how to clean non slip tub bottom

How to Clean a Non-Slip Bathtub Bottom Like New

/30 Comments/in , /by Mary Hunt

If your bathtub’s slip-resistant bottom still looks dingy, grungy, and downright disgusting no matter what you’ve tried, you’re not alone. That bathtub grip is great for keeping you upright, but it’s also a magnet for oils, grime, and stains that seem impossible to budge. Today, I’ve got really good news: there’s one sure-fire solution that can bring even the most tired, stained non-slip tub bottom back to clean, like new.

how to clean non slip tub bottom

Slips and falls in the bathroom aren’t rare. They’re shockingly common. Every year, about 235,000 people over the age of 15 end up in the ER because of a bathroom injury, and more than a third of those happen in the tub or shower. Bare feet plus soapy water on a smooth surface? That’s a recipe for disaster. No wonder textured, slip-resistant bathtub bottoms have become so common in homes, hotels, and public facilities alike. They’re great for safety… but not so great when it comes to keeping them looking clean.

Why Non-Slip Bathtub Bottoms Get So Dirty

Those tiny grooves and pits are perfect for safety, but they’re also perfect hiding spots for body oils, soap residue, and hard water minerals. Over time, this mix settles in like an unwelcome houseguest, staining the surface and making it look permanently dingy.

I’ve heard from countless readers who’ve thrown everything at these stains—scrubbing harder, switching products, even mixing their own “miracle” concoctions—only to have the problem stick around. In some cases, all that extra effort actually made things worse by roughing up the surface so it grabs onto dirt even faster.

Products You Should Avoid on a Bathtub Grip Surface

Some readers swear by products like Magic Eraser, Bar Keepers Friend, Zud, or Comet for scrubbing their tub’s non-slip bottom, and yes, they may see short-term results. But here’s the catch: the manufacturer of Safeguard Slip-Resistant Surfaces specifically warns against all of these. They can scratch or wear down both the textured grip and the porcelain finish, which not only shortens the life of your tub but can actually make it harder to clean in the long run. Think of it like sandpapering your problem into permanence.

The Best Way to Clean a Bathtub Anti Slip Bottom

The Best Way to Clean a Bathtub Anti Slip Bottom R.O.G.3 Clorox Tilex

Kohler officially recommends only three products for cleaning its non-skid and porcelain finishes: R.O.G.3 Bathtub and Shower Cleaner, Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner, and Tilex Bathroom Cleaner.

Of the three, R.O.G.3 is the only one I’ve seen deliver truly reliable results, both in my own home and in dozens of reader “before-and-after” photos. It’s tough enough to tackle even years-old stains without damaging the surface, and it works exactly as promised on those stubborn Safeguard Slip-Resistant Surfaces. While Clorox and Tilex may be on Kohler’s approved list, my experience (and feedback from readers) tells me they simply don’t measure up when you’re dealing with the most hard-headed grime.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Textured Bathtub Floor

A before and after of a bathtub anti slip. how to clean non slip tub bottom. bathtub grip. how to clean textured bathtub floor.

R.O.G.3 is nothing short of miraculous. It will bring your tub back to its shiny, like-new self, including the slip-resistant etching, without damaging the porcelain or the anti-slip surface. I’m not sponsored, paid, or rewarded in any way for saying this. I recommend it because I’ve seen it work with my own eyes (and from many happy readers who’ve shared their results).

You’ll need to order directly from the manufacturer’s website. ROG3 isn’t sold in stores or on Amazon. The kit (about $63 plus shipping) includes two bottles, ROG3 Blue Liquid and ROG1 White Cream, plus a scrubbing pad and a sprayer head. That’s a bargain compared to refinishing or replacing your tub. Keep an eye out for discount codes or free shipping offers, especially for first-time buyers.

Here’s exactly how to use it:

  1. Start with a dry tub. Make sure the slip-resistant bottom is free of standing water so the cleaner can stick and work its magic.
  2. Apply the ROG3 Blue Liquid. Use the sprayer head to coat the entire textured surface generously. Don’t be shy.
  3. Let it sit. Give it about 10 minutes to loosen the grime and oils that have set in over time.
  4. Lightly scrub. Using the included scrubbing pad, work the cleaner into the texture. You don’t need to muscle it. the product is doing most of the work.
  5. Add the ROG1 White Cream. Apply a thin layer right over the blue cleaner, then scrub again, focusing on any stubborn spots.
  6. Rinse thoroughly. Use warm water to wash away the cleaner and all the lifted grime.
  7. Admire your work. At this point, your tub should look dramatically better, often like new.

Tip: For very old or heavily stained tubs, you may want to repeat the process a second time for maximum results.

More Uses for ROG3 Beyond Your Bathtub

While R.O.G.3 Bathtub and Shower Cleaner is Kohler’s top pick for cleaning the slip-resistant bottoms of its bathtubs, it’s far from a one-trick pony. This little miracle can tackle grime in just about every corner of your home.

Here’s where it shines:

  • Tubs and showers: porcelain, fiberglass, and cultured (manmade) marble
  • Tile and grout: lifts dirt and brightens without harsh scratching
  • Countertops: Formica, Corian, and even stainless steel
  • Fixtures: toilets, sinks, and more

If it’s coated in stubborn buildup, soap scum, or mystery grime, chances are R.O.G.3 can make it sparkle again. I’ve heard from readers who’ve used it to rescue everything from a dull stainless sink to dingy grout lines, and the results are impressive.

 

Question: What’s the most stubborn thing you’ve ever tried to clean and did you win the battle?

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30 replies
  2. Chris Copeland says:

    $63 for two cleaners?

    Although I don’t currently have a tub with the non-slip bottom, one of my previous homes did have this feature. The textured surface worked well as intended but cleaning it was a yearly deep cleaning and scrubbing process.
    Was wondering if you or any of your readers have tried the budget friendly recipe consisting of equal parts of white vinegar and Dawn dish soap?

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Yes, have tested all of them This is a very unique problem, that you would appreciate spending $63 to fix if you had one of those tubs. Those non skid strips Kohler put in their tubs years ago turned out to be a nightmare for customers who fell for them. $63 is a BARGAIN to make a tub look like new again instead of being horribly embarrassed to have guests that might see it Or spending the big bucks to replace that ugly tub. Pretty sure you’d understand if you had the problem.

      Reply
  3. Courtney says:

    My tub’s problem isn’t really daily dirt and grime; it’s hard water! the bottom and sides of my tub are yellow. How do you get rid of that?

    Reply
  4. Jamey W says:

    We have a Kohler cast iron tub we installed 10-15 years ago and the non-slip has always held dirt. We are about to install new tile and my wife is talking new tub unless I can get clean. I got ROG3 and ROG1 and no positive result… ROG also sells scrubby pads to attach to an orbital sander, so I tried the scrubby pad that came with the ROG3 and ROG1 on my orbital sander on a small test section, and after a LOT of time that section had a slight improvement. My wife is still an unhappy camper. I might try the pressure washer idea suggested in another comment and I expect that will be a big mess and perhaps for a good cause. Fingers crossed

    Reply
    • Jamey W says:

      This site offered other suggestions such as WD-40 with baking soda abrasive = NO Benefit in my experience. It also suggested acidic toilet bowl cleaner. That + some soak time + some elbow grease actually has provided the best result so far…Perhaps “The Pink Stuff” will provide our next level of clean-looking.

      Reply
  5. Robin says:

    Mary, I ordered ROG3, at your recommendation, on May 20th. They immediately ran my credit card. It has been two weeks and I have received nothing. Do you know if anyone else is having a problem?
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Contact the folks at ROG3 immediately! And no I have not nor have I had any feedback from others on shipping delays.

      Reply
  6. Joanne Hansen says:

    Compared to other before/after photos, my non-skid tub wasn’t a disaster, but it was gross enough that I never wanted to take a bubble bath in it. None of the other cleaning suggestions worked, so I ordered ROG. I just finished using both, and my tub looks brand new! It hasn’t been this clean in the 30+ years that I’ve been in my home! For me, the ROG system was amazing. I will try some of the other methods to keep my tub shiny, but thanks Mary for suggesting this product. I will definately recommend it to others.

    Reply
  7. Dorothea Giordano says:

    I’ve used ROG3 and it helps, but the tub will not come clean. Do you recommend having a tub resurfaced? Or must I replace?

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Sounds to me that the porcelain has become damaged somehow. If it is otherwise in good shape, resurfacing is a great option. Removing it and replacing with another tub of the same size could be very expensive, especially if the tub has to be chopped up to get it out of the room. I vote to resurface.

      Reply
  8. bob trash says:

    I had small circles in white cast iron tub but same awful dirt. Neither Ajax or Comet helped. What worked was a degreaser + mild abrasive + dish brush + scrub, wait, rinse, repeat. I used Pine Sol, Dawn, Bar Keepers Friend powder. I did not mix cleaners. Scrub 1 at a time, Wait a while, rinse then repeat. After a few iterations I saw improvement so I kept going until it looked like new. Spent less than $10 and maybe 30 minutes actual scrubbing time total.

    Reply
  9. Mark Kolecke says:

    As a licensed plumber with hundreds of tubs under my resume I can only reccomend an electric pressure washer. You can soak a tub overnight with whatever you have, paper towels and cover with a trash bag. But nothing like a sun joe for satisfying results.

    Reply
  10. NicaG says:

    Hello,

    I checked Kohler’s website, but couldn’t find their reference to ROG3. Can you please provide a link please? Thank you.

    Reply
  11. Shower Journal says:

    Hey Mary, another good read from you. Well, we have tested Magic Eraser at Shower Journal, but it was not much satisfactory. Rather cleaning with vinegar and apple cider vinegar was worthy enough. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Kathy Sommer says:

    Judy Maranger, How many dishwashing soap pods did you place in the tub? Did you break them up before placing them in the tub or did you let them melt? Any particular brand? 3-4 inches of water okay? And leave in for 30 or so minutes? Just bought this place and have worn myself out scrubbing…not putting a dent in it. I’m very excited if this works!!!

    Reply
  14. Suzanne Mulloy says:

    Instead of buying one more product, I used the spinning brush upholstery attachment to my carpet cleaning machine (with a bit of Dawn) and it worked beautifully. Using the daily shower spray recipe I found on this website has kept it clean.

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      And that daily shower cleaner recipe is HERE: https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/dear-mary/make-tub-tile-shower-cleaners-cheaper-better-faster/

      Reply
      • Dianna Rogers says:

        I usually skip your articles that recommend a toxic cleaning solution. I prefer your DIY formulas. I do not allow toxins in our home. They are killing us.

  15. Sherry Rogers says:

    At one point on this site I thought I saw oven cleaner as an option. I used that many years ago on fiberglass tub/shower floor with remarkable results for a less expensive cost. Is that no longer recommended?

    Reply
      • Cheryl Moyer says:

        Yes, ma’am, it does. (Fume-Free in the blue can.) But gotta be the blue can; the stuff in the yellow doesn’t work!)

  16. Judy Maranger says:

    My cleaning gal has a solution I never would have thought of myself. She puts a few dishwashing pods in the bottom of the tub, closes the stopper and runs a few inches of hot water and lets it soak while she cleans the rest of the bathroom, and Voila!… clean as a whistle!

    Reply
  17. Dawn Souders says:

    Mary, I thought your site is to provide inexpensive ways to clean. Not steer us toward products to buy. I have a spot that is in front of where a recliner sat on the carpet. It’s the result of people putting their feet or shoes in this spot. I tried baking soda and a soft brush and vacuumed. Didn’t help. This is Berber carpet with a pattern. Color white, tan with a little brown. I’ve browsed through your site and haven’t found anything about carpet.

    Reply
  18. Tracy Martin says:

    I have a month old tub Kohler tub that I clean everyday but it hasn’t avoided the dirty looking slip resistant grid in the bottom. the link to the video does not work

    Reply

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