The Secret to Cleaning Your Bathtub Just Might Be Toilet Paper

Whatever tried-and-true method you have for cleaning your bathtub might work wonders on the tiles, basin, and other easy-to-reach parts. But it might not tackle the mold sitting deep in the crack between the tiles and the tub—not to mention the corners—quite so well.

Sure, you can attack those spots with an old toothbrush coated in your go-to cleaning solution. Or you can save yourself the trouble of scrubbing by turning to another bathroom staple: toilet paper. As Lifehacker explains, the first step is lining the wall-tub border (wherever you see mold) with toilet paper twisted into rope-like lengths. Then, douse them in a bleach-based solution and press them firmly into place over the mold.

Since you’re supposed to let that sit for about 12 hours, it’s best to keep the bathroom fan going and/or the windows open to mitigate the bleach fumes. And if being near even mild bleach fumes for that long sounds intolerable, you can try a bleach alternative like vinegar instead. After the waiting period is over, peel away the soggy toilet paper—with gloved hands, if you opted for bleach—and marvel at the absence of mold. Then make sure to wash away the cleaner residue with water.

To see the hack in action before you try it on your own tub, you can watch TikTok user @lilstepha_ demonstrate in this TikTok video. Several commenters have recommended using cotton balls or cotton pads instead, since they’re sturdier and therefore less of a mess to remove than toilet paper. And if you only have mold in the very corners of your tub, a couple cotton balls might be your best bet.