Cleaning every room of one’s house takes special products, a significant amount of time, and the patience that is necessary to get it all done correctly. At A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass, we frequently hear questions from our customers about which nonabrasive supplies they should use or how they can get rid of soap scum and bacteria. One of the most common questions that we get is whether there are any special sponges that they should use to clean out a porcelain bathtub.
Porcelain Bathtubs Require Gentle Cleaning
It is absolutely the case that porcelain bathtubs provide a sleek design and look to one’s bathroom, but it is also true that they require a very gentle cleaning process to retain their beauty and value.
Bathtubs capture dirt within them, and this dirt needs to be removed to keep it clean. A great way to do so is to take a combination of warm water, ammonia, and baking soda in a bucket with a gentle washrag or sponge, and wipe down the entire tub with that combination of materials.
You should scrub the tub in full to make sure you eliminate all the dirt and grime that may cause you some issues, and then you can rinse it all out completely so that you know for sure that your tub has been completely cleaned out just the way that you would expect it to be. This is a process, but it is one that you need to go through if you are going to get serious about cleaning your porcelain tub.
Do They Make Special Sponges for Porcelain Tubs?
Yes, you can get special sponges to use on your porcelain tub if you wish to do so. These sponges are gentler on the tub than some of the mass market sponges you can find in any random store. That being said, you should be pretty safe to use virtually any kind of sponge as long as you are careful about how hard you scrub on your porcelain tub.
It is often the case that you will need to take a considerable amount of time to clean your tub and don’t risk damaging the porcelain at the same time. You can accomplish both of these goals if you are just extremely careful about how you scrub down the tub. Don’t take unnecessary risks with it, and you should be just fine. If you use a great sponge specifically designed for a porcelain tub, then you should be set up to handle the mission of getting your tub cleaned out just the way you need it to be. Make sure you look for the kind of sponge that can keep your tub clean without risking the chance of tearing anything up.
You can keep your tub safe, but only when you take the steps necessary to get it done.
Porcelain enamel gives your bathroom fixtures an elegant look. It also helps improve the design and function of a bath or shower with a clean shine on the bacteria-resistant, non-porous clean finish. However, whether you’ve just installed a new porcelain bathtub or sink or want to clean an old one, regular cleaning helps keep it in good condition.
This article will cover everything you need to know about caring for your porcelain bathtub or sink.
Materials to Avoid When Cleaning a Porcelain Bathtub or Sink
Cast-iron is traditionally covered with a porcelain enamel that’s fused to the cast iron in the furnace. While it’s solid and durable, porcelain enamel requires gentle care.
That means abrasive cleaners and materials can ding or chip the surface, degrading the surface and worsening the cleaning process. To avoid increased damage, here are a few materials you should not use:
White vinegar
Steel wool or a heavy-duty scouring pad
Scouring powder
How to Clean Your Porcelain Enamel Tub or Sink: Weekly
Like everything else in your bathroom, your charming bathroom fixtures need weekly cleaning. Here are a few steps to take:
Mix a gallon of hot water with two tablespoons of dishwashing soap. Feel free to use any grease-cutting soap you have.
Dip a soft cloth or sponge, and rub the tub or sink to remove dirt and grease.
Rinse well and let your tub or sink dry
How to Deep Clean Your Porcelain Enamel Tub or Sink
The regular weekly cleaning is not enough to keep your tub and sink looking fresh, shiny, and ready-to-use every time.
Once a month, you may want to do some deep cleaning using ammonia and baking soda. Here are the steps to take:
Mix warm water with ¼ cup of baking soda and ¼ cup of ammonia in a bucket. The ammonia helps remove smells, grease, scum, and any soap that has built up over time.
Dip your sponge or soft cloth in the mixture and scrub the surface of your tub and sink. Pay attention to stained areas. Repeat the process until you’re satisfied with the results.
Rinse the surface well.
Dry the entire surface with a clean rag to prevent baking soda stains from leaving white films behind.
How to Restore Shine and Sparkle in Your Porcelain Tub or Sink
With time, your tub or sink may appear dull, cracked, or chipped if not well-maintained.
Once in a while, use lemon oil and rub around the tub to help repel the soap and scum and keep your sink or tub smelling and looking clean. Avoid rubbing too much oil, especially at the bottom of the tub, to prevent slipping.
Need to Repair Your Tub, Sink, Vanity, or Tiles in Arizona?
At A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. we can help bring or restore that bathroom shine and sparkle you have always wanted at an affordable price. All our technicians are trained and experienced to handle every aspect of your project and respond to every question you might have. Feel free to call us on (602) 531-4453 today!
The ceramic family of tiles is one of the most durable materials for your home. There is no doubt that porcelain and ceramic tile surfaces make maintenance easy. Withstanding heavy foot traffic, ceramic and porcelain tile surfaces make a great choice for many homeowners. When it comes to cleaning porcelain and ceramic tile, there are a few options available.
Mild Soap Solution
First, you can use a mild soap and water solution. This is the safest method to clean your tile and will not damage the surface. However, this method may not be strong enough to remove tough stains or dirt build-up. When using mild soap and water, rinse the tile well afterward to avoid soap build-up. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on your tile, as these can damage the surface.
You can use a stronger cleaner such as vinegar or bleach for tougher dirt and stains. Test these cleaners in an inconspicuous area first to ensure they will not damage your tile. When using vinegar or bleach, always dilute with water and rinse the tile well afterward.
Alkaline Cleaners
For stubborn grease removal, you may need an alkaline cleaner. Alkaline cleaners are available commercially, or you can make your own by mixing one part laundry detergent with ten parts water. Apply the solution to the tile with a sponge and scrub the area well. Rinse the tile afterward with clean water. With a pH of 12, this type of cleaner should only be used as a last resort, as it can damage your tile if not used correctly.
Neutral Cleaners
If you need a cleaner between an alkaline and acidic cleaner, you can use a neutral cleaner. These cleaners are safe to use on most surfaces, including porcelain and ceramic tile. You can purchase neutral cleaners commercially or make your own by mixing one part dish soap with ten parts water. Use a sponge and scrub when applying the solution. Rinse the tile afterward with clean water.
How to Clean
Sweep
Sweeping your floor regularly is the best way to prevent dirt and debris from building up and becoming difficult to remove. Use a soft-bristled broom or vacuum with a soft brush attachment to sweep your floor. Ensure that you are getting into all the nooks and crannies to prevent dirt from accumulating.
Mop
When it comes time to mop your floor, use a damp mop and avoid using too much water. Water can seep into the grout lines and cause damage. Instead, focus on using a damp mop to pick up any dirt or debris that has been left behind.
Conclusion
A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. is the go-to company for all your porcelain and ceramic tile cleaning needs. We provide various services to meet your every need, from sweeping and mopping to deep-cleaning tough stains and dirt build-up. Our team of experts will work diligently to get your tile looking new again. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Are you wondering how you can make your bathroom smell fresh and clean? Many people don’t clean their bathrooms until they find out they are having company, and sometimes this may even be last minute. It’s typical that your guests will need to use your bathroom at least once while they are at your house. If your goal is to make your home look and smell like a luxury spa, there are a few tips you can follow to help you along the way.
Quick Hacks for Bathroom Cleaning
Plastic Grocery Bag on Door Knob
Before you start cleaning, grab a plastic grocery bag and hang it on the doorknob in your bathroom. This allows you to gather trash rather quickly instead of emptying your bathroom trash can all over again.
Use Disinfectant Wipes
If you are in a hurry, and you want convenience, it can’t get any easier than disinfectant wipes. You will even probably be able to clean your entire bathroom much faster using just a container of the cleaning wipes. If you run one of these wipes over the bathroom counter and sink, you will see just how fast your entire surface will shine.
Get Rid of Clutter
If you are one of those people that has hair products and makeup lying around your bathroom, make sure to put them away. Just open up a drawer and throw everything inside for an instant clutter-free and clean counter.
Clean Bathroom Mirrors
Many bathroom mirrors are probably splattered with toothpaste and much more if you have kids. If your guests use your bathroom, this is probably going to turn them off. Porcelain & fiberglass refinishing always works wonders. Before using this though, give your mirrors a quick splash of glass cleaner and wipe them down quickly to avoid spots and to brighten your entire bathroom.
Glass Cleaner on Fixtures
While you still have your glass cleaner out, spray some of it on various sink fixtures and clean them, too, for instant sparkle.
Use Essential Oil
Bathrooms can leave unwanted lingering odors. To make sure that your bathroom remains clean and smelling nice, add a few drops of essential oil to the inside of your toilet paper roll.
Clean Toilet Bowl
It is true that a regular toilet brush can quickly clean your toilet bowl. However, it can cause problems when you have dripping water from the toilet bowl when you take it out. Besides, no one has an additional 15 minutes to let the cleaner sit in the bowl. A better option is to use a Clorox Toilet Wand System. It comes with disposable heads that you can connect to the wand.
Change Towels
That hand towel that you have sitting in your bathroom has probably been in there for weeks or months. Make sure that you swap that towel with a fresh one for your guests so they will think you actually do laundry on a regular basis.
Get Rid of Dirty Clothes
Do you have a hamper sitting near or in the bathroom filled with dirty clothes? If so, you can quickly just throw it in the bathtub with the curtain closed, or move it into the laundry room. They will never know.
Your bathtub is a vital part of your home and well-being. This is because it helps you stay clean and improves your mood after you take a relaxing bath. This is why you need to check your bathtub’s condition frequently. A leaking bathtub can cause severe water damage to your home’s structure over time. If your bathtub is leaking, the problem can be with its faucet, grout or drain. Instead of replacing the entire leaking bathtub, which is expensive, you can do fiberglass repair on it yourself. Here’s how to fix a leaking bathtub yourself.
1. Locate the Leaks
The first step to repairing a leaking tub is to find the leak. The leaks from the faucet and grout can be easy to spot, while those on the drain are more challenging to find. However, you can know if there is a leak in your bath’s drain through elimination. If you don’t see any leaks in the faucet and grout, it means that the leak is in the drain. To locate the leaks:
Wipe the faucet and the outside of the grout dry with a cloth.
Wrap the faucet and the outside of the grout with dry newspaper.
Let the faucet fill the tub with water and leave it for 10 minutes.
Check the wrapping newspaper for any damp spots to find the leaks.
2. Fixing the Leaks
If the faucet leaks, you will need a screwdriver, pipe wrench, gaskets and stem washers to fix it. You will start by removing the faucet handle and using the pipe wrench to remove the packing nut. Go on and replace the old washers and gaskets with new ones and put the faucet back together.
If your tub’s body or grout is leaking, clean the leakage area and dry it thoroughly. Apply a sealant to the leaking spot and let it dry for at least three hours. If the leak in your bathtub’s drain, you will need a drain removal tool, screwdriver, putty knife, plumber’s putty and a rag or paper towel. As the bathtub is an important part of your home, make sure you use quality products for the repairs.
Pros and Cons of Repairing Your Bathtub Yourself
The pros are:
It can be more affordable than having to call a professional.
It can be a fun family-bonding activity you can do with your child.
The cons are:
Poor workmanship; thus, the repair work won’t look as appealing compared to if it were done by a professional.
The refinishing work won’t last as long as if it were handled by a professional.
You risk causing more problems to your bathtub than it had before.
Are you looking for bathroom refinishing help?
Welcome to A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., located in Glendale, Arizona, for your bathroom refinishing needs. We are top-notch bathtub and shower specialists that started operations in 1975. We repair cracked fiberglass tubs and refinish tubs, sinks and showers. A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co. operates all weekdays. Call us today for unmatched bathroom refinishing assistance.
