Those dingy bathtub stain lines make the whole bathroom look dirty even after you scrub everything else. This quick tub strip whitener goes straight after the stained strips with a simple two-ingredient mix and a little elbow grease. It is a small fix, but it makes a tired tub look far less embarrassing (which is handy when company ignores every other room and heads straight for the bathroom).
Making a small batch yourself can cost noticeably less than buying a specialty tub stain remover. Using current retail pricing, 1/2 cup of turpentine from a $9.64 quart works out to about $1.21, and 2 tablespoons of salt add only a few cents, so this batch lands around $1.25 total before tax. You also control exactly what goes in it, which matters when you want a no-frills spot treatment instead of a perfumed cleaner with extra additives you do not need.
You only need 2 materials for this whitener, plus rubber gloves and a small bowl or container for mixing. The original method makes 1 small batch, enough to apply directly to stained tub strips and rub thoroughly before rinsing well.
- 🧰 Materials You'll Need
- 🔧 Tools & Equipment
- 🛠️ How to Whiten Bathtub Stain Strips
- 💡 Tips for Best Results
- 🛡️ Safety Information
- 📦 Storage
- 💸 Estimated Cost
- 🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Bathroom Tub Stained Strip Whitener
- 📌 Love this Bathroom Tub Stained Strip Whitener? Pin it!
- 🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Bathroom Tub Stained Strip Whitener
Materials You’ll Need
- 1/2 cup turpentine
- 2 tablespoons salt
Tools & Equipment
- Rubber gloves
- Small bowl or mixing container
How to Whiten Bathtub Stain Strips
- Mix the turpentine and salt together in a small bowl or container.
- Put on rubber gloves before handling the mixture.
- Apply the mixture to the stained strips in the bathtub.
- Rub the stained areas thoroughly.
- Rinse well.
If you need another homemade option for the rest of the tub, take a look at Sink or Tub Whitener or Bathtub Cleaner.
Tips for Best Results
- Use this as a targeted treatment on stained tub strips rather than a whole-tub cleaner.
- Rub thoroughly so the salt can help work over the stained area.
- Rinse completely so no residue remains on the tub surface.
- Mix only what you need for the job instead of making a large batch.
Safety Information
Wear rubber gloves while applying this mixture, just as the original directions specify. Turpentine can affect you through skin contact, eye contact, inhalation, or swallowing, so keep the area well ventilated, avoid splashing, and rinse the tub thoroughly after use. For a straightforward hazard reference, see the CDC NIOSH pocket guide for turpentine.
- Keep this mixture away from children and pets.
- Do not use near flames, pilot lights, or other ignition sources.
- Avoid mixing it with other cleaning products.
- If the mixture gets on your skin, wash promptly with soap and water.
- Test in a small, less noticeable area first if you are unsure how your tub finish will respond.
Storage
This whitener works best mixed fresh right before use. If you have a little left over, keep it in a tightly closed, clearly labeled container and store it out of reach of children, pets, heat, and open flame. Do not store it in a food container.
Estimated Cost
This small batch costs about $1.25 based on current pricing for quart-size turpentine and basic table salt. Actual cost will vary by brand, package size, and where you shop.
🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- Klean-Strip Turpentine Natural Thinner, 1 Quart at Walmart
- Table salt at Walmart
- Rubber gloves at Walmart
- Fiberglass Tub Floor Cleaner
Frequently Asked Questions about Bathroom Tub Stained Strip Whitener
This mix works best as a spot treatment for stained strips. The original directions focus on applying it directly to the stained areas, rubbing thoroughly, and rinsing well rather than coating the entire tub.
Salt gives the mixture a little grit, which helps when you rub the stained strips thoroughly. It is there to help with the scrubbing action, not to replace the rubbing step.
Yes. The directions specifically say to wear rubber gloves, and that is a smart move. Turpentine should not sit on your skin while you work.
You can, but this is the kind of mix that makes more sense in a small fresh batch. If you do keep leftovers, store them tightly covered, clearly labeled, and well away from heat, flame, children, and pets.
Tub finishes vary, so test it in a small hidden spot first if you are not sure. That quick check can save you from creating a much bigger problem than a stain line.
The original method does not call for a waiting period. Mix it, apply it while wearing gloves, rub thoroughly, and rinse well.
No. Stick with the simple two-ingredient formula and use it by itself. Mixing cleaning products or solvents is never a good place to get creative.
Rinse the area well, check the result, and repeat the treatment if needed. Stubborn buildup may need a second pass and thorough rubbing.
No. This is a targeted whitener for stained strips. You will still want your usual tub cleaner for routine soap scum and general bathroom cleaning.
📌 Love this Bathroom Tub Stained Strip Whitener? Pin it!
Did you try this tub-strip fix, or did you tweak it for a stubborn stain? Tell us what worked in your bathroom.
🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Bathroom Tub Stained Strip Whitener
Bathroom Tub Stained Strip Whitener
Equipment
Materials
- ½ cup turpentine
- 2 tablespoons salt
Instructions
- Mix the turpentine and salt together in a small bowl or container.
- Put on rubber gloves before handling the mixture.
- Apply the mixture to the stained strips in the bathtub.
- Rub the stained areas thoroughly.
- Rinse well.
- Wear rubber gloves while using this mixture.
- Use in a well-ventilated area.
- Keep away from children, pets, heat, sparks, and open flame.
- Do not mix with other cleaning products.
- Estimated cost reflects consumable materials only and will vary by brand and store pricing.
