Caring for an acrylic bathtub at home: useful tips
The exquisite shapes of the acrylic bathing bowl will delight the eye with the originality of the design idea.Proper operation, taking into account the characteristics of the material from which the plumbing fixtures are made, will help extend their life.
And in order for the glossy surface to look like new even after 5 years of use, careful care of the acrylic bathtub will be required using “soft” products.
We will share with you the secrets of maintaining capricious acrylic. The article provides effective folk methods for maintaining the whiteness of the bathtub, and also lists the main rules for the operation of plumbing fixtures, the observance of which will allow you to preserve the attractiveness of the bathtub for a long time.
The content of the article:
Features of acrylic products
Intricately configured sanitary ware allows you to create a unique interior in large and small bathrooms. It makes it possible to emphasize the individuality of the owners, adds comfort and brings a special atmosphere with its very presence.
What is a bath?
An acrylic bathtub, in addition to its original outlines, has its own positive and negative sideswhich must be taken into account during its operation and maintenance.
So, you should immediately make sure which product you are going to live with side by side - a cast acrylic structure with a thickness of 5 mm or more, or a 1- or 3-layer plastic variation covered with a 2-3 mm layer of acrylic.
If we are talking about the first option, then there will be no doubt about the impeccable quality of the product. The manufacturer will confirm this by providing a 10-25 year guarantee on acrylic.
In the second case, you will have to make friends with a thin coating, which will last for 3-5 years, and maybe even 10. This depends on the specifics of use and the promises of the company that made the bath.
We will not consider the option of a parody of an acrylic product with a top layer of 0.5 mm - a bad fake cannot be called an acrylic bathtub. The coating will wear off after 6-8 months of use.
In addition to the thickness of the acrylic layer, the difficulty of cleaning is influenced by size and functionality - the larger the bowl and the more pleasures it can offer, the more difficult it is to clean.
As for additional functions, there are many acrylic ones on sale bathtubs with hydromassage equipment, lighting, sound effects and other interesting devices.
It turns out that the original shape of the bowl, non-standard size, and many nozzles will influence the complexity of the procedures for caring for it. And the more additional equipment, the more time will need to be devoted to washing and disinfecting the product.
Useful tips for choosing an acrylic bathtub and ratings of leading plumbing manufacturers are given in this article.
What's wrong with an acrylic surface?
It is important to carefully read the manufacturer’s recommendations after purchasing a bathtub. The fact is that many companies provide a guarantee for acrylic coating and all kinds of equipment only if certain rules are observed.
Thus, sometimes the instructions indicate that the warranty begins to apply only after installation of the product by a responsible employee of the company from which it was purchased. It turns out that if you install it yourself, you can lose the 10-year warranty.
Another feature that you should definitely pay attention to before starting to use the bath is the manufacturer’s recommendations for its operation. It is this section that needs to be carefully studied so that in the future you do not lose the product and the guarantee that the problem will be corrected at the expense of the seller.
A polymer bathing container is significantly different from its steel and cast iron counterparts - it requires a more careful attitude. Especially if the acrylic layer is very thin.
The acrylic thicket is afraid of fire, hot water, aggressive chemicals, prickly and sharp things and other troubles.To extend its life, you need to carefully monitor your actions in relation to the acrylic bathtub.
In addition, manufacturers are categorically against bathing animals in the bowl - it should only be used for personal hygiene. Therefore, scratches from claws that spoil the appearance of the product are not covered under warranty.
The way out of the situation is to have a special bedding for your pet’s water treatments. It can be a soft thick towel or a silicone mat. Before bathing, it should be placed on the bottom of the bath. True, such a device will not protect against scratches on the sides.
Home care
To prevent the bathtub from losing its impeccable glossy shine, it should be washed regularly and cleaned with special products. Some of the options offered by the market are quite expensive. Therefore, thrifty housewives prefer to use homemade products to wash the bowl from various types of contaminants.
Washing with folk remedies
In order to save money when purchasing special products for caring for plumbing fixtures at home, various tricks and even products are used. If you decide to borrow this method of getting rid of dirt in your bathroom, you should pay attention to the features and characteristics of acrylic.
The following options should absolutely not be used to remove stains, stone, rust and other contaminants from a polymer bath:
- boiling water or steam;
- washing powder;
- metal scraper;
- chlorine, formaldehyde;
- alcohol, oxalic acid;
- various solvents.
All this will help get rid of not only dirt, but also the acrylic layer. Even 6 mm bathtub coating is deformed by boiling water. Moreover, you need to carefully monitor the temperature of the hot water - it should not exceed 60-70°C.
Among the home methods and means for cleaning plumbing fixtures, there are ones that are quite safe for acrylic surfaces. These include weak solutions of citric acid, a solution with soda, toothpaste, and acetic acid.
According to reviews from many housewives who have tried traditional methods of dealing with dirt on the surface of an acrylic bathtub, they do not always live up to expectations.
As owners of cast acrylic products note, the use of sponges with a hard surface does not leave marks on the surface of such products. But for washing cheaper models with a 2 mm layer of acrylic, it’s not worth the risk.
Bath cleaning technology
To maintain the external shine of the acrylic coating, it is enough to regularly care for the product. After completing the water procedures, you should wipe the surface of the bath with a sponge with soapy water, Fairy or other dishwashing detergent.
After 2-5 minutes, rinse everything off with water and wipe dry. But this is not always possible - in the morning after taking a shower you have to run to work, and there is no time left to take care of the bath.
In practice, all procedures are performed, as a rule, once a weekend. And it can be quite difficult to deal with a week’s plaque—you have to make every effort to wash everything off, especially when there are a lot of salts and other impurities in the water.
To keep your bath sparkling clean, you should periodically perform the following procedures:
- every evening, wash with soapy water, rinse and wipe the surface dry;
- use a special polymer care product once a week;
- rub the surface with polish intended for acrylic once every 2 weeks;
- for a Jacuzzi - disinfect and wash hydromassage equipment Once a month or two;
- remove stains immediately after they form;
- Rub out scratches as they appear using a repair kit.
To clean hydromassage equipment, it is better to use special disinfectants. Using a chlorine solution is dangerous - the acrylic coating of a particular bathtub may react poorly. As a result, you will have to buy a new bathtub.
There is no special need to disinfect a bathing container without additional equipment - it is enough to regularly use a cleaning emulsion/cream or gel intended for acrylic.
The technology for high-quality maintenance of an acrylic bathtub consists of a number of sequential processes.
It is quite convenient to wipe an acrylic bathtub with a cotton cloth. It perfectly absorbs small droplets remaining on the surface and does not leave streaks.
Useful care tips
If you adhere to the rules for using an acrylic bathtub, then problems with the coating, as well as minor scratches, will not arise. But unfortunately, it is not always possible to follow the recommendations.
Firstly, pets - it is not always possible to provide your pets with a separate washing room. So we have to put up with them in one bathroom, using an acrylic bathtub as a container for bathing animals and for taking water treatments for all family members.
Therefore, you should purchase a repair kit in advance or self-leveling acrylicso that it is at hand at the right time.
Secondly, you need to be extremely careful when cleaning faucets - choose a product that will be safe for the bath. After all, random drops of aggressive liquid can spoil the impeccable gloss of acrylic.
Third, be sure to use protective gloves - any, even the most harmless, product can harm the delicate skin of your hands.
FourthWhen purchasing a new acrylic cleaner, it is advisable to test it on a small piece of the bathtub to make sure it does not damage the acrylic layer of the bathtub.
Fifthly- if you need to fill a basin or bucket made of metal or plastic with water, then it is better to place it on the floor and, using a shower head, fill it.
At sixth, if colored splashes get on the acrylic surface of the bowl, for example, when washing off hair dye, children's gouache or other colorful substance, you should immediately remove them using your arsenal of bath detergents. A stubborn stain will be much more difficult to remove than a fresh one.
Useful tips will help you avoid many problems and maintain the attractiveness of your bathtub.
At choosing special means you need to pay attention that it is a substance in the form of a cream, gel, oil, suspension or liquid. Moreover, there should be no solid inclusions, aggressive acids or solvents in the composition of the correct acrylic care product.
Another important tip is to choose the type of product that matches the nature of the contamination. So, a gel to combat limescale is unlikely to cope with rusty water stains.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Useful care tips in the video:
The video will show you how to properly care for acrylic bathtubs:
Testing folk remedies for plaque and rust stains in the video:
Having learned more about the features of your favorite acrylic bathtub, you can calmly choose the most appropriate option for caring for its surface.
It is important to choose “soft” and effective products that can remove all kinds of contaminants. Moreover, timely maintenance and cleaning will help maintain the attractiveness of the product for the next 10 years.
Tell us what products and methods you use to care for your acrylic bathtub. Share useful information with readers or ask questions that interest you. The comment box is located below.
We have had an acrylic bathtub installed in our home for seven years. Its surface does not look as perfect and attractive as before. I was looking for a way to bring plumbing fixtures back to life, or at least a method of proper care. I bought special products: now the bathtub looks much better, but it is still far from its previous state. I'll try to return it to its original qualities, maybe it will work, if not, then I'll have to buy a new one.
Well, you are, of course, in vain. Don’t rush to change, try calling professional bathtub restoration specialists. They will almost certainly be able to restore your bathtub to its original appearance. In general, acrylic products, unlike steel or cast iron, can be restored in the vast majority of cases, this is one of their advantages. Let us note that prevention greatly extends the life of the bathroom; it should not be neglected.
There’s definitely no need to rush into replacing an acrylic bathtub. The surface of this equipment requires constant maintenance. When it comes to chemicals, I only sometimes use Domestos, but I try to use folk remedies. Citric acid will help deal with rust stains, and vinegar diluted in warm water will return the bathtub to its original appearance. It is not at all necessary to call home craftsmen.