Do you have a newly reglazed bathtub? If so, congratulations! But now the work begins. This blog post is here to help. It will provide you with some simple steps that will allow you to maintain your new bathtub for years to come. Follow these tips and tricks, and your bathroom should look great for years to come!
Why Do You Have to Maintain Your Bathtubs?
The reglazing process uses high heat to melt the glaze onto your tub. It creates a seal over the bathtub’s surface, which makes it waterproof and easy to clean. But like any new piece of glass or porcelain, you need to treat it carefully for some time after installation. If not, you might end up with permanent stains on your bathroom floor that are difficult to remove.
Maintaining your newly reglazed bathtubs is very important because, without proper care, they would become filthy and difficult, if not impossible, to clean properly. Maintaining them is simple! You have to follow four steps:
- Keep it dry and clean
- Avoid spilling anything on the surface of the tub
- Use water instead of soap when cleaning it
- Clean with neutral soap from time to time
If you follow these steps correctly, your bathtub should remain free of most stains so you can enjoy a pleasant and shiny tub for years to come!
How to Maintain Your Resurfaced Bathtub
Avoid using a bath mat or suction cup appliques on the surface of your tub to keep the coating in good condition. If the suction cups are used improperly, they may cause damage to the protective layer, voiding your warranty. If you choose a non-slip bath mat that does not have suction cups, you should only use it in the bathtub, and you should consider removing it from the tub after each use and hanging it to dry afterward.
Use Mild Cleansers
Scrubbing pads and abrasive cleaners will scratch the new surface of your bathtub, voiding the warranty. Avoid using harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia and abrasive cleaners such as Comet or Soft Scrub. These cleaners have the potential to scratch or remove paint from a surface and dull it.
To clean instead, use only mild cleaners such as dish soap or Bar Keeper’s Friend (liquid soap is acceptable). Only soft cloths should be used for cleaning purposes. A car wash mitt is an excellent choice for cleaning your tub because it is soft and can quickly get into the grooves without scratching the surface.
Clean After Each Use
After each use, you should be cleaning your bathtub to avoid soap buildup or stains that require scrubbing and rinsing with soap (which you cannot do). Once it has been rinsed, all that is left to do is wipe it down with a clean cloth. Please remove any remaining residue by wiping it down with the liquid soap every week.
To reduce the likelihood of mold or mildew growth in the tub after each use, use a squeegee to wipe the water out if you’re feeling particularly motivated.
Keep Metal Out of the Tub
It is best not to drop any metal objects into the tub. They will scratch the surface, which may have an impact on your warranty.
It is also recommended that you avoid throwing metallic particles or balls into the bathtub as well. The balls can fall through the drain holes and damage the protective coating that surrounds them if they do so. Before bathing in them, make sure to remove all traces of plants, jewelry, costume jewelry, rings, belts, and so on, especially if you have children who enjoy playing with their bath toys!
Always Drain Your Tub Completely
Draining your reglazed bathtub entirely after each use is a critical step in keeping it in good condition. Leaving any water in the tub traps moisture, which creates a pleasantly warm environment for mold and mildew growth, which can permanently etch or dull the surface of your brand-new bathtub.
Avoid Using Soap
Please do not use any soaps or shampoos when bathing in your bathtub, as they increase the chance of damage to the protective coating. Instead, you should wash with water after rinsing off. This is especially important if you have children who are likely to leave residue on the surface after using soap in the tub.
Cleaning Routine
Maintaining your bathtub is very easy. After every use, you should wipe down the tub’s surface using a clean cloth with just water on it. If an area needs some extra attention due to soap scum buildup, gently scrub it with liquid soap on a soft cloth or car wash mitt.
Use Non-Stick Mats
Bath mats in the tub can prevent children from slipping and falling if you have small children. Make sure that if you decide to use one of these mats, it does not have any suction cups on it. When the mat is removed, the suction can cause the tub’s finish to be pulled away from the tub. The suction can also keep the carpet close to the tub, trapping water and creating an environment conducive to mold and mildew development. Once mold or mildew has developed in your tub, it will be difficult to clean it without causing damage to it.
It would be best if you never dried your bath mat or towels by hanging them over the side of your tub or shower stall. The presence of water could aid mold growth.
Keep Pets Out of the Tub
Pets should be taught to avoid dropping metal objects in the tub, just as you should. Jumping in and out of the bathtub with their claws can scratch the surface as well. If at all possible, place placemats or a rubber mat at each exit point to prevent damage from occurring due to clawing at the carpet while exiting and entering the tub.
Refinished Bathtub Maintenance DON'Ts
There are several things that you should never do following reglazing.
Abrasives Should Not Be Used
As a rule, abrasives include harsh or rough cleaners, as well as difficult sponges such as Scotch-Brite pads, steel wool soap pads, or sponges that have an abrasive layer on one side. Abrasives also include sponges that have an abrasive layer on one side. Using bleach or ammonia-based products, as recommended by most tub refinishers and tub coating manufacturers, is also not recommended. When cleaning a reglazed tub, stay away from the following common cleaners:
- "Ajax" or "Comet", a powdered cleanser
- "Friend of the Barkeep"
- Any cleaners that contain ammonia should be avoided
- Bleach-enhanced cleaners or household bleach
- Even if they claim to be "soft," abrasive cream cleansers are still abrasive
Steam Cleaning Is Not Recommended
If you’re looking to get rid of all of that dirt and soap gunk without the use of abrasives, a scrubbing attachment for your household steam cleaner might seem like a good idea. Steam is ineffective when it comes to reglazed tub finishes, and it can quickly degrade the finish, mainly if it penetrates beneath the coating or through cracks.
Do Not Use a Power Washer
Even though it is possible to power wash old or original tile in a tub or shower, this should never be attempted on a reglazed surface because the action is too decisive for the coating to withstand. It is easy to cause peeling or other coating damage to a reglazed surface by power washing it. As a result, any warranties provided by the company that performed the work would be voided.
Do Not Use Scouring Powders or Pads on Your Reglazed Tub
Scouring powder is used by some to provide extra cleaning power. However, the scouring agent in these powders can easily damage a reglazed surface. This is because it contains abrasion particles designed to remove material from metal, glass, ceramic, etc.
Instruction on How to Clean Your Bathtub
The Tub Should Be Rinsed
Rinse the tub thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining hair and soap residue.
Cleaning Solution
Use a generous amount of your preferred cleaner to clean the tub thoroughly. Allow the cleaner to work its magic on all tub surfaces by spreading or spraying it all over the surface. If you’re going to use dish soap, pour some on the surface and spread it around with a sponge.
Allow the Cleaner to Occupy the Space
Allow approximately 5 minutes for the cleaner to complete their work—this aids in the removal of soap residue and oils that have remained on the skin. A disinfectant cleaner can also be used for a more extended period due to its increased effectiveness. (Wiping it away too quickly prevents the cleaner from disinfecting correctly.)
Abrasive-Free Scrubbing
Remove all dirt and debris from the tub’s surface using a microfiber cloth or a standard cellulose sponge (without any scouring material on either side). If the tub has a non-slip surface, use a soft nylon-bristle brush to scrub the area around the rim.
Re-Rinse
Remove any cleaner residue from the tub by thoroughly rinsing it. The latter is essential when using dish soap, as it can be extremely slippery if left on a tub surface for an extended period. It is also possible that allowing any cleaner to dry on the tub’s surface will cause damage to the finish.
Tub Should Be Completely Dry
To remove water droplets from the tub, use a soft towel or cloth to wipe the surface. After that, the finish should be buffed to a sheen similar to that of new. Even though polishing the surface after each cleaning is not required, it is a quick and effective way to restore the shine.
Conclusion
It is possible to extend the life of your refinished bathtub by cleaning it regularly. It also ensures that your tub’s coating is smooth and free of cracks, which allows it to be free of stains and discoloration in most cases. Maintaining your reglaze in pristine condition for many years is as simple as following these simple steps.
