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!
Rust stains occur when iron in your tap water oxidizes and clings to the surface of your sinks and tubs. The telltale orange stains are common in areas that have a lot of iron in the water, and if you use bleach-based cleaners, you can actually make the stains even worse. If you’re experiencing a rusted bathtub in Phoenix, AZ, here’s how to clean and prevent rust stains.
Cleaning rust stains
There are two all-natural ways to get rid of rust stains in your bathtubs and sinks. First, lemon and salt make a highly-effective cleaning combo: squeeze lemon juice over the stains to dampen them, then sprinkle regular table or kosher salt over the stains. Allow to sit for several hours, then gently clean with a fresh microfiber cloth. Rinse clean to remove any lingering lemon juice or salt.
You can achieve similar results using baking soda and water. Make a paste by mixing baking soda and water together (it should be thick and hold its shape, similar to arts and crafts paste), then apply it to the rust stains. Let the mixture sit overnight, then use a clean cloth to wipe the stains away. Rinse and repeat if needed.
If neither of these methods works, try using a little elbow grease and a cleaning screen, available at most hardware stores, to get the job done. It’s slightly more abrasive then scrubbing sponges and will help remove any remaining rust. Oxalic acid can also remove the rust stains, although it is not natural like the other solutions.
Preventing rust stains
Now that you’ve gotten rid of the rust, here are some steps you can take toward rust stain prevention in Phoenix, AZ:
- Install a water softener or purifier: The most effective way of getting rust stains out of your bathtubs is to eliminate the iron altogether. Installing a water softener or purifier that’s designed to remove iron will solve the problem at its source and provide the most long-lasting results.
- Rinse and wipe down your tub after each use: You can keep your tub clean by making sure to rinse down its walls and sides after each use, then wiping them down with a towel. This helps remove any iron residue, even if you can’t see it in the water.
- Don’t store metal in the tub: Do you have metal cans or other metal tools sitting around in your shower or bathtub? This can leave behind rings and other rusty remnants. Store your metal cans and items in a cabinet that will protect the metal from humidity.
- Clean your bathtub once a week: Finally, cleaning your bathtub at least once weekly will go a long way toward eliminating rust buildup. If you notice stains starting to form, use one of the methods above to remove them—it will be easier the earlier you catch them. And remember, never use bleach.
If your tub is too far gone, call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., LLC. We can refinish your rusted porcelain and fiberglass tubs and sinks in Phoenix, AZ so they look brand new.
Rust stains occur when iron in your tap water oxidizes and clings to the surface of your sinks and tubs. The telltale orange stains are common in areas that have a lot of iron in the water, and if you use bleach-based cleaners, you can actually make the stains even worse. If you’re experiencing a rusted bathtub in Phoenix, AZ, here’s how to clean and prevent rust stains.
Cleaning rust stains
There are two all-natural ways to get rid of rust stains in your bathtubs and sinks. First, lemon and salt make a highly-effective cleaning combo: squeeze lemon juice over the stains to dampen them, then sprinkle regular table or kosher salt over the stains. Allow to sit for several hours, then gently clean with a fresh microfiber cloth. Rinse clean to remove any lingering lemon juice or salt.
You can achieve similar results using baking soda and water. Make a paste by mixing baking soda and water together (it should be thick and hold its shape, similar to arts and crafts paste), then apply it to the rust stains. Let the mixture sit overnight, then use a clean cloth to wipe the stains away. Rinse and repeat if needed.
If neither of these methods works, try using a little elbow grease and a cleaning screen, available at most hardware stores, to get the job done. It’s slightly more abrasive then scrubbing sponges and will help remove any remaining rust. Oxalic acid can also remove the rust stains, although it is not natural like the other solutions.
Preventing rust stains
Now that you’ve gotten rid of the rust, here are some steps you can take toward rust stain prevention in Phoenix, AZ:
- Install a water softener or purifier: The most effective way of getting rust stains out of your bathtubs is to eliminate the iron altogether. Installing a water softener or purifier that’s designed to remove iron will solve the problem at its source and provide the most long-lasting results.
- Rinse and wipe down your tub after each use: You can keep your tub clean by making sure to rinse down its walls and sides after each use, then wiping them down with a towel. This helps remove any iron residue, even if you can’t see it in the water.
- Don’t store metal in the tub: Do you have metal cans or other metal tools sitting around in your shower or bathtub? This can leave behind rings and other rusty remnants. Store your metal cans and items in a cabinet that will protect the metal from humidity.
- Clean your bathtub once a week: Finally, cleaning your bathtub at least once weekly will go a long way toward eliminating rust buildup. If you notice stains starting to form, use one of the methods above to remove them—it will be easier the earlier you catch them. And remember, never use bleach.
If your tub is too far gone, call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., LLC. We can refinish your rusted porcelain and fiberglass tubs and sinks in Phoenix, AZ so they look brand new.
