Fractional Marketing Manager at Dalal Sabra - French Canadian Voice Actress
Answered 8 months ago
As someone who suffers from advanced endometriosis and the fatigue that comes with this condition, I've found the best way to clean the bathtub is to fill it with the hottest water possible, add a good amount of cleanser and leave this to soak. I usually use washing up liquid mixed with white vinegar or just regular bathroom cleaner, then leave it to soak for about an hour. The hot water and cleanser break down most of the grime and limescale, so afterwards, I just drain it, rinse with the shower attachment, and give any stubborn spots a quick scrub with a long-handled brush if needed. Prevention definitely also helps keep things manageable, so one thing I avoid completely now are bath bombs. As lovely as they are I don't find them particularly relaxing as so many leave stains that require extensive scrubbing to remove, so I just don't use them anymore to save myself the hassle.
As someone who understands the challenges of fatigue and limited mobility, I swear by using a long-handled scrub brush paired with a non-toxic cleaning solution like baking soda and vinegar. This combination works wonders without requiring much scrubbing. I mix the baking soda with a little water to create a paste and apply it to the tub, then spray vinegar over it. Letting it sit for 15-20 minutes means you don't have to scrub hard—just a quick wipe with the brush. For a time-saving routine, I clean the tub once a week in small increments, doing a little bit each day. I also use a shower cleaner with a built-in squeegee to quickly wipe down the walls after each shower, preventing buildup. These low-effort methods help me keep the bathroom clean without overexerting myself.
This is right up my alley. My mother has RA, Lupus, and she beat Stage 4 Breast Cancer. I've seen this first-hand. Some pro-tips: Let the cleaning agent soak and do what it needs to do. Time is on our side with these things. Also, white vinegar for everything! If you DIY equal parts water and white vinegar, it makes an effective cleaner that is healthier and easier on the lungs. As far as product goes, I LOVE the OXO good grip extendable tub and tile scrubber. It goes up to 42 inches and makes getting those odd spots a breeze. It can be bought on Amazon for less than $20. Let me know if this helps or you'd like more tips :)
My top recommendation here would be to mix a cleaning solution yourself at home if possible, or use something like Scrubbing Bubbles where it's a solution you can simply apply and then allow to sit. If you are going to make your own, a 1:1 solution of dish soap and white vinegar tends to be my go-to. I think the need to bend over the tub and scrub is what many people find exhausting about this process, and for this I would recommend grabbing a telescoping tub cleaner, which can easily be found at your local grocery store or online. These allow you to clean a bathtub without bending over, which can be a game changer.
Here's a list of the best and easiest bathhub cleaning hacks for people with chronic illness: 1. The best product I can suggest using is a motorized spinning scrubber. It comes with an adjustable length handle and various heads for getting different jobs done especially, the areas where it is harder to reach and bending is required. 2. A steam mop or cleaner can also help with cleaning the tub. This product is just like motorized spinning scrubber. It is long and comes with various heads. The only problem is that it is not electric. 3. Another product or tool you can try using is long handles brooms or brushes with hard bristles. These are really cheap and easy to get. The only problem is you have to manually scrub the tub which can put some pressure on your body. 3. If you have difficulty standing up or have limited mobility issues, you can get a shower stool to sit on and clean the bathtub.