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Cleaning Guide


Cleaning a Tub
Cleaning a Cast Iron Tub
Removing Rust Stains
Cleaning an Acrylic Tub
Cleaning a Refinished Tub
Cleaning Faucets & Fixtures


How to Clean a Tub with a Porcelain Interior

Whether your tub is new or antique, we recommend using a mild, non-abrasive cleanser for the routine cleaning of any tub with a porcelain interior. We recommend you dry the porcelain interior after each use. For tougher stains, you may use a cleanser such as Bon Ami® or ZUD®. Zud is a non-abrasive cleanser that dissolves rust, mineral stains, hard water deposits, and soap scum.

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How to Remove Rust Stains from a Tub with a Porcelain Interior

These instructions are for PORCELAIN TUBS ONLY – DO NOT use this cleaning method on a REFINISHED TUB!

Surface rust should come off with a mild cleanser. You can use a more abrasive cleaner Bon Ami® or ZUD® for tougher surface stains.

If the rust comes through the porcelain, we recommend rubbing the problem area with a damp terry cloth using a solution of 1 part muriatic acid to 1 part water. Muriatic acid is available at most hardware stores.

SAFETY NOTE: ALWAYS add acid to water, NEVER add water to acid. Wear clothing that covers exposed skin areas. Use gauntlet-style acid-resistant gloves and eye protection. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SAFE HANDLING AND DISPOSAL OF MURIATIC ACID.

The acid/water solution will start to dissolve the rust as well as a bit of the porcelain. When the rust is gone, apply baking soda to the area to stop the reaction. Wash the area with soap and water. Dry the area and then prime the exposed cast iron with a metal primer. Paint the tub with waterproof epoxy paint (like Krylon®).

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How to Clean an Acrylic Tub

Cleaning & Maintenance of your Acrastone Bathtub

The surface of an acrylic tub is very easy to keep clean; there are no pores for dirt to penetrate, so dirt will just rinse off. For sanitary purposes, you should clean your bathtub with a non-abrasive soap. Dishwashing detergent such as Joy®, Palmolive®, Ivory®, etc and a soft sponge or cloth is all that you need. If you spill something on the bathtub and need something stronger, the following are SAFE to use: Fantastic®, Tackle®, Top Job®, Formula 409®, ScrubFree®, Calgon Bath®, Windex®, Clorox Bleach®, Spiffits® Bath, Glass Plus®, and Spic & Span Powder®.

DO NOT Clean Your Acrylic Bathtub with Paint Thinner, Goof OFF®, Scrubbing Bubbles®, Acetone, Lacquer Thinner, M.E.K. ® or other chemicals that attack the structural integrity of plastics (including, but not limited to, acetones). Use of these chemicals will destroy the acrylic surface of your bathtub and there is no way to reverse the damage caused by this type of chemical reaction. Use of these chemicals will void your warranty.

If you should happen to dull, scratch or chip your bathtub, the appearance can be restored back to its new look. Scratches and dulling can be removed with a liquid polisher such as Gel-Gloss®. Deep scratches or burns can be removed with very fine sandpaper (600 grit or higher) and then finished with a liquid polish.

The complete User Guide is available online at the American Bath Factory Website.

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How to Clean a Refinished Tub

While we no longer refinish bathtubs, Vintage Tub and Bath offers these general guidelines for caring for a refinished tub. This general reference should not replace the care and cleaning instructions provided by the company that refinished your tub; always check with your refinisher if you have any specific questions or concerns.
Use the same care you would use to wash the hood of a new car. Never use abrasive cleaners! The refinished surface is non-porous; a mild, non-abrasive soap combined with a soft cloth and water will clean your tub. The best way to keep your tub clean is to wipe it down with a towel after each use.

  • Do not place soap, bottles, or any other object on the finish at any time.
  • Repair leaky faucets.
  • Do not use abrasive cleansers – this includes, but is not limited to, SOS® pads, Comet®, and Soft Scrub®.
  • If your refinished tub does not have anti-skid etchings and/or you are using an anti-skid or safety mat, use one that does not have suction cups.
  • If you are mounting your tub against a finished wall, caulk around the tub before using it.
  • You can wax your tub every four months with a urethane polish (like Turtle Wax® 2001) to maintain its luster.

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    How to Clean Faucets and Fixtures

    Many of the manufacturers featured on our website include specific cleaning instructions with their products’ installation instructions. We’ve compiled this list as a quick-reference. Most of the manufacturers offer this simple cleaning tip. Dry the faucet with a soft cloth after each use. For cleaning, use a soft cloth with a non-abrasive cleanser.

    Elizabethan Classics / Belle Foret
    Clean with a soft cloth and non-abrasive cleanser.

    Whitehaus
    Copper sinks will achieve a natural patina if you do not want the copper to patina, use a copper cleaner.

    Warmrails
    Do not use corrosive or abrasive cleansers.
    Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

    Sunrise
    Improper care and cleaning will void the warranty.
    Keep the faucets and fixtures dry.
    Use a metal polish such as Flitz®.
    Click here to search for Flitz® on eBay.
    Strom Plumbing
    Sign of the Crab/Strom Plumbing offers these specific instructions for the care of super-coated brass: Supercoated items should be wiped gently with a soft cloth after each use. Plumber's putty should not be used for installation. Use of plumber's putty, detergents, ammonia, or abrasive cleansers will void the warranty of the finish as they may cause deterioration of the coating.

    Robern
    Use a damp cloth to clean.
    Mirrors are damaged by the use of ammonia or vinegar-based cleaning agents. Use rubbing alcohol for stubborn marks.
    Do not use abrasive cleansers on any part of the cabinet.

    Banner / Woodmark
    Banner and Woodmark faucets have been coated with clear epoxy to protect the finish. The use of abrasive, mildly abrasive or chemical cleaners will remove this coating and damage the finish of the faucet. These cleansers may also damage acrylic handles and pop-up assemblies.The only cleaning recommended by Banner / Woodmark is with a soft, water-dampened cloth. Damage from the use of abrasive, mildly abrasive, or chemical cleaners (including products containing ammonia) WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.

    Delta
    Harsh abrasives cleaners will damage a Delta faucet’s finish. Use only non-abrasive cleansers. After every use or cleaning, it is best to wipe dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spotting and mineral build-up. Delta recommends that you clean and wax your faucet regularly; an aerosol furniture polish or floor past wax may be used for this purpose.Manufacturers of cleaning agents always have the prerogative of changing their formulation without notice. As a result, Delta Faucet Company does not endorse any specific cleaner. To remove hard water deposits and soap scum, use a 50/50 mix of vinegar or liquid Lysol® and water.

    Kohler
    Kohler offers these tips when caring for your Kohler products:
    Always test your cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area before applying to the entire surface.
    Wipe surfaces clean immediately after applying cleaner.
    Do not allow cleansers to sit or soak.
    Rinse completely with water after applying solution.
    Use a soft, dampened sponge or cloth.
    Never use an abrasive material such as a brush or scouring pad to clean surfaces.
    For more information about the care and cleaning of faucets visit     Kohler Faucet Cleaning .
    For more information about the care and cleaning of all Kohler products, please visit Kohler Cleaning.

    American Standard
    Rinse the faucet with clear water and dry the faucet with a soft cloth.
    For more information regarding American Standard’s care and cleaning, please visit American Standard Customer Service.

    Chicago Faucets
    Use a mild soap with water and a soft cloth.
    Do not use abrasive cleaners or cleansers; this will void the warranty on the finish.

    Herbeau Creations
    Polished Copper and Brass will naturally tarnish but these finishes can be restored to their original shine by polishing with a brass polisher. Weathered Copper and Brass finishes have already been pre-weathered through a scientific process creating a patina which will develop an even more refined look with age. Cleaning and maintenance instructions are included with every Herbeau Creations item.

    Brasstech
    Do not use the following because they are very harmful to the finish:

    Ivory Liquid soap
    Palmolive Liquid soap
    Joy Liquid soap
    Ajax Liquid soap

    Brasstech’s faucets and bath fittings are made of solid brass. To maintain the finish, please do not use any abrasive cleaners, rubbing alcohol, ammonia, detergents, brass or silver polish. These items will scratch the surface.Clean with a soft, damp cloth.
    Applying a coating of a non-abrasive liquid wax to clean the surface of the product will protect the finish. Brass ProTech, a product of Brasstech, Inc., can be used on all of Brasstech’s decorative painted and plated finishes. Brasstech recommends regularly using Brass ProTech on items finished in Polished Nickel, Satin Nickel, Polished Silver, and Satin Silver.
    Do not allow soap scum or minerals in water to build up on the surface finish of your faucets or bath fittings (including toothpaste). These will gradually wear away the protective coating or finish and diminish the beauty of your products. Weathered Brass (03W) and Weathered Copper (08W) are living finishes. Uncoated Polished Brass (03N) is an uncoated finish. Depending on maintenance and use, the finish will naturally weather and change color. Brasstech’s warranty does not cover living finishes nor does it cover uncoated finishes. Finish colors can vary and change in color is unpredictable.

    Central Brass
    Central Brass uses a heavy-duty triple plate chrome finishing process. The finish can be cleaned with most non-abrasive household cleaners or window cleaners (when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions). Rinse off any excess cleaner immediately after use to avoid water spots. If water spots to appear, they can be easily wiped off with a soft cloth moistened with water or glass cleaner.

    Eljer
    Toilet Seats
    Some detergents and household bathroom cleansers have a damaging affect on seat materials. Eljer suggests that cleaning with a mild soap and water will keep your seat sparkling clean and new-looking. Thoroughly rinse the cleaned surface with plenty of water and then dry the surface. Cleaners containing silica and sand will be abrasive and should not be used.
    Toilet Tanks and Bowls
    Important! The use of any toilet cleaners that are applied in the toilet tank void the warranty for Eljer toilets.
    In-tank cleaners can damage the rubber, metal and/or plastic components of tank parts causing leaks and hindering toilet performance.
    To clean bowls, use toilet bowl cleaners are that applied to the toilet bowl and a nylon brush when necessary. Use of a metal brush will create metal marks in the bowl.

    Opella
    Opella recommends cleaning their showerheads with a lemon juice/water solution or a vinegar/water solution. Immerse the showerhead and soak for 15 minutes; this should remove any hard water build up. The use of any kind of abrasive cleanser will void the warranty.

    Kimball and Young
    Kimball and Young recommend that their mirrors are cleaned with a damp, soft cloth and warm water. They do not recommend any specific brand of cleaning products, but they do suggest that glass may be cleaned with a window-cleaning product such as Windex®.

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