How do you get scum out of bathtub that is slightly clogged? What cleaner do you use?

Question

The drain is slightly clogged and the water slowly drains but it still does. I have been using Scrubbing Bubbles all day and haven't been able to get it off. It is my son's college apartment and I can't stand it anymore. The drain needs to be snaked but I want to get the scum off first. Don't give me the business about getting my son to do it. That won't happen.

I know you shouldn't mix products but I don't know what other product you can use with Scrubbing Bubbles safely.

My back is killing me. I tried the 800 numbers for advice but they are not working. Also, I tried the websites and the bottle info but that is no good. There is nothing on them that says anything about the mixing of products.

Help.

Answer 1

Off campus apartments usually have fiberglass tubs and the best cleaner fort the build up is Kablam or Borax (make a paste and let it set then scrub and rinse). The drain probably is just clogged with hair and there is this nifty device that fixes it in a jiffy it is called a Zip It , you insert in in any open drain and pull it out it drags out the ick and tada the drain runs clear - no fumes just the gunk on the stick that you remove with a paper towel and toss. It is reusable so well worth the $5 at any Home Depot or Lowes. Scrubbing Bubbles only works on light soil and you are way beyond that, you could try Comet as well again let it sit as a paste to do the heavy work for you. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Are you sure it's really just soap scum? If you're sure, Mr. Bubble is a powdered bubble bath product available at the grocery store that gets rid of soap scum while you bathe. Because of that, it should be compatible with what you already have in the tub and with standing water. I've had good luck with Liquid Plumr Foaming Drain Snake for clog removal, but you'll see at the link below that they have a new product, Liquid Plumr Power Jet (that I've not tried) that also might be helpful. Both are described below if you feel like you also want to tackle the clog. Good luck. You're a great Mom.

Answer 3

Put on gloves and get something to reach into the drain with. Try to remove any hair or lint that may be on the top of the drain or clinging to it. By removing that stuff you may get the water to drain through enough to use another product without worry. The Works tile and tub cleaner is a good strong product that should do the job with little to no scrubbing. (It is labeled with green, the toilet cleaner is blue) Hope this helps. (I use a flathead screwdriver to carefully get hair out of drain. A pair of tweezers would work but I's throw them away after (lol).

Answer 4

There is the product Oxy clean and really does work, but there is also another product called The Works. this works just as good and is cheaper. After you put either of these in to the tub 9near and down the drain) run alittle bit of water to let it flow through. wait for a few minutes then scrub the tub out with hot water with laundry/dish soap. Rinse real good with hot water.

Answer 5

First of all, I would wait until you get the line clear...otherwise all of your effort may be wasted. Second of all, the Mr. Clean eraser works on everything...but it does not sanitize...so be sure to do that once you have the scum lifted.
You can also make a paste of powder laundry detergent, apply it let it almost dry then scrub right off. If the tub is metal or even porcelain finish...you could try oven cleaner.
Good Luck!!!
and yes your right, your son should do it!

Answer 6

Too get scum off of porcelain is quite easy.. Go to Lowe's hardware or equivalent and pickup a commercial produced pumice stone. It is about 4 or 5 inches in length. It has a square shape like a brick. It is lite grey in color and about $3 or $4 dollars. As you scrub the unwanted scum off the surface be generous with a wet rag. Also dip the stone in a plastic cup of water. The stone dissolves and falls apart as you scrub the unwanted residue sticking to the porcelain. Do not touch fixtures or glass with the stone. It will scratch them permanently....Happy Scrubbing.

Answer 7

The problem will be a very old hair ball stuck on the drain stop. You must pull the drain stop out or use a combination of plungers to remove the clog. Thank goodness for professionals.

Answer 8

use some comet and a scrubbing pad to clean the tub and some liquid plumber or drain-o to unclug the drain

Answer 9

Try a plunger to unclog the drain. I would do this before trying to clean the tub. I use borax sprinkled on a wet cloth to clean. Good luck.

Answer 10

Try using bleach first,then a gentler cleaner,like soft scrub