The 8 Best Bathtub Cleaners of 2023

Best Overall

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Scrubber Sponge

4.8

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These magical sponges make cleaning the bathroom incredibly quick and efficient—and who doesn’t love that? The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Scrubber Sponges are larger than the beloved Magic Erasers, so you can cover more surface area (and clean your tub more quickly). Plus, they’re infused with foaming cleansers to help remove soap scum, stains, and other dirt and grime from the walls of your tub.

With these sponges, you don’t have to deal with any messy spray or liquid. To activate, you simply add water and get to work. The sponge has a contoured shape that makes it easier to hold than a traditional sponge, and it’s textured so it can erase those really tough spots, like hard water stains. It also has a nice fresh scent that helps make the entire bathroom feel just as clean as it looks. A nice bonus: You can use the sponge on just about any surface in the bathroom, so it’s versatile, too. 

There is one downside worth knowing about: Like the standard Magic Eraser, the bath scrubber sponge does flake apart as you use it. In addition, Katie Berry, The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board member, notes that the sponge "(or any melamine sponge) can scratch acrylic tubs if you aren't gentle" when using it. However, you'll still get multiple uses from each sponge—especially if you start by using the corner and then work your way down the sponge once it starts to thin.

Price at time of publish: $14

_{Type: Sponge | Amount: 2 | Scent: Meadows and rain}

Best for Hard Water

Bio-Clean Hard Water Stain Remover

4

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If you have hard water—water that contains a high amount of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium—you know it can leave behind buildup and tough stains. To save yourself some elbow grease, a tough cleaner like Bio-Clean is a must for cleaning hard water stains. This liquid formula is made specifically for hard water and the problems that come along with it, like rust, mildew, and mold. It even works on long-standing stains, so if you’ve ignored your bathtub in the past, now is the time to eradicate those stains.

A little bit goes a long way, so even though the cleaner is relatively pricey, it offers a good value in the end. What’s more, you can use the formula beyond your bathtub, too. Polish brass, remove gummy sticker residue, clean burnt-on grime from glass stove tops, and even scrub down stained pool walls with this highly versatile cleaner. 

In case it doesn’t leave your surfaces looking brand new, the manufacturer offers a 100 percent money-back guarantee.

Price at time of publish: $17

_{Type: Liquid | Amount: 20.3 ounces | Scent: Unscented}

Best with No Scrubbing

The Bucko Soap Scum and Grime Remover

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If you’re looking for a quick solution for a dirty bathtub, the Bucko Soap and Scum Grime Remover is about to be your new best friend—particularly if you’re regularly bathing kids or pets. The formula, which has a fresh lemon water scent, dissolves light soap scum and dirt without the need for scrubbing. (That means less work for you.) Just spray it on, let it sit a few minutes, then wipe the gunk away. For tougher jobs, you can let the formula sit for longer and then use a brush to tackle what you need to. 

Though it lacks a targeted spray top for precision, we love the versatility of this cleaner. You can use it to clean your outdoor furniture, kitchen, cars, and more—just don’t use it on wood, painted surfaces, natural marble, stone, brass, or colored grout.

Price at time of publish: $19

_{Type: Liquid | Amount: 32 ounces | Scent: Lemon water}

Best for Mold and Mildew

RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover

4.5

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Mold infestations not only look unsightly, they can also pose a major health issue if left untreated. If you’re experiencing mold growth in your tub, it’s vital to get a cleaner that can eradicate the problem quickly and effectively. That’s exactly what you’ll get with the RMR-86 Instant Mold Stain & Mildew Stain Remover. The bleach-based formula works on most surfaces (grout, tile, fiberglass, and wood) and removes stains, including tough mildew and mold coverage, in 15 seconds flat. You don’t even have to scrub it.

There’s a sacrifice to be made for this efficiency—and that's the smell. Though unscented, the formula itself has an incredibly powerful bleach-type aroma. For safety, wear a mask while using this product. And you may even want to consider planning your cleaning for a day when you can open the windows to air things out. 

Price at time of publish: $17

_{Type: Spray | Amount: 32 ounces | Scent: Unscented}

Best Scent

Method Bathroom Cleaner Tub + Tile Eucalyptus Mint Spray

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This cleaner from Method has just about everything going for it. Though it’s a plant-derived formula, it’s triclosan- and paraben-free, plus biodegradable and vegan. The spray effectively tackles light layers of soap scum and grime without too much rubbing and scrubbing. It also has a vertical spray nozzle, so you can precisely target areas of concern, including hard-to-reach corners and around knobs and dials. What’s more, the spray has a very fresh (and not at all overpowering) eucalyptus-mint scent that will leave your bathroom smelling ultra-clean. 

However, this cleaner isn’t great for tough mold and mildew stains, because it doesn’t adequately foam and doesn’t contain harsh ingredients like bleach. For a long-standing stain or other issue, you may need to use something just a bit tougher.

Price at time of publish: $23

_{Type: Spray | Amount: 28 ounces | Scent: Eucalyptus mint}

Best for Soap Scum

CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner Enhanced Formula

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CLR is the go-to brand for areas that are prone to soap scum, rust, and hard water spots (like the seams in your bathtub and grout lines between floor and wall tile). This CLR spray is easy to use, too: Just spray it on any area where these tough stains and spots have accumulated—ceramic tile, shower doors, sinks, bathtubs, white grout and caulk, toilet bowls, and more—and then wipe clean. You can even use it in your kitchen. (Just don’t use it on vinyl, marble, mirrors, plastic laminates, wood, fabrics, painted surfaces, colored grout, or wall coverings.)

Despite its efficacy, the biodegradable formula doesn’t contain any bleach or ammonia, and it meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Product standards. That's why it’s an excellent choice for use in kids' bathrooms. Fair warning for tough stains: You may need to use another product, like a Magic Eraser, in tandem to remove set stains and spots.

Price at time of publish: $4

_{Type: Spray | Amount: 28 ounces | Scent: Eucalyptus mint}

Best Eco-Friendly

Puracy Organic Natural Multi-Surface Cleaner

4.2

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The most powerful cleaners may eliminate soap scum and grime, but they’re also typically packed with harsh chemicals. This cleaner from Puracy is a good option for anyone who's concerned about the ingredients in their everyday cleaning products, because it’s made from naturally derived ingredients, but it still has impressive cleaning prowess and smells incredibly fresh. 

This cleaner will tackle your tub stains, but it can also be used around the house. It’s a great overall cleaner for everything from hardwood floors in your living room to the countertops in your kitchen. Don’t expect it to work miracles on tough hard water stains, though. While Puracy removed surface dirt, shampoo, and conditioner residue, water spots and rust remained on our product tester’s shower doors, and it did little to clean dirty grout.

Price at time of publish: $6

_{Type: Spray | Amount: 25 ounces | Scent: Organic lemongrass}