquid?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Dawn is a grease cutter. If you soak anything in Dawn for 10 minutes, all the grease just disappears. It’s so good that environmental groups use Dawn to wash birds caught in oil spills. I couldn’t live without it…hope that helps.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Beth..there are other good dish liquids out there but Dawn is noted for cutting through grease and grime so much better.My sisters use it religiously on laundry stains,they love itI believe it’s one of the best for many different things.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve read in the past that Dawn and Fairy are pretty much the same thing. Don’t know it for a fact.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for that Pam because the cost of Dawn in UK is prohibitive! I’ve used Fairy washing up liquid for years to clean all sorts of things, (as did my mum) so I can now continue without feeling deprived!
They are!
Fairy liquid is very similar to Dawn – it will work really well!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use the swifter mop and attach a micro cleaning cloth. I’ll have to try the broom, sounds great!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can you use a rubber broom or does it have to be a “normal” broom? I have dogs, so I purchased a rubber broom a few years ago, and never went back to the “normal” brooms, but would love to give this a try in my tub.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Although I haven’t ever tried one, I think a rubber broom will work wonderfully!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve been using my string mop for years to scrub my tub and the tub surround. I’m going to give the broom a try to see if it’s as good.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I think the mop is better because it can hit the curves of the tub ! Used to be my method too until I got the spin scrubber
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Very good, For real I will now be showering with my BROOM!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.(I wish I could vote on my own comments.)
I love ideas outside the box in life, keep them coming.
I use my drill & attach a round brush to it! I also use this method to clean the grout in my kitchen floor then I reseal it!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have one of those, just haven’t tried it yet! It still involves getting down on the floor or edge of the tub and my body parts just can’t take it anymore. I like this broom idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.i use shampoo that i don’t like. i heard the cleaning people in motels use shampoo.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I do,too, Jill! I’m “differently- abled” and have limited mobility. It helps to sit in my shower chair while cleaning my tub/shower with my trusty drill with a 12″ bit extension and brushes. I also use it to clean my cabinet doors with Murphy’s Oil Soap.
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