You can also usually find all kinds of essential oils at health food stores.

You can buy tea tree oil at almost any store that has a pharmaceutical area. It will either be with the first aid supplies or near the vitamins. Good luck! I bought mine at Walmart.

Sorry for all the errors. Typing and working...not good.

Dry baking soda, without water or anything cleans a tub just perfect, not matter what type tub. The oils and dirt from the tub clings onto the baking soda and works find, all by itsself. If you feel that it is not, then try powder laundry detergent, it does the same job as well...excellent! One more thing though, if you have a cast iron tub, fine grade sand paper is excellent as well, yet be careful.

Where is a good place to find antibacterial essential oil?

Fiber glass tubs cheap dollar store toothpaste and a bristle brush. works great! smells great!

For fiberglass tubs and shower stalls, try cheap toothpaste and a scrub brush. Just work it around like you would if you were brushing your teeth or a little harder if it's really bad. The smell is nice too!

What can you use to clean fiberglass? My tub is made out of fiberglass and I have such a rough time cleaning it.

I wouldn't use essential oils on fiberglass; they are very strong and could marr the surface.

I just tried this. it's great. It also cleaned my formica bathroom counter top, formica sinks ((which I never have been able to clean propely). It's also good for wiping finger prints off walls and cleaning ligt switches. I used tee tree oil in the mix and decided to try just the oil on a clean cloth to clean bamboo towel shelves. It made a clean and shiny surface. the natural oil was a good poilsh.

Is this safe on a jacuzzi brand tub made of some type of fiberglass ?

Where do you buy the Tea tree, rosemary,peppermint oil's?

I have tried everything on the market! And I am so tired of the remainder of soapscum! This is the answer. I didn't even have to scrub, just applied with a scrub brush over entire tub and then rinsed off with hot water. It was all gone!!! The faucet fixtures sparkle. Thanks Martha and team!

yes its safe! all household items which wouldn't even irritate your skin

Is this safe for septic systems?

Is this safe for septic systems?

Is this safe for septic systems?

Thanks Twinkling, I thought that this was a glass cup. I've got new glass measuring cups on my shopping list. This one looked easy to read.

I always sprinkle the whole fiberglass tub-n-shower with baking soda and then spray and pour white vinegar over it. It fizzes and just eats away the greasy dirt and grimy soap scum. I don't really need to scrub too much just a bit with a soft brush in the curves and the bottom where that built-in no-slip texture is that traps all the gunk. Use the same stuff on the chrome with a rag and it will be shining with no water spots.

To answer the previous comment - the 'antibacterial' refers to the properties of the particular essential oils mentioned; though from my understanding the tea tree oil is the most antibacterial followed by the eucalyptus oil. I regularly use bakings soda and white vinegar on my composite stone bench and don't find it too abrasive, it's quite soft and doesn't scratch.

You can find essential oils at some drug stores and just about any health food store such as the Vitamin Shoppe.

Where do you find antibacterial essential oil??

Can this be used on stone too -- I wouldn't think the baking soda isn't too abrasive but you never know?

I wonder why all the comments are multiplying, plastic measuring cups can be found anywhere, got mine in dollar store

I wonder why all the comments are multiplying, plastic measuring cups can be found anywhere, got mine in dollar store

dearmmau
i've seen cups just like this. they are clear plastic available in dept. stores and hardware stores

dearmmau
i've seen cups just like this. they are clear plastic available in dept. stores and hardware stores

dearmmau
i've seen cups just like this. they are clear plastic available in dept. stores and hardware stores

dearmmau
i've seen cups just like this. they are clear plastic available in dept. stores and hardware stores

dearmmau
i've seen cups just like this. they are clear plastic available in dept. stores and hardware stores

dearmmau
i've seen cups just like this. they are clear plastic available in dept. stores and hardware stores

dearmmau
i've seen cups just like this. they are clear plastic available in dept. stores and hardware stores

I use soda plus something most of the time. I wonder if making this mixture is much more effective. I like the idea of the essential oil, not only for a nice smell but that it also is antibacterial.
I would like to buy the measuring cup that is pictured here. Does anyone have one or know the brand name? The glass looks a bit thin though.

I use soda plus something most of the time. I wonder if making this mixture is much more effective. I like the idea of the essential oil, not only for a nice smell but that it also is antibacterial.
I would like to buy the measuring cup that is pictured here. Does anyone have one or know the brand name? The glass looks a bit thin though.

I use soda plus something most of the time. I wonder if making this mixture is much more effective. I like the idea of the essential oil, not only for a nice smell but that it also is antibacterial.
I would like to buy the measuring cup that is pictured here. Does anyone have one or know the brand name? The glass looks a bit thin though.

This works better than most chemical cleaners for scrubbing mold and mildew, and even mineral stains from faucet water!

This works better than most chemical cleaners for scrubbing mold and mildew, and even mineral stains from faucet water!

This works better than most chemical cleaners for scrubbing mold and mildew, and even mineral stains from faucet water!

Sadlesor2 -the idea here is to find a non-toxic solution to cleanining. Tee tree oil is a natural anti-bacterial. Many mass-produced anti-bacterial products use a chemical called Tricolsan that is under scrutiny right now. I would suggest trying it with the tea tree, and use a glycerin soap, like Dr. Bronner's. That, or check out a site called Eco-Me.com, they sell home cleaning kits where you add your own baking soda, water, etc, they provide all the tools and the essential oils.

You can get tea tree oil at a natural foods type store and at Bath and Body Works. Tea Tree Oil is also an effective agent for cleaning scratches/cuts. You can put on hair, after shampoo and conditioner, then rinse out, as it is good for cleaning your scalp and keeping head lice at bay (if you have elementary-aged children, you know this can be an issue). It can also be used to treat head lice.

Thank you yvonneshula. I like the tip about the plane ride. My son always gets strep when he flies. We will be flying in the next couple of months so I guess I will be heading out for some tea tree oil.

Sounds great ... can it be used on acrylic tubs/walls?

Ironic tip-of-the-day because I just looked up tub cleaning in Martha's Homekeeping Handbook yesterday. The HB said that one should never use a brush to clean the tub no matter what type of material it is, and instead a soft cloth to avoid scratching it.

Where can you find tea tree oil? Additionally, I use baking soda and vinegar to clean tough greasy spots on my stove top and oven.

I LOVE this tub cleaner recipe. I used tea tree oil and not only does my tub smell amazing, itis also noticeably cleaner than when I use store-bought cleaning solutions. Thanks Martha! Kepp the great tips coming!

How about using antibacterial liquid soap and eliminate the essential oil all together? In order not to water down the paste I think I will increase the liquid soap slightly.

I use the "Young Living" essential oil blend called "Thieves" with my homemade cleaners. It has unparalleled anti-bacterial properties. Make sure you use therapeutic grade oils if you want more tha just a good smell.

I'm pretty sure the intent here was to help us clean our bathtubs with ingrediants we already HAVE in our homes (homemade) so you don't have to go buy expensive products. Thank you Martha

Not a silly question at all marks mom, tea tree oil is actually a very strong anti bacterial agent. I always put a few drops on a kleenex during any airplane flights and keep it near my face, I never catch any bugs that are associated with the dangers of recycled air. However I do agree that using ANY essential oil should be with caution and less is always more if you know what I mean.

May sound like a silly question but can you just leave out the essential oils? Aren't they just for the scent or do they actually have some sort of cleaning power?

I recently spoke to a sales person about a new tub - acrylic - she said to be very careful w/essential oils - can damage the acrylic - so I would imagine it would be ok on non-porcelain - just be careful w/ the amount you add... Dr. Bonner's is probably a good/easier alternative.

I think Dr. Bronners peppermint soap would be a wonderful substitution for regular liquid soap. It is a great cleanser and it already has peppermint oils in it. They also have tea tree, citrus, eucalyptus, lavender, rose and almond and a classic version, and as an added bonus you wouldn't even need to look for essential oils. It is all natural and they have been around for 60 years. I hope this helps you.

Would this work on showers too? Fiberglass?

The best place to get essential oils in my opinion in Mountain Rose Herbs (website), along with other cheap bulk ingredients, their products are a good price and high quality.

Isn't adding liquid soap defeating the purpose of making your own solution? Is there anything else you can use?

You should be able to get them at any health food store or on the internet. Alot of pharmacies cary them now too with everyones interest in making healthy choices.

Whole Foods (Whole Body department) sells essential oils.

@alison2: Buy essential oils at your drugstore, at the bio store, or at natural cosmetics stores.

Where can you get essential oils like tea tree, peppermint or eucalyptus?

This works great for either and it really makes your house smell nice. I personally like the peppermint!

Is this okay for a fiberglass tub -- or just porcelain???