A close up of a sink

How to Clean a Bathtub Anti-Slip Bottom

/Updated /24 Comments/in /by Mary Hunt

If you have a bathtub with a slip-resistant bottom that no matter what you use to clean it, still looks dingy, grungy, and downright disgusting, today I have really good news. This one sure-fire solution will bring even an older tub with anti-slip bottom back to clean, like new!

A close up of a sink

The Anti-Slip Story

Since the Americans with Disabilities Act became law in 1990, all bathtubs must be manufactured with some version of an anti-slip bottom. Kohler porcelain tubs come with the patented Safeguard Slip-Resistant Surface, which has a very distinctive look and seems to be the most prone to this ugly problem.

The Problem

The problem is not only with Kohler tubs but with any manufacturer who etches the tub’s bottom to provide the non-slip feature. That encourages the oil from your feet to start staining the tub’s bottom. Then it’s like these stains get embedded and locked in forever.

I’ve heard from many readers who have tried everything they can think of to remove these stains, without success. In fact, all of those efforts seem to do just the opposite, eventually making the problem even worse.

Skip These

Some readers have reported using Magic Eraser, Bar Keepers Friend, Zud, and Comet, all with varying levels of success. But you need to know that the manufacturer of the Safeguard Slip-Resistant Surfaces warns against all of them because they can harm the anti-slip and porcelain finishes, possibly creating an even worse problem over time.

Consider These

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

R.O.G.3 Bathtub and Shower Cleaner is the sure-fire product I have used and witnessed first-hand that it works (see before and after images above). It works on even the worst problem, and despite the manufacturer’s recommendations, I cannot say that for Clorox or Tilex. R.O.G.3 is the reliable product to clean those venerable, stubborn Safeguard Slip-Resistant Surfaces.

Sure-Fire Solution

R.O.G.3 is miraculous and will bring your tub back to its shiny new self including the slip-resistant etching, without damaging the porcelain or the anti-slip surface. You must get this product (actually it comes in a kit) from the manufacturer’s website. ROG3 is not available in stores or through Amazon. This video confirms what I know to be true.

In the kit you will receive two bottles—ROG3 Blue Liquid and ROG1 White Cream plus a scrubbing pad and sprayer head, for about $55 plus shipping, which is quite a bargain as compared to having a tub refinished or replaced. Look for a discount and or free shipping option at the ROG3 site. Often the company will offer that at least for a first-time purchase.

While ROG3 Bathtub and Shower Cleaner is a Kohler recommended product to clean the slip-resistant bottom of its bathtubs, it is not limited to that. This product will clean all tubs and showers—porcelain, fiberglass, cultured (manmade) marble—tile, Formica, Corian, stainless steel, toilets, sinks, and grout of dirt, grime and build up—those challenging situations that require more than this miracle!

 

 

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24 replies
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  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
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