Your bathroom is one of the rooms in your house that you should always keep clean. Otherwise, mould and mildew may grow as it is always wet and damp. Besides bathroom sinks and shower stalls, freestanding baths should also be maintained regularly if you want them looking spotless. You don’t want any stains on your tub that will ruin the entire bathroom’s look, right? But you should not just clean it with anything you grab hold of. You should know the material that the tub is made of to ensure that you are using a suitable cleaner. Some cleaners may not be right for certain materials, so be careful.
Porcelain-enamelled steel tub
This type of tub is inexpensive, durable, and easy to clean. The only disadvantage is that it can chip easily, and the exposed part can rust right away. Do not use any abrasive chemical cleaners for this tub type, as they can chip the surface. Avoid vinegar, steel wool, and scouring powder; they can damage the smooth surface.
A couple of tablespoons of dishwashing soap to a gallon of hot water is all you need, and a soft cloth to wipe the surface. Rinse thoroughly with water. Do this only once a month as doing it too frequently can still damage the surface.
Acrylic
An acrylic tub is what many people use nowadays. Chemical cleaners may damage the acrylic plastic, so use only mild cleaners. Wet the tub with warm water before you start. You may use a dab of regular shampoo on the tub using a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse until there are no more bubbles or suds. Dry the tub and apply a coat of car wax in a circular motion. Let the coating dry before wiping the surface with a cotton ball. The car wax’s purpose is to prevent soap and shampoo from sticking to the surface.
Enamelled cast iron
This type is probably the most expensive of all kinds. The enamel makes the tub more resistant to chipping and scratching. Abrasive cleaners can also damage and discolour the coating, so use baking soda and water instead. Make a paste out of the baking soda and water and let the mixture sit on the tub for half an hour before scrubbing and rinsing. Use a soft towel to wipe the tub and rinse with water. This will remove the soap and scum that accumulates on the tub.
Natural stone
This type is more prone to scratching, so keep in mind not to use a rough scouring pad. A soft cloth or sponge will do. For keeping the tub clean, use a mild detergent or dish soap. To remove the build-up of soap and scum, mix equal amounts of vinegar with water to spray only on the area with soap and scum.
You can see that whatever material your tub is made of, you should not use any harsh chemicals to affect the quality of the tub’s surface. They can chip, scratch, and erode the surface, which will shorten the tub’s lifespan and make it look old.
