Whether it’s a pesky yellow stain on your glass shower or a crusty film of soap scum on your shower door, hard water stains can be tough to get rid of. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can tackle those pesky stains without resorting to harsh chemicals. These natural cleansers are sure to leave your shower looking like new again!
Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that can kill bacteria and germs. White vinegar can be used to remove hard water stains from glass shower doors and faucet heads, as well as soap scum. It is an effective alternative to harsh chemicals and can be easily purchased at your local grocery store. If you have a showerhead that is soiled with mineral deposits, try wrapping it in a plastic bag and filling it with white vinegar. The acetic acid in the vinegar will break down the mineral deposit build-up. Leave it in the solution for up to 30 minutes.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great cleaning product and it can be used to remove pesky shower stains. It can be used as a mild abrasive, scouring agent and deodorizer to dissolve dirt, tackle odors, and cut through grime. All you have to do is combine a mixture of vinegar and water to create a cleaning solution and apply it to the stained area. Then you can wipe it clean with a cloth. And the best thing about baking soda is that it’s affordable and effective at many of its cleaning tricks.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic liquid that’s traditionally used to clean cuts and skin wounds. But the stuff is also useful for disinfecting, whitening and stain removal. You can use hydrogen peroxide on pretty much anything in your home, as long as you don’t use too strong of a concentration. And it’s safer than bleach, too! Mix a solution of baking soda and 3% hydrogen peroxide for a paste that will help get rid of pesky shower stains. Or spray it onto mildewy shower curtains, walls, and tile surfaces to kill the mold and mildew that’s built up there.
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.
If you’ve had your porcelain or fiberglass bathtub refinished in Phoenix, AZ, you’ll know firsthand what a difference it can make. Instead of having to replace your bathtub due to stains, deposits or rusting, you get to keep your bathtub and have it look and feel good as new.
Even if you’re happy with the porcelain or fiberglass refinishing process, you’ll still want to clean your tub periodically. This can be tough, though, because you want to keep your tub looking nice without stripping off the finish that you’ve just had put on. Here are some tips on cleaning a reglazed or refinished bathtub.
Do not use abrasive cleaners
We’ll start with what to avoid: abrasive cleaners are too caustic to use on your new finished tub. This applies to cleaning products as well as cleaning application methods. For example, refrain from using steel wool, Scotch-Brite pads or sponges that have an abrasive layer. Chemicals to avoid include powdered cleansers like Comet, Ajax and Bar Keepers Friend, in addition to any products that contain bleach or ammonia.
Try softer, non-abrasive cleaners and sponges
You can use a soft sponge or Blue Scotch-Brite (non-scratch) pad to clean your refinished tub, and pair it with products like Lysol Tub and Tile Cleaner, 409 (make sure it doesn’t have bleach in it), Zep Shower, Tub and Tile Cleaner, Scrubbing Bubbles, a DIY water and vinegar mixture and dish soap.
To prevent buildup of hard water stains and soap scum, you will want to clean your refinished porcelain or fiberglass tub often in Phoenix, AZ, so try to make it a habit.
How to clean your refinished tub
Now that you know what products to use and which to avoid, you should know how to actually clean your finished tub.
The first step is to rinse the tub with warm water to remove any surface level dirt or grime. You should then thoroughly coat the tub with an approved cleaning product and sponge as referenced above. Let the cleaner soak in for five minutes. You should then scrub the surface with a non-abrasive sponge or cloth and completely rinse the tub when done. Using a microfiber cloth for drying can provide a nice finishing touch.
Waxing your tub
The same way that waxing your car can help protect its outer layer of finish, your refinished or reglazed porcelain or fiberglass tub could benefit from a coat of wax as well. Once your tub has been refinished, you should wait 30 days, and after cleaning the tub’s surface, apply a thin coat of urethane wax with a damp cloth. Turtle Wax 2001 works for this purpose. Wipe the wax away with a dry cotton towel and make sure not to over-buff. This process can be repeated every one to four months.
Call for an estimate today
Sometimes it’s just as important to know what not to do than what you should do when cleaning a refinished bathtub. For example, you should not steam clean or power wash a refinished or reglazed porcelain or fiberglass bathtub, as those methods could compromise its outer layer.
If your bathroom fixtures are looking grungy and you don’t want to go through the trouble of replacing them, give us a call at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., LLC in Phoenix, AZ. We’ve been in business for over 45 years, and we have the knowledge and experience to restore your bathroom to its original, dazzling state, all at a competitive price.
So, you’ve recently restored your porcelain or fiberglass bathtub—congratulations! Now that it’s looking fresh and new, we bet you want to keep it that way. Professional bathtub refinishing can add years to your tub’s lifespan, especially if you care for it properly.
Here’s how to take the best care of your “new” tub so that it stays looking clean and restored for years to come. If you have any questions, be sure to ask A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C.—we’re the experts on bathtub maintenance in Phoenix, AZ:
Wait for the curing period to conclude: Your bathtub refinishing will include a curing period, during which the refinished covering will have the opportunity to fully set. It takes about 90 days to cure completely, although you’ll be able to use your tub within 48 to 72 hours of the refinishing process.
Clean and caulk the faucet: Keeping errant moisture away from your tub ensures that you won’t have to deal with water damage or erosion. Check the caulking every month or so to make sure there are no problems developing.
Scrub with gentle cleaners only: Liquid soap or body wash is one of the gentlest ways to clean your tub—simply scrub and rinse away for a clean, fresh tub. You can also ask your tub refinishing team what kind of cleaners they suggest. As a general rule, stay away from abrasive soaps, brushes and cleaning tools. They will scratch the shiny new finish and make it harder for you to maintain your tub’s new finish.
Wax every one to three months: Much like your car, your bathtub needs to be waxed—and you can even use car wax to do it. About a week after your tub is refinished, wax it for the first time. Then wait a month and do it again in order to keep the finish looking brand-new. Simply take auto wax and apply it according to the directions, buff with a soft cloth and rinse away. Be sure to buff gently, as you don’t want to scratch the finish with too much elbow grease.
Repair chips right away: If you notice chips in your finish, repair them before they get worse—you can either have a professional come repair them, or get a porcelain repair kit from the hardware store. As a general rule, the bigger the chip, the more likely you’ll want a pro to handle the repairs, unless you don’t care whether it looks good (but if you’ve just had your tub refinished, we suspect attractiveness is on your mind).
Avoid suction cups: Non-slip bathmats and other items with suction cups are great to keep you from slipping, but hot water can react with the suction cups and damage your tub’s finish. Avoid using these in your tub.
Keep surfaces dry: Finally, wipe down your tub after using so the surfaces remain dry, and never leave washcloths or sponges lying in the tub.
A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. performs bathtub repair in Phoenix, AZ—call us today to get started with an appointment.
Porcelain tubs can be difficult to keep clean. Without proper upkeep, the somewhat fragile surface can look dingy, scratched and dirty. Typically, porcelain tubs are made from cast iron and then coated in porcelain. Although they’re designed to last for decades, the coating is sure to eventually show some signs of wear. Furthermore, using certain cleaning products can exacerbate the damage and take years off its finish.
With this in mind, here’s a guide to the best ways to clean a porcelain tub in Phoenix, AZ:
Don’t use abrasives: When you’re cleaning enamel, you need to take care not to chip, crack or abrade your porcelain’s surface. Avoid steel wool, scouring pads, scouring powder and vinegar. All of these can break down the gloss that makes your porcelain tub so beautiful.
Use gentle cleaners only: Warm water, ammonia and baking soda should be all you need, unless your porcelain tub came with deep stains already on the surface.
Scrub with warm water: Fill a large bucket with warm or hot water, and add a quarter cup each of ammonia and baking soda. Using a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge, soak the cloth in the mixture and apply it to the tub. Keep dipping and scrubbing as necessary, making sure to focus on any stains. When you’re all done, rinse the tub with clean water and use a clean rag to further rinse and polish the surface.
Treat tough stains naturally: When you have tough stains that ammonia and baking soda can’t eradicate on their own, use the juice of a lemon and some salt. Cover the stain with salt and then squeeze the juice of a lemon on top, then let it sit for at least a half an hour. Another great solution is to use a paste of two parts baking soda and one part hydrogen peroxide. If this doesn’t work, try the lemon juice and salt method, but leave it on for an hour this time.
Try weekly upkeep: The best way to keep stains from setting in is to keep up with your cleaning—it’s boring, but true! Use about a gallon of hot water mixed with dishwashing soap and scrub down the entire tub, then rinse with clean water. You should have a shiny and clean porcelain bathtub again in no time at all!
Refinish your tub: If you have stubborn stains that just won’t quit, it might be time to call in professional help to re-glaze your tub—and if you need help, call us!
A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. can help you with porcelain tub cleaning in Phoenix, AZ. For over 40 years, we’ve provided the Phoenix area with great service at affordable prices. If your bathroom fixtures are looking dirty, dingy or just run down, give us a call. Our team of skilled professionals specializes in refinishing and repairing porcelain sinks, bathtubs and showers. Reach out to us today to find out how we can make your bathroom look brand-new again!
