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No matter what kind of bathroom bathtub you have at home, keeping it clean is an important part of its regular maintenance. Luckily enough, there are a lot of homemade cleaning solutions that can help you out. If you do a quick search on homemade bathtub cleaning hacks, you will encounter a lot of articles that use baking soda. But is it really an effective cleaner for your bathtub?

Baking soda as a cleaner

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a chemical compound that not only helps you bake goods but also doubles as a cleaner. Baking soda is also effective in creating a weak alkali that helps get rid of strong smells.

Baking soda is incredibly cheap so you do not have to worry about using it for cleaning your bathtub as well. It is also non-toxic so it is safe to use on any kind of surface, unlike chemical cleaners that can contain harsh chemicals that can do more damage in the long run.

How it works

Baking soda will react with the grease in the stains. The reaction triggers the formation of glycerol, a common cleaning agent that can also be found in soaps.

Exceptions when it comes to using baking soda as a cleaner

Of course, all things have their exceptions. Baking soda also has its limitations. These are some of the limitations that you should know before you use baking soda as a cleaner.

• Some bathtub material does not go well with baking soda. Baking soda usually leaves a cleaning smudge after. Because of this, it is not recommended if your bathtub is made out of stone resin or wood. The smudge will be very visible in these materials. Materials like fiberglass, porcelain, acrylic, ceramic, cast iron, cultured marble, and copper are baking soda friendly.
• Baking soda may be versatile but its effects are mild. Cleaning with baking soda is most effective for cleaning mildew and mild scum build-up. If you are dealing with larger dirt problems, you will need a different and stronger cleaner.
• Cleaning your bathtub with baking soda is labor-intensive. You will have to do a lot of hard scrubbing to deal with the stains.
• Baking soda is not recommended for bathtubs with enamel finish. Regular cleaning with baking soda can damage and corrode the finish in time.

How to use baking soda to clean your bathtub

Sprinkle baking soda on the dirty spots of your bathtub. Then, add warm water to these spots. You will notice that this will cause bubbles to appear. Wait for two to three minutes before you start scrubbing the surface. You will find that the stains will disappear and your bathtub will be looking as if it is brand new after rinsing the baking soda off the surface.

But if you find that some stains are stubborn no matter how much you try to scrub them, all you have to do is use a cleaning combo. For baking soda, you can mix it with ammonia or vinegar. Do the same process described above and the stubborn stains should be dealt with by then.

You can use also baking soda to clean the drain of your bathtub. Dump a one-half cup of baking soda down the drain and dump an equal amount of vinegar.

In many households, decorating the bathroom is the last option. Often, this translates to a dingy looking stuffy room that has no life to it. One aspect that can completely transform a bathroom is choosing a unique and practical bathroom vanity. Unfortunately, many people have no idea how to go about choosing a bathroom sink vanity for their homes. Below are five steps on how to choose a bathroom vanity that will work for you

• Functionality Of The Bathroom Sink Vanity

The main thing to consider when choosing a bathroom vanity is the intended use. Most people switch out their vanities because they realize they need two sinks instead of one or need more counter space. Before investing in one, ask yourself the intended purpose and get accurate bathroom vanity cabinet dimensions.

• The Bathroom Sink Vanity Plumbing

One of the critical factors that determine whether you will go home with that sink vanity you have fallen in love with is the plumbing system. Ideally, there are two kinds of plumbing placement; the floor and the wall mount plumbing placement. With a floor mount plumbing system, you have the freedom to choose any plumbing you want. With a wall vanity, keeping the location of the plumbing hooks in mind is vital. Switching out the plumbing system is time-consuming and costs money, it’s essential to countercheck your specific needs.

• Bathroom Sink Vanity Size

Another vital aspect to consider is the size of the vanity. Typically, many people desire grandiose breathtaking vanities in their bathroom. As expected, this is an impractical way of choosing one as you have no idea if it will fit in your bathroom. Do a test run with boxes and befriend your tape measure and look at the various bathroom vanity sizes chart to get a sense of how big a vanity you need to purchase. Ensure that your choice gives you enough room to move around, and it doesn’t interrupt the flow of traffic in the bathroom.

• Amount Of Bathroom Sink Vanity Storage

Unless you are an extreme minimalist, there is usually a need for more storage in the bathroom.  Often, many people gravitate to three-column enclosed bathroom vanity to give them enough bathroom storage to accommodate the plumbing and give them dual stowage.  However, with smaller bathrooms, this is impractical. Be realistic when choosing and decide whether you need one column, two columns, or three-column vanity. Additionally, determine whether you need to invest in a narrower vanity to ensure your bathroom does not feel cramped.  

• Bathroom Sink Vanity Material

Bathrooms tend to be very humid places. For these reasons, it’s essential to choose a material that can withstand all the water damage and still look good. Unfortunately, most material that appears good to the eyes doesn’t tend to make excellent vanity material as they swell and splinter. To avoids this, choose waterproof material that doesn’t streak when wet like laminate, wood veneers, and Thermofoil for high-quality bathroom vanities.

Conclusion

As seen above, you have to take your specific needs into account when choosing a bathroom vanity. To save yourself the headache of having to replace a bathroom sink vanity with another one, ensure that your measurements are accurate. Overall, as your taste and preference take key center stage, choose designs and colors that entice you for a great look that will serve you for a long time.