There is nothing like a long, relaxing soak in a luxurious hot bath to ease away the stresses of the day-- that is, unless your dirty tub is among the things that you're stressed about. So make sure to have a clean tub every time.

And we all know that your kids love to soak and play in the tub! So now you have more reasons to keep your bathtub real clean and free from stains.

Bathtubs seem to become magnets for soap scum, mildew, and grime, as well as stubborn stains. All of us know that a dirty or blemished tub makes the whole bathroom feel grimy. Luckily, with just a few simple household ingredients and the following helpful steps, you can keep any tub sparkling clean:

Step 1: Ventilate Room
Ventilate the room by turning on any fans and opening any doors or windows.

Step 2: Wear Gloves
Put on rubber gloves to avoid direct contact to germs and to cleaning solution.

Step 3: Clean Drain
Take away any hair from the drain to avoid clog.

Step 4: Apply Cleaner
If your tub is porcelain or coated with enamel, apply a mildly abrasive bathtub or all-purpose cleaner to the tub and let it sit for a period of time, according to product directions. Scrub the tub with your brush, then rinse well.

Quick Tip: For a natural cleaning product, mix a teaspoon of liquid soap, a few drops of an antibacterial essential oil (such as eucalyptus, rosemary, tea tree, or peppermint), a cup of baking soda, and enough water to make a paste.

Step 5: Scrub & Rinse
If your tub is fiberglass or acrylic, use a sponge to apply a non abrasive cleaning product or one designed for fiberglass. Scrub gently, being careful not to scratch the tub, then rinse well.

Quick Tip:
If you damage the caulking along the tub while you are scrubbing, repair it as soon as you're done cleaning-- and before using the tub-- to prevent water damage.
Step 6 Remove grime Use your cleaning product and an old toothbrush to remove any hard-to-reach grime.

Step 7: Scrub Stains
For stubborn stains or rings on porcelain or enamel tubs, try scrubbing with baking soda on a damp sponge or a mildly abrasive cleaner.

Step 8: Clean Fixtures
Using a sponge or rag, clean the fixtures with an all-purpose cleaner.

Step 9: Rinse & Dry
Rinse off all remaining cleaner and dry the entire tub with a clean cloth. Now, after all that work, you can indulge yourself with a nice, hot bath.