People will spend a lot of time in their bathrooms, whether they like it or not. Aside from being a place to clean one’s body, the bathroom can also feel like a safe haven. For example, in a shower, one can stand naked, thinking about his problems or his next business move. Self-care enthusiasts may also consider spending some quality alone time in the bathtub with warm water or with hot water and sipping a drink and watching a movie. Depending on their confidence levels, this is even where people are comfortable looking at their insecurities or checking themselves out in the mirror.
When considering all of the things and thoughts that go on in there, the importance of the bathroom cannot be overstated. A fantastic bathroom can be a great asset to one’s home because it can improve one’s lifestyle and impress guests and in-laws.
If your bathtub was not used for a long time, the bathtub needs to be cleaned. It’s a chore that looms large, usually because the tub itself looms large in any bathroom. It also appears to necessitate a lot of scrubbing, leaning over, and generally contorting yourself into a few odd positions. While cleaning the bathtub will never be completely painless, there are some tricks you can use to make it easier to have a clean bathtub and keep it shiny for a longer period of time.
Before you begin cleaning, you might need to determine first determine the type of finish on your tub. Porcelain, enamel, acrylic, or fiberglass are the most common tub finishes. It’s one of the latter two if the finish looks like plastic. If your tub is made of a unique material, such as stone or copper, consult the manufacturer for cleaning instructions to learn how to clean from top to bottom.
There are numerous cleansers on the market to clean the tub with, as well as popular homemade solutions. The best alternative to clean a bathtub with a paste that is made out of equal parts of warm water and a cup of baking soda and let it sit for a few minutes is suitable for any type of tub and works particularly well on soap scum.
Aside from that, the finish of the tub influences what you use. For a porcelain finish, which is by far the toughest surface, you have more options to clean the tub with, with vinegar-based solution. A mixture of a bit of Dawn with vinegar and a scrub pad does a pretty good job on tub soap scum. Microfiber rags and water work well on a clean tub.
And if you choose a commercial cleanser, read the label carefully, because even a few seemingly gentle lotion-like cleansers can be abrasive. A cleanser with a mildly abrasive component is appropriate for porcelain and enamel finishes. Acrylic tubs scratch easily, so only use nonabrasive cleaning products on them.
Acrylic. Acrylic finishes win in this category because the finish itself repels stains. If you have soap scum and build-up stain on an acrylic or fiberglass surface, use 12 to 23 cups of clear dish soap mixed with 2 cups of hot water to remove it. If that doesn’t work, make a paste of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide or a cup of baking soda and warm water, but test it first in a low-visibility area and let it sit for a few minutes. Some swear by using an inexpensive plain white toothpaste (no brightening agents or added features) to remove the build-up stains and soap scum.
Enamel. Enamel finishes are also more delicate and will be stained by bleach. Instead, use the same solutions as described above for an acrylic finish.
Porcelain. For years, bleach has been a go-to stain remover for porcelain tubs, but it can eventually wear down the finish. Begin with a baking soda and water solution. For soap scum, a dishwashing liquid solution works well. If the stain is caused by hard water, make a solution of vinegar and water and spray it on the stain. You may need to use a commercial rust remover to remove rust stains.
If none of these work on a porcelain finish, a pumice stone, Magic Eraser, or commercial stain remover would be the next step. To save wear and tear on the finishes, begin with the least abrasive options. Some stains, particularly on older tubs with worn or damaged finishes, may never be removed. In that case, reglazing might be a viable option.
Caution: Never mix bleach and ammonia.
It’s time to face the tub once you’ve decided on a cleanser. Begin by removing everything from the edges to create a clean slate.
After that, you need to treat any stains. Then, using your preferred cleanser, apply the paste in a circular motion or spray the cleanser into the tub and on the entire surface, beginning at the rim of the tub and working your way down. And let it sit for a few minutes, and clean the surface of the bathroom.
After the cleanser has had time to work for a few minutes, scrub the tub’s sides and bottom, beginning at the top and working your way down. Choose a soft or microfiber cloth for the least abrasive approach. Or if you have a soft-bristled scrub brush or one of the longer-handled shower and tub scrubbers designed to relieve back strain are other options.
If you have an acrylic tub, use a nylon cloth or scrubber to avoid scratching the surface. Cleaning around the drain and other tight surfaces are made easier with an old toothbrush.
The next step is to thoroughly rinse the tub, either with the shower nozzle or with a bucket of clean water down the drain. This practice is frequently overlooked but crucial. While leaving a cleanser on for an hour is acceptable, leaving it on for a week can permanently damage the finish of the tub. Also, clean and rinse the shower doors to remove down the overspray from the cleanser.
And finally, thoroughly dry the entire tub with a clean, soft cloth (microfiber works well) so that it shines.
Perhaps the most important step in maintaining a clean tub is what you do after cleaning to minimize future problems, particularly the ever-present soap scum. All experts agree that wiping down the tub and drying it after each use goes a long way toward keeping it looking good — and reducing your cleaning time is the best way to clean.
And switch to a bath gel because the talc in bar soap creates the scum. But if you feel like not switching, use a hard soap instead.
When it comes to purchasing a new home or remodeling an existing one, the bathroom should be one of the top priorities because it can significantly improve the lives of those who use it. A family should invest in rooms that are used on a daily basis, which is why bathroom interior design and having a clean and shiny bathtub are critical for having a luxury home that can make everyone feel great and comfortable.
Trends come and go, but the ones listed here have stood the test of time and will look fantastic in your bathroom this year. Go get a house and lot for sale from Brittany Corporation and feel free to make all of your luxury bathrooms dreams a reality.
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