How To Clean Baby’s Bathtub (Get Rid Of Soap Scum, Dirt, Poop, Mold & Bacteria!)

As a parent, keeping your baby safe and healthy is your top priority. But did you know that if you don’t clean your baby bathtub regularly, it could lead to dangerous bacteria buildup which puts your baby at risk?

Just imagine all that soap scum, grime, pee, poop, and add some moisture to that… Baby bath tub can quickly become a perfect place for mold and bacteria to grow inside it!

Bath time should be fun and enjoyable for the baby (and for parents too!) – not something that makes you worried about giving your baby skin irritation or itchy rash!

Regularly cleaning your baby’s bathtub is essential to ensure a safe, healthy environment for them to enjoy bath time. In this article, we’ll go over the best practices for cleaning and sanitizing your baby’s bathtub, so you can keep your little one safe and happy.

I will share my best tips for cleaning baby’s plastic bath tub without any harsh chemicals that could irritate baby’s sensitive skin.

This article is not a substitute for medical advice.

What Can I Use To Clean My Baby’s Bathtub? – Safety Tips

Of course there are tons of good bathroom cleaners that you can buy in the store, which are efficient at removing soap scum and mold and mildew in your shower or bathtub but none of them is suitable for baby bathtub!

These cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can stay on the plastic surface of baby tub, even if you rinse it carefully.

Besides, babies have really delicate and sensitive skin (mine have also eczema) so in general you need to be careful with all skincare products you use for them and also products that you use for cleaning all baby stuff.

Using your regular bathroom cleanser could only lead to skin or eyes irritation, rash and the odor could get into baby’s respiratory track… Sounds like something we all want to avoid, right?

That’s why I recommend using only homemade cleaning solutions when it’s time to scrub baby’s tub.

I’m pretty sure you have lots of things in your kitchen that are perfect for preparing natural disinfectant that will handle the dirt in your little one’s bathtub.

Here are the things you can use to prepare homemade cleaning solutions, recommended by cleaning expert: baking soda, white vinegar, salt, lemon.

These DIY solutions are easy to prepare, they can fight germs and bacteria, and they are WAY MORE gentle on baby’s skin.

Natural Cleaners – For Cleaning Baby Plastic Tub Without Nasty Chemicals

To clean your child’s tub without toxic chemicals (and irritants), you should use natural products.

These are the best natural cleaners and alternatives to store bought cleaning products:

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural cleanser that is perfect for cleaning baby’s bathtub. It is safe to use and helps to remove grime, soap scum, and dirt¹. Just sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda in the tub, scrub it with a sponge or brush and rinse thoroughly.

You can also made a baking soda paste – just mix it with warm water. Then smear it all over the tub and just leave it for a few minutes. use microfiber cloths to scrub any residue and wipe off the paste, and rinse it thoroughly.

What I like about this natural cleanser is that it doesn’t leave any smell!

White Vinegar

White vinegar is another effective and natural disinfectant². Simply mix equal parts of white vinegar and water to create a vinegar spray. Then spray the solution onto the tub. Let it sit for a few minutes and then scrub it with a sponge or brush and rinse.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is also a natural disinfectant and can be used to clean baby’s tub. To prepare the solution mix equal parts of lemon juice and water and use it to spray the tub. Leave it for a few minutes, scrub and rinse.

Salt & Lemon

Sprinkle salt around the baby tub, and then use half of the lemon to rub in the salt. I don’t recommend salt with big grains. Be gentle, otherwise the salt may scratch the tub’s plastic surface.

Why You Need To Clean Baby Bath Tub?

Cleaning your baby’s bath tub is essential for keeping them safe and healthy. When a bath tub is not properly sanitized, it can be a breeding ground for bacteria and other germs that can be harmful to your baby’s delicate skin.

After a few days you will see a soap residue on bath tub’s surface. If your little one was running around in the garden and came home all dirty from grass, sand and mud, all that dirt will say in the bath tub and will require thorough rinsing and cleaning.

If your infant pees or poops in the water, you will need to clean the bath tub right away!

If you don’t clean baby’s bath tub regularly, the dirt and moisture will be a perfect environment for mold and bacteria growth. YUCK, right? I’m sure you don’t want your little one to bathe in this…

The water itself can become contaminated with dirt and soap residue that can cause skin irritation and rashes. Taking the time to properly clean and sanitize your baby’s bath tub after each use can help ensure that your baby has a safe, comfortable and healthy bath time experience.

6 General Rules For Cleaning Baby Tub

• Rinse, wipe and dry the baby tub and toys after each bath.
• Give the bath tub and bath toys proper clean once a week.
• If your baby poops in the bathtub you need to clean it immediately.
• If you notice any weird smell or the bath tub looks off – clean it right away.
• If you use DIY bath products that are made from food ingredients, you need to clean the bath tub immediately.
• Don’t use harsh chemical – opt for gentle cleansers that are safe for baby’s sensitive skin

How Often Should I Clean My Baby Bathtub?

It is important to clean your baby’s bathtub thoroughly at least once a week in order to keep it free from bacteria and germs. Make sure to use safe cleaning products and rinse the tub thoroughly after cleaning.

Don’t forget about rinsing the tub after each bath time, to avoid soap scum and moldy residue (which after few days will require scrubbing off…!).

How To Clean Baby’s Bathtub Without Strong Chemicals – Step By Step Guide

With so many harsh chemical-based cleaning products on the market, it can be difficult to know how to clean baby bathtub without strong chemicals.

Luckily, there are a few easy steps you can take to ensure your baby’s bathtub is germ-free and safe.

Cleaning Baby Bath Tub After Each Use

1. Wipe & rinse

Start by wiping away any dirt, grime and residue with a damp cloth. Rinse the tub with warm water and then scrub it with an all-natural cleaning solution that is safe for use around babies. This can include a mixture of warm water, baking soda, and a few drops of essential oil for extra cleaning power.

2. Scrub

Next, use a soft, non-abrasive cloth or sponge to scrub the tub. You should always avoid using any harsh scrubbing tools, as these can damage the surface of the tub and cause skin irritation for your baby.

3. Rinse again

When you are done scrubbing, rinse the tub with warm water and make sure to remove all the suds.

4. Spray it with natural disinfectant

It is also a good idea to use a natural disinfectant each time you clean the tub. You can make your own by mixing two cups of water with a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle.

Spray the solution onto the tub and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it away. This will help kill any germs that are lurking on the surface.

5. Dry it properly

Finally, do not forget to dry the tub after each bath. This will help to prevent the build-up of mildew and bacteria. You can use a towel to dry the surface, or use a squeegee to get any excess moisture out.

Proper Way To Clean Baby Tub Once Per Week

Here is a step by step guide on how to clean a baby bathtub in a proper way without any harsh chemicals:

1. Place your baby’s tub in your main tub, filled with hot water.

2. Add 2-3 cups of white vinegar into baby bathtub.

Vinegar is a natural and safest disinfectant. This non-toxic solution can be used to clean baby’s stuff – it’s the best safe alternative to harsh and toxic chemicals.

3. Soak for 5-10 minutes.

4. Use a microfiber cleaning cloth to wipe off the baby’s tub surface.

It’s best to use cloth that has two sides (wet and dry). For scrubbing any soap scum and dirt use the wet side.

Clean carefully the interior and exterior of the tub, its floor and all edges. Make sure to clean all nooks and crannies where the grime and soap residue can buildup.

5. Rinse the bathtub thoroughly.

6. Wipe it dry with a dry microfiber cloth.

Make sure that all grooves and edges are completely dried. You can also leave it to air dry after polishing it with a cloth. Before storing it, check for any leftover moisture.

This way you can rest assure that your baby’s tub has dried thoroughly and you can now store it without worrying about mold (if you store it away when it’s still wet mold can start to grow in it).

7. If you’re using bathtub stand make sure to clean it separately.

You can use the vinegar solution and cleaning cloth for the stand as well.

Tips For Cleaning Baby Bath Toys

Cleaning baby bath toy on a regular basis is very important, because mold can easy grow inside them. And once mold is in there, it’s hard to get rid of it, and you may need to throw away your little one’s favorite bath time toy.

First of all, for bath time it’s best to choose toys that do not have ANY HOLES – otherwise water can easily get inside and it’s the perfect place for mold to grow inside.

If your baby’s toys do have holes, you may want to block it with a waterproof silicone. After each bath make sure to squeeze water out of the toys and let them drain (you can use a bottle drying rack for that).

Just like with the bathtub, make sure to give your baby’s bath toys a thorough cleaning once per week.

1. Pre-Wash

Before you start the cleaning process, rinse off toys with warm water to remove any dirt.

2. Soak

Fill the bucket with warm water and add a few drops of mild dish soap. Place the toys in the bucket and let them soak for a few minutes.

3. Scrub

Take the soft bristle brush and gently scrub the toys. Make sure to scrub the crevices and all hard to reach nooks and crannies.

4. Rinse

Once you have scrubbed the toys, drain the bucket and rinse the toys with warm water.

5. Dry

Take a clean cloth and dry each toy thoroughly. Leave them on a drying rack and allow the to air overnight.

6. Store

Store the toys in a dry place and make sure to air them out every few days.

Warning: Keep in mind that not cleaning baby bath toys or using harsh chemicals can be dangerous for your baby. To prevent mold, it is important to regularly clean and dry the toys.

How Do You Bleach A Baby Bathtub?

Although some sources recommend bleaching baby bath tub to fully disinfect it. I personally don’t think it’s a safe option. There are better and safer solutions, for example making your own baking soda paste that works as a natural disinfectant.

The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice or medical care. Remember: safety first! Consult your doctor/pediatrician in case of any doubts. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/cleaning-with-vinegar

https://www.livescience.com/why-baking-soda-vinegar-clean.html

Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.

If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂