The good news is that all of these things will come up eventually.

It just takes some elbow greaseand some careto prevent scratches.

Learn how to remove grout from a tub and clean it up with these easy steps.

Wiping drywall, grout, mortar out of a tub

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Leave this in the hands of the contractor.

Apply a grout haze remover according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Usually, this involves wiping with a paper towel or a clean rag.

Using a paint scraper to remove grout from a bath tub

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

If that doesn’t work, try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and the remover product.

Also, grout and mortar are gritty and can scratch the polished surface of a bathtub.

Your goal here is to minimize doing any damage while removing the mess from the tub.

Collecting loose pieces of grout

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

you could also use an inexpensive plastic scraper from a paint store or home center.

Use a Shop Vac

Remove all grout and mortar dust and small particles with a shop vac.

Do not sweep up the debris, to prevent scratching.

Vacuuming loose pieces of grout from the tub

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Scrub areas of discoloration with a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber dipped in the cleaning solution.

Rinse the area well, and repeat, if necessary.

Tip

Acrylic bathtubs can be buffed with an electric car polisher.

Using a non abrasive sponge to scrub the tub

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Start with a clean bathtub.

Keep the RPMs low and go slowly.

Thoroughly wash off the polishing compound after buffing.

Drying the tub with a microfiber cloth

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

How to Remove Drywall Compound From a Tub

Drywall compound, or mud, is water-soluble.

Unfortunately, the mud is not as water-soluble as you might hope.

It will not quickly dissolve the instant water comes into contact with it.

You still need to work on it.

Painters and drywall contractors clean their tools immediately when they finish using them before the mud can dry.

Once the mud has dried, it is still possible to remove but it becomes a lot more difficult.