Cleaning your bathtub is most likely not your favorite chore, but it’s a task that must be done—probably more often than you might think.

Here, a cleaning expert speaks to how many times you should be cleaning your bathtub per week as well as how to make the process a bit simpler. That’s right—you don’t need to spend tons of time physically scrubbing your tub in order to get great results. There are several pro-approved methods that are effective without requiring much by way of cleaning supplies or physical labor.

Keep reading to learn more about three of the best no-scrub methods to consider as you prep to clean your tub next, and to gather tips on how to maintain a clean tub all year long.

How Often Should You Clean Your Bathtub,

It is a smart idea to make tackling the bathtub part of your weekly cleaning ritual, Ashley Kidder, who is a cleaning expert and the founder of Dashing Maids, explains who notes that this is essential in order to rid the tub of soap scum, mildew, and grime.

She adds that if you’re using your bathtub daily, whether to bathe pets or children, cleaning it every three to five days is ideal to keep it looking and feeling nice and fresh.

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How to Clean a Bathtub With Dish Soap and Vinegar

It’s easy to clean your bathtub using any dish soap that you already have on hand in the kitchen along with some vinegar. “This is a favorite for a reason—it’s affordable, effective, and safe for most tubs,” Kidder says.

1. Gather equal parts dish soap and white vinegar.
2. Transfer your dish soap into a spray bottle, then heat up your vinegar in the microwave for about 30 seconds before adding it to the spray bottle.
3. Kidder recommends generously coating your tub with the mixture and allowing it to sit for 30 minutes to one hour.
4. Once that period of time has passed, all that you will need to do is rinse the tub out using some warm water.

How to Clean a Bathtub With Baking Soda

Baking soda, another household cleaning staple, can also come in handy as you clean your bathtub, particularly if you’re looking to tackle stains, Kidder shares.

1. Sprinkle some baking soda throughout the tub before spraying hydrogen peroxide over it until the entire tub is damp.
2. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes to one hour.
3. Rinse out the tub.

How to Clean a Bathtub With Dish Soap

Maybe you only have dish soap on hand and not anything else—don’t panic, you can still clean your tub this way as long as you have a stopper, Kidder explains. “This lazy method works wonders overnight,” she says.

1. Fill your tub, plug your drain, and squirt some dish soap into the water.
2. Let everything sit for either a few hours or the entire night.
3. In the morning, drain the tub and rinse it out. “This loosens grime so you can wipe it clean with little effort,” Kidder says.

Tips for Maintaining a Clean Tub

• Practice frequent rinsing. Kidder recommends keeping a bottle of vinegar mixed with water in your bathroom and spraying down your bathtub regularly for maintenance.
• Wipe down your tub after each use. After you take a shower or bath, use a microfiber cloth to wipe down your tub. This will help to prevent the buildup of moisture, Kidder explains.
• Be mindful when using bath oils. Avoiding bath oils is beneficial for the maintenance of your tub, but if you must use them, be sure to rinse the tub off afterwards to eliminate residue, Kidder advises.
• Ventilate your bathroom. Reduce the buildup of moisture in your tub by running a fan or keeping the bathroom door open while you’re bathing, Kidder suggests.