Asked on Jun 12, 2015

How to clean fiberglass tub/shower enclosure

Eileen Weklar
by Eileen Weklar
I just purchased a home and need some advice on how to remove water stains, dirty feet stains and other build up on tub area. I prefer something not too toxic to preserve finish.
  27 answers
  • Linda Linda on Jun 12, 2015
    There are a couple of commercial cleaning products you could try; One is "Awesome Cleaner." It is sold for $1 at Dollar Tree stores. I have found that it removes black streaks from boats and outdoor aluminum better than cleaners costing up to $25. Just get a good scrub brush, some Awesome and have at it. Be sure to rinse thoroughly when finished. Another great product for cleaning fiberglass showers is the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bathroom product. I hope one of these works for you!
  • Dee Dee on Jun 12, 2015
    I clean homes for a living, and I swear by this: Vinegar & Dawn. Heat 1 cup of vinegar in the microwave ( a great time to clean your microwave). Add 1 cup of ORIGINAL blue Dawn dish soap, stirring gently to mix. When cool enough, funnel into a spray bottle. Run the hot water in the shower for a few minutes. Spray with vin/Dawn mixture liberally. After allowing to set for approx. 10 min, clean with Mr. Clean eraser or a 'scrubby' sponge or green pad. Repeat if necessary. No harmful chemicals, and I swear it works better than any commercial product.
  • Gerald Mccarty Gerald Mccarty on Jun 12, 2015
    I like a product call Krud Kutter as it can remove stains, mildew and is biodegradable and very low VOC, so I don't have to wear any safety equipment. I even found a version of this product to clean my deck that had not been cleaned in 15 years and now it looks brand new.
    • See 2 previous
    • Elaine Simmons Elaine Simmons on Jun 12, 2015
      @Stella Plouvier Thank you, Stella!
  • Shari Shari on Jun 12, 2015
    Like Linda, I also use the Mr. Clean magic eraser sponges on my tubs and tile...and for lots of other things, as well. They easily clean off soap scum and dirt. I have even been successful at removing those orangey-brown iron stains from well water with magic erasers when nothing else seemed to work, not even bleach. I tried the vinegar/Dawn mixture Dee mentioned one time--one time and never again! The *recipe* I used only called for either 1 or 2 tablespoons of Dawn and I found it waaaay too soapy and it required rinsing, rinsing and more rinsing, so I can't even imagine how soapy it would be with 1 whole cup of Dawn. The magic eraser requires little to no rinsing and seems to be non-abrasive. Enjoy your new home!
    • B. Enne B. Enne on Dec 30, 2015
      @Shari I scratched my FG tub with a Magic Eraser so be careful and always wash well first.
  • Barb Thomas Barb Thomas on Jun 12, 2015
    Holloway House Wax Remover -- I used to use this on fiberglass shower floors when I cleaned houses for fun and profit, since the stains are actually imbedded skin oils and dirt (yukky to think about). It was designed, of course, for stripping wax from lino floors...and that really dates me, doesn't it?
  • Mila S Mila S on Jun 12, 2015
    One thing I discovered is to use used fabric softener sheets to remove soap scum. I just rub the walls etc. when I am taking a shower.
  • Kitty Kitty on Jun 12, 2015
    Wd40
  • TateTwo TateTwo on Jun 12, 2015
    When we moved out of our apartment, we cleaned the shower with soft scrub and a car buffer. No kidding. It saved a lot of scrubbing
  • Casey Casey on Jun 13, 2015
    I use dawn dish soap. It removes body oils and soap scum. Zep also makes a cleaner that works well you can get at Home Depot
  • Brenda Brenda on Jun 13, 2015
    When we had our tub refinished, I couldn't use harsh cleaners, plus they tended to make me sick. On Pinterest, through One Good Thing by Jillee, I think, I found a recipe for using 2 cup vinegar and 2 cup dish soap ( they used blue Dawn) to clean it. I use LOC, which is a concentrated organic soap, so I use 2 cup vinegar, 2 cup water and about 1/8 cup soap. Heat up the vinegar, mix in the water and soap, use a brush to put it on the walls and floor, wait about 10 minutes, then wash off with a wet rag. really works well, cleaned ground in dirt and hard water spots and soap scum. I've been using this for years now.
  • Ann Ann on Jun 13, 2015
    I had great luck cleaning the bottom of a tub in a rental property by using a Magic Eraser. The tub was horrible and required a lot of elbow grease, but it came clean!
  • Pathann Pathann on Jun 13, 2015
    baking soda or powdered borax on a damp sponge.....will not scratch or hurt the finish....be careful with acidic vinegar or bleach, or some bath cleaners that say not to use on fiberglass. It you are sure that is what it is. We built our house, has an acrylic tub/shower in one bath - fiberglass shower in the other. Some commercial cleaners, or daily cleaners, are not recommended to use on both. I always start with the least abrasive - baking soda or borax -
  • Lorna Stone Lorna Stone on Jun 13, 2015
    BEST AND EASIEST WAY TO MAINTAIN A FIBERGLASS /ACRYLIC BATH TUB IS A PRODUCT CALLED GEL-GLOSS. I GOT MINE AT HOME DEPOT. WORD OF CAUTION - DO NOT PUT IT ON THE FLOOR OF THE TUB AS IT WILL BE SLIPPERY
  • I am going to try the dawn... I have been using a soap scum cleaner that does not work so well. and it takes my breath away.
  • Swan Road Designs Swan Road Designs on Jun 13, 2015
    We had a similar problem and solved it surprisingly quickly and easily using a commercial product I bought at Sam's Club. It is a liquid called "ProForce Bathroom & Tile Cleaner with Bleach." I haven't found anything it won't take care of. We cleaned a fiberglass shower enclosure with it and, since then, have followed up using Clean Shower after each use. As a precaution, once per month, I clean the shower with Kaboom spray shower cleaner. The whole thing looks like brand new and it's over 20 years old. The only down side I've found to ProForce is that our Sam's has stopped carrying the stuff in their store, which means I have to order it from them online and pay shipping. However, for as well and as easily as it cleans, that's worth paying. I will NEVER be without the stuff, especially since I've discovered how well it cleans other things. Algae, mold and mildew absolutely HATE this stuff. One cautionary note, though, if you do get this and use it, it WILL remove the color from any cloth or clothing it gets on. The label says "with bleach" and it means it!
    • See 1 previous
    • Swan Road Designs Swan Road Designs on Jun 13, 2015
      @Deborah Austin Thank you and I am aware of all that the report states and, as with all caustic or potentially caustic cleaning products, I am ultra careful. As I mentioned, it's very, very strong. That's one of the reasons it is so effective. A little goes a long way and the cleaning effects last much longer than most off-the-shelf varieties.
  • Kaye Watkins Kaye Watkins on Jun 13, 2015
    CLR or white vinegar... it' not too hard
  • Sheri Hepworth Sheri Hepworth on Jun 14, 2015
    Baking soda. I'm a housekeeper and this works on fiberglass tubs I clean.
  • Kim310260 Kim310260 on Jun 14, 2015
    Equal parts Dawn and white vinegar. I use probably 6 oz of each. Pour it in the tub, don't forget to use the stopper. Generally let it sit for and hour or so then rinse with hot water. Use it on the walls as well (use spray bottle) it is amazing!
  • Mar834221 Mar834221 on Jun 14, 2015
    I found the quickest easiest way - 2 things work together and are non-toxic and non-fumes. Spray the shower with 'Always' from the dollar store and let it set for a few minutes, then use a 'magic eraser' and all the soap buildup film immediately disappears. Rinse and enjoy the shine!
  • PJ Nies PJ Nies on Jun 14, 2015
    Used dryer sheets! Gets hard water stains and built up dirt off in a snap!
  • Sally Sally on Jul 07, 2015
    Vinegar and Baking Soda..works great, even for ring around the toilet bowl...try it.
  • Wet & Forget Wet & Forget on Jul 07, 2015
    If you don't prefer the smell of vinegar or bleach, we would suggest giving our Wet & Forget Weekly Shower cleaner a try. It doesn't require any scrubbing or wiping. It cleans and prevents the build-up of soap scum, grime, oils, mold and mildew stains. We have tons of reviews on Amazon. Hope this helps!
    • See 1 previous
    • Wet & Forget Wet & Forget on Jul 07, 2015
      @Shari we're happy you're a fan of our products! As far as locating them, we recently just entered most Home Depot locations. We are also located on Walmart.com and HomeDepot.com (they typically provide a ship to store option). We have a store locator on our website that puts together all of your closest retailers. It's definitely a long process getting into big chain retail stores but we're making progress!
  • Biancawebb Biancawebb on Aug 06, 2015
    Magic eraser
  • Felicia Eidt Felicia Eidt on Jul 11, 2016
    Sally, I was wondering is that white or apple cider vinegar
  • Linda Linda on Jul 24, 2016
    Baking soda, castile soap (liquid) and lemon essential oil. ..make a paste of 1st 2 and add the oil to your degree of smell
  • Lisa Lane Lisa Lane on Feb 06, 2019

    anything combined with magic eraser and clean it often. I rinse with a Rinseroo and it makes the whole shower cleaning thing a breeze!