Acrylic bathtub care cleaning. Top tips for caring for an acrylic bathtub

Acrylic itself is very resistant to wear, prevents the growth of microbes, and its surface has dirt-repellent properties. However, despite all these qualities, regular care of this material is necessary.

In this article we will tell you how to care for an acrylic bathtub so that it lasts as long as possible and looks like new.

Caring for an acrylic bathtub should be extremely careful

Properties of acrylic

Acrylic bathtubs just recently appeared on the market: about 10 years ago. They are successfully used, firmly entrenched in our everyday life. At the same time, cast iron and steel bathtubs are noticeably inferior in competitive ability.

This is due to the numerous positive properties of acrylic, for example:

pros

An acrylic bathtub is quite light compared to a cast iron one. This is an important fact during its transportation and installation;
Due to good flexibility of this material, can be of the most unpredictable and varied shapes and sizes. This makes their selection easier and simplifies the work of designers;
You can choose the desired shade of an acrylic bathtub. The color of the bathtub is set during production, which is why it does not lose its brightness;

Acrylic bathtub in pistachio shade - original design

Acrylic has thermal insulating properties, therefore in acrylic bath Hot water lasts long enough;
Acrylic has antibacterial properties;
The acrylic bathtub is durable and quite durable.

Minuses

The material is susceptible mechanical damage, therefore you should use the bathtub as carefully as possible and not drop anything into it;
When caring for an acrylic bathtub, it is not recommended to use chlorine-containing products, due to the fact that acrylic is not resistant to chemicals..

Please note: Based on the qualities of acrylic, we can say that the care of such a bathtub, first of all, should be regular and its operation should be gentle.

How to care for an acrylic bathtub

To begin with, it must be said that the conditions for caring for a bathroom in our country are somewhat different from the conditions in other countries. This is due to the quality of the water we use.

In this regard, we will need to carry out actions more carefully and regularly.

It is necessary to use only liquid care products for acrylic surfaces. These preparations should not contain abrasive substances that can scratch the delicate structure of this material;

Cleaning the bathtub from unwanted contaminants

Please note: When caring for an acrylic bathtub, it is not recommended to use sponges and brushes with coarse bristles; they can damage the surface.

The material from which the sponge is made must be delicate.

The shine of the surface can be restored using a soft cloth., soaked in furniture polish;
Stubborn stains can be removed using household products, which are intended for smooth surfaces;
Two or three times a month it is necessary to carefully use special detergents, of which there are a large number of. Instructions for use are written on the packaging.

Tip: When cleaning the surface of the bathtub, do not forget about the safety rules: wear protective gloves. If the drug accidentally gets into your eyes, rinse them with plenty of water.

Popular cleaning products for acrylic bathtubs. They have a creamy consistency that will not damage the surface of the bathtub and will clean it perfectly.

To avoid the formation of rust on the surface of the bathtub, you need to tighten the taps tightly.

Regular bathroom care – hygiene and cleanliness

Tip: Do not use products containing chlorine, acids or acetone.

It is recommended to bathe animals by protecting the bottom of the bath with a mat. You will avoid unwanted scratches, and the surface will not slip.

Please note: It is not advisable to place metal accessories (basins, buckets) in the bathtub. They will damage the surface. If necessary, it is better to use plastic items.

Each time after using the bathtub, it should be cleaned with a mild detergent and rinsed with plenty of water..
Next, wipe the bath with a dry towel and leave it like that until next use.
Don't despair if you find a few superficial scratches. They can be easily cleaned with fine-grained sandpaper..
Next, these places are simply polished with liquid detergent.

Please note: The principles for caring for a cast iron bathtub are the same as for caring for an acrylic bathtub. If you want to extend the life of your bathtub, it must be maintained regularly.

conclusions

IN modern world, each of us strives for comfort, coziness and cleanliness. To keep your bath looking shiny and hygienic, you need to take proper care of it. If you follow all the above recommendations, your bath will shine and sparkle with cleanliness.

Baths are an essential attribute in every home. When you purchase an acrylic bathtub, two things immediately appear: exciting issues: How should it be cleaned, and how to remove scratches?

Most housewives are sure that to care for such a bathroom it will be necessary to purchase only products special for this material. This assumption is erroneous in its own way, this opinion was instilled in the consumer by capitalists, they strive to sell their goods that are not needed at all. :)

In this article we will offer you answers to your questions, you will know: “How to properly care for an acrylic bathtub, and you will also find out which washing products can be used for cleaning and which are strictly prohibited.” In addition to everything, several secrets in repairs and minor breakdowns will be brought to your attention. acrylic bathtub.

What can't be used?

One drawback of this item is the unreliable coating; one might say that the bathroom has practically no protection. This is why acrylic bathtubs are easily scratched and various damage from detergents. Acrylic bathtubs quickly fade and change color when using the “wrong” detergents.

What products should not be used to care for an acrylic bathtub:

It is strictly forbidden to use washing powders and detergents that contain fine abrasives to clean the bathtub. When small grains are present in detergents, they create scratches on an acrylic bathtub, and you can simply get rid of them at home, but it is better not to damage the bathtub;
Also, experts never recommend using chlorine to clean your bathtub. Often owners have a desire to disinfect the bathtub using this tool. But you don't need to do this! If this happens and you still want to use chlorine or it is contained in any detergent, this will lead to the surface in the bathroom becoming cloudy. If repeated cleaning with chlorine is carried out, the bathroom will most likely become covered with small pores;
It is also strictly not recommended to use acetone and other solvents, all of which have a detrimental effect on the texture of the bathroom. And also if acetone is long time come into contact with an acrylic bathtub, this will cause a hole to appear in that place. This is because the solvent will eat away at the acrylic;
If you use ammonia, the bath reaction will be the same as with acetone;
Formaldehyde is also prohibited from being used to clean the bath; acrylic does not accept this material.

Important points to consider

The most important rule when using an acrylic bathtub is to avoid the greatest contamination; everything must be done on time, so cleaning must be timely. After you take a bath, you need to rinse it off hot water, this way you take care of it and prevent large contaminations, which in the future need more and more attention.
With prolonged use of an acrylic bath, of course, small traces of contamination appear; they can be removed with a sponge and ordinary soap.

Little secret!!! If you rinse the bathtub with hot water, it will retain its shine and gloss for a long time.

When very noticeable traces of rust or limescale then you should use special means that will help get rid of these unpleasant moments.

If you want to save money, you can use vinegar or lemon juice to get rid of unpleasant dirt.

Very important point!!! Any cleaning product that will be applied to an acrylic bathtub should be wiped with a soft cloth or sponge. In this case, there must be no abrasive layer on the sponge, otherwise it may cause new scratches.

A little secret!!! If you use a certain detergent, you should not immediately begin to completely clean the bathtub; you need to try it on a hidden area of acrylic in order to check its properties and make sure that it will not cause harm.

Scratches can be removed!

Acrylic on its own unique material, which, in addition to being scratched very easily and quickly, is also easy to repair this damage. In order to get rid of these small or even shallow scratches, the size of which is almost a millimeter. You can use an ordinary piece of felt. Surprisingly, this method does not require any special product, paste or any other device.

When the scratch is very deep, it can only be eliminated with liquid acrylic. Moreover, you can do this yourself without calling a specialist and without paying a lot of money for repairs. All you have to do is go to a hardware store and buy a special repair kit, which will include a small tube of cream, as well as a special plastic spatula. Acrylic from this tube is squeezed out onto the damaged area and evenly leveled using a spatula, then polished with a piece of felt.

When repairing a damaged surface, the bathtub does not change its structure and there is practically no difference in color. This method of removing scratches is also suitable for eliminating through gaps in an acrylic bathtub.

In order to eliminate the gap in the bathtub, you will need to reverse side attach the tape, then fill the gap with liquid acrylic from a tube. If the through gap in the bathtub is located on the side of the bathtub, the repair will take a little longer, since several stages of surface restoration will be required.

Acrylic bathtubs come in two types: ordinary and hydromassage. In case you have hydromassage bath it needs to be cleaned not only the bath itself, but also the nozzles and pipes. Since they quickly accumulate a huge number of microbes and bacteria that need to be fought. Stores sell special disinfectants for hot tubs. Chlorine is also not suitable in this case. If the consumer is attentive and has noticed that it still contains chlorine, but its content in this disinfectant is very small, so it is gentle on the acrylic bathtub and its components.

In order to clean the acrylic bathtub and all its additional elements for hydromassage, you need to fill the bath to a certain limit and turn it on in normal operating mode, while adding disinfectant. This way the entire bathtub and its tubes with nozzles are cleaned. It will take no more than 20 minutes to clean an acrylic whirlpool bathtub. After it has been disinfected, you need to refill the bath clean water, this is necessary in order to finally rinse the nozzles and tubes of detergents.

The main and almost the only disadvantage of acrylic bathtubs is caring for an acrylic bathtub: the coating is very unstable to micro-scratches. But, since sales of acrylic bathtubs are not declining, it’s worth figuring out how to maintain this magnificent bathtub so that you don’t feel painfully sorry for wasted money.

Meet the acrylic bathtub

Fifteen to twenty years ago, if it was necessary to change a bathtub, the thought of choosing anything other than cast iron did not occur to most users. But now a new product has appeared on the plumbing fixtures market. Bathtubs that are distinguished by their beautiful appearance: dazzling glossy white, and later in all kinds of bright colors - from soft pistachio to ultramarine. And the ability to build in a hydromassage - you lie in the bathtub with bubbles all around. And, most importantly, these are, of course, shapes: drop, shell, round, with shelves, niches, seats...

In comparison with the laconic and familiar rectangular cast iron basins - what a riot of shapes and fluid plasticity. Yes, exactly plastics. All this sanitary splendor is possible only with an acrylic bathtub. To be precise, bathtubs are made of polymethyl methacrylate, or - the more common name - plexiglass. The popularity of acrylic bathtubs continues unabated, with obvious advantages - attractive appearance, controversial ones began to be added - for example, low weight compared to cast iron and the ability to mount it with your own hands, alone.

Coating features

Reference: Polymethylmethacrylate is produced in two ways: injection and extrusion. The material obtained by extrusion is less durable; its sheets, due to technological features production, thinner, and resistance to chemical influences below. But production is cheaper. For plumbing polymethyl methacrylate, material produced by both methods is used, and as a result, bathtubs made from extruded acrylic are cheaper. Another feature is that cast acrylic is more rigid and less easy to mold. Therefore, extruded plastic is used to make bathtubs with bizarre shapes.

What an acrylic bathtub is afraid of - a lot of things:

High temperature;
Boiling water poured into an acrylic bath causes its deformation; an accidentally dropped cigarette can melt a hole;
Mechanical scratches;
Clawed pets should not be washed in acrylic bathtubs. You should not use the bathtub as a basin for washing clothes: the surface can be scratched by metal parts on clothes, and laundry detergents can be dangerous for acrylic;
Impact of some chemical substances and connections;

Substances hazardous to acrylic include:

dichloroethane - found in plastic solvents and aerosol insecticides;
chloroform - used in the pharmaceutical industry, for the production of dyes, pesticides;
methylene chloride - included in nail polishes and used for the production of instant coffee;
butanol alcohol - in paint and varnish products and solvents;
methanol alcohol - used as solvents;
ethanol alcohol - well, everything is clear here: medical alcohol, alcohol of all types, as well as kvass, kefir, kumiss, perfumes and cosmetics, including shampoos and toothpastes.

Important! This is just a small list of chemicals that are quite common in everyday life. And they can damage the delicate surface of the bathtub if it is accidentally spilled on it, or if it is used in an attempt to clean the surface of dirt. Read the ingredients carefully household chemicals, or better yet, use special acrylic care products to clean acrylic bathtubs.

Fighting rust

The scourge of acrylic bathtubs is the yellow streaks left by water dripping from the tap. This is rust. How to care for an acrylic bathtub so that it's disgusting yellow spots didn’t spoil the snow-white curly sides? It is very difficult to combat it on the surface of an acrylic bathtub, which cannot be cleaned mechanically. Better preventive measures: water filters that retain, among other things, iron, and working faucets from which water does not leak.

Lime deposits

If in your region hard water, your acrylic bathtub will face another misfortune: lime deposits, and you will have to choose another acrylic bathtub care product that can cope with lime deposits on the walls of acrylic impatiens.

Scratches

As mentioned above, the surface of an acrylic bathtub is very easily scratched. Both large and microscopic scratches appear that are not visible to the eye. But the glossy shine of the surface of the acrylic bathtub, which was so seductive when purchasing, disappears very quickly. And microscratches are filled with dirt. But there is good news: the surface of acrylic can be restored quite easily. True, there is also a bad thing: this only applies to expensive baths from cast acrylic.

Disinfection

Plumbing acrylic is completely indifferent to bacteria and microorganisms. They don’t live on it, apparently because they don’t like it. Therefore, there is no point in specially disinfecting an acrylic bathtub.

The easiest way to maintain acrylic bathtubs is to wash them regularly after use. Then for cleaning you will not need to use harsh methods that can damage and ruin the surface of the bath. To decide whether to buy an acrylic bathtub, read reviews.

Acrylic bathtubs are increasingly replacing metal ones in our apartments. You can argue for a long time about the pros and cons of an acrylic bathtub, but it always remains relevant main question– how to care for it so that it lasts as long as possible?

Acrylic is highly wear resistant. The surface of this material successfully repels dirt and microorganisms do not multiply on it. Still, caring for an acrylic bathtub is necessary. We'll tell you how to do it correctly:

What should you exclude when caring for your bathroom?

1. Never clean such a bathtub with washing powder! Other cleaning products that contain abrasive particles are also not suitable - they can scratch the surface and make it dull.

2. Do not use products such as ammonia, acetone or products that contain them. Ammonia and acetone - worst enemies acrylic

3. Products containing formaldehyde or formic acid are also not suitable. If you need to remove stubborn stains, use liquid detergent or toothpaste.

What is useful for cleaning an acrylic bathtub?

By visiting any store that sells plumbing fixtures, you can purchase special products for caring for acrylic surfaces. If you prefer universal detergents, remember the following rules:

1. Wipe the surface every day soft cloth, to which a neutral cleaning agent should be applied.

2. The best choice– liquid cleaning devices.

3. Let the detergent remain on the surface for a few minutes, then rinse the area warm water.

4. To prevent acrylic from fading, use wax polish and a soft cloth.

The biggest damage to an acrylic bathtub can be caused by rust. To prevent its occurrence, you must always ensure that the taps are tightly closed. Otherwise, yellow, ugly tracks will appear on the walls. Already appeared? So, buy it in the store special remedy, designed to remove rust from acrylic surfaces. Once a month, carry out preventive treatment of the bathtub surface with this product.

Put away water stone easy if you take citric acid or vinegar. It is enough to dissolve a packet of acid in a bathtub filled with hot water. After two hours, drain the water and rinse the bathtub with running water. Finally, take a soft cloth and wipe the bathtub dry so as not to leave streaks or stains on its walls.

And one more piece of advice: do not place basins, buckets and other heavy metal objects in your bathtub. Better buy a pair plastic containers so as not to scratch the surface of the acrylic. Bathing a cat or other in the bath pet, lay down a rubber mat to protect the acrylic from sharp claws. Finally, forget about soaking your laundry in the bath - washing powder, as well as bleaching agents, can cause severe damage to the surface.

An acrylic bathtub is convenient, stylish, comfortable and inexpensive. That is why more and more people prefer acrylic bathtubs to products made from other materials. One of the main advantages of acrylic is its lightness. If desired, an acrylic bathtub can be moved independently - its weight does not exceed 30 kg. In its turn cast iron bath you will have to pull with the efforts of several adult men.

An acrylic bathtub fits any interior - thanks to the plasticity of the material, acrylic can be used to make products of any shape and color. Acrylic, moreover, has poor thermal conductivity. Which means a full bath hot water It will take longer to cool down, which is important. An acrylic bathtub is very pleasant to the touch - it has a smooth, even surface. If necessary, if the bathtub is scratched or damaged, the defect can be eliminated by treating the area with liquid acrylic.

To be fair, I would like to note that acrylic also has its disadvantages. One of the main ones is the impossibility of cleaning it with abrasive detergents. Any aggressive components can destroy the acrylic surface. To keep your appearance as long as possible new bath, you need to know how to care for it.

How not to clean an acrylic bathtub

Before you start cleaning your plumbing, it is important to outline how you should definitely not do it. When cleaning the bathtub, never use hard sponges or abrasive cleaners. The smallest particles leave scratches on the surface of the bathtub, which spoil the appearance of the product. Of course, you can subsequently polish the bathtub and get rid of unpleasant scratches, but this is a very long and painstaking task. And in general, it’s better to prevent trouble than to fix it.

Do not use any chlorine-containing detergents. Chlorine has a very aggressive effect on acrylic, the surface darkens and becomes porous. The same effect is obtained when cleaning the bathtub with products containing ammonia, acetone and formaldehyde. Be careful when choosing acrylic cleaning products.

How to clean an acrylic bathtub

When purchasing a detergent for cleaning an acrylic bathtub, it is best to find a label on the packaging confirming that the composition is safe for acrylic. Today, almost any detergent manufacturer has bath cleaning gels in their line.

To begin with, the bathtub is watered with warm water to prepare it for the upcoming cleaning.
The selected product is applied pointwise to several places on the surface of the bathtub, as well as on a soft cloth. Never use sponges, especially hard ones.
It is best to carry out manipulations in rubber gloves so that the detergent does not dry out the skin.
After this, you need to wipe every centimeter with a rag. acrylic surface, thoroughly cleaning all contaminants.
If there are difficult stains or traces of rust on the surface of your bathtub, they can be removed using household acid - vinegar or lemon juice. Pour vinegar, freshly squeezed lemon juice or dissolved citric acid onto the stain. Leave for 15-20 minutes, then rub with a cloth. The procedure can be repeated several times until the acrylic is completely cleansed.
If vinegar and lemon acid If they don't help, you can use alcohol. It also perfectly removes some types of stains.
After thorough cleaning, you need to leave the bath for an hour and then rinse off the soapy mixture.
After washing, wipe the bathtub dry, after which it can be used for its intended purpose.

This washing algorithm will allow you to clean the bathtub from various contaminants and not damage the acrylic surface.

There are some nuances, the observance of which will allow you to preserve the shine and cleanliness of your acrylic bathtub for many years.

Heavy contamination should not be allowed - order should not be restored, but maintained. With timely cleaning, you will not have to resort to special detergents. It is enough to lightly wipe the bathtub with a soapy cloth once a week to make it shine like new.
An acrylic bathtub does not require abrasive cleaning agents, not because they damage its surface, but because acrylic does not need it. The special surface simply does not allow dirt to be absorbed into the structure of the material; the stain remains on the surface and is easily removed.
If you regularly rinse your bathtub with hot water, it will maintain the shine of its polished finish.
Before cleaning the bathtub with any household chemicals, first apply a little soap to the small area baths. This will allow you to check the reaction of the surface to the components of the detergent.
To prevent rust stains from forming on the surface of the bathtub, repair all faucets and close them tightly.
To restore the lost shine of the acrylic surface, wipe the bathtub special composition for polishing furniture. It will hide all the smallest scratches and instantly transform the surface.
If you bathe animals in the bathtub, be sure to place a rubber mat on the bottom to protect the surface from scratches from claws.
Do not place metal basins or buckets in the bathtub to avoid damaging the surface. It is best to use plastic containers.

How to get rid of scratches on acrylic

It is not always possible to protect the bathtub from damage. Careless fall metal objects or overzealous cleaning may cause scratches on the acrylic surface. But this can also be dealt with.

Scratches on acrylic appear as easily as they are removed. Therefore, you should not worry too much about them. Minor scratches less than a millimeter deep can be easily removed using a regular piece of felt, without special grouting agents. Take the felt and rub it on the scratches until they become invisible. This usually doesn't take much time.

Deep scratches and damage can be repaired using liquid acrylic. It is sold in construction and hardware stores and is a paste. Liquid acrylic is applied to the surface of the bathtub according to the instructions, after which you need to wait for it to dry completely. Then the surface of the bath is polished with the same felt to achieve a smooth and even layer. Liquid acrylic can be not only white - you can easily choose the shade that suits your bathtub.

An acrylic bathtub can be repaired even if you have a hole through it. But only if your bathtub is made of pure acrylic, and not plastic coated with acrylic. To do this, the back side of the bathtub is sealed with tape to secure it. Then with inside applied liquid acrylic so as to fill the hole. After it hardens, the surface is leveled and polished. You can perform this procedure yourself; you don’t have to call a specialist for this.

Bath acrylic is modern, durable and comfortable material, allowing you to implement the most daring design solutions. Proper care for an acrylic bathtub will allow you to preserve its beauty and shine for many years.