Note to housewives: how to clean a cast iron bathtub white without damaging the coating

It would seem that there is nothing easier than washing a cast-iron bathtub white, because this metal can withstand any impact.

This is actually true, but cast iron is covered with a layer of enamel on top, which is not so resistant to chemicals.

Read the article on how to clean a cast iron bathtub white without damaging it.

Available means

You can deal with pollution using available means.

Lemon acid

You can get rid of limescale and soap deposits, and also whiten your bathtub using citric acid.

Use it as follows:

1. Dilute 1 sachet of citric acid in 1 glass of water.
2. Saturate a sponge with the mixture and use it to generously moisten contaminated areas.
3. Leave the solution to act for 30 minutes.
4. Wash off the product with clean water.

If the bathtub is completely dirty, you can use citric acid in another way. Fill it with warm water to the brim, add 2-3 sachets of citric acid, leave for 3 hours, then rinse.

A mixture of baking soda and vinegar

A mixture of soda and vinegar is a universal recipe that helps get rid of various types of contaminants. They are used as follows:

• soda must be mixed with water until a thick paste forms;
• All contaminated surfaces are treated with it; there is no need to rub in soda;
• moisten a sponge in vinegar with a concentration of 9% and apply it to the soda slurry - a strong reaction should occur with the formation of foam;
• After 30 minutes, the product must be removed from the surface of the bath.

Turpentine and table salt

A mixture of turpentine and table salt is effective against rust and lime. Mode of application:

1. In 30 ml of turpentine you need to dilute 50 g of table salt.
2. The resulting slurry is applied to those places that need cleaning.
3. The product is left to act for 25 minutes, after which it is washed off with clean water.

Do not rub the composition with a brush so as not to scratch the bathtub.

Ammonia

Ammonia combined with hydrogen peroxide helps to safely clean and whiten a cast iron bathtub.

Use the composition as follows:

• dissolve 100 ml of peroxide and 50 ml of ammonia in a suitable container;
• use a clean cloth to treat contaminated areas;
• leave to act for 15 minutes;
• wash off with clean water.

Since ammonia has a pungent odor, use it only in a room with good ventilation.

Baking soda, laundry soap and oxygen bleach powder

You can get rid of heavy plaque and rust using a three-component composition based on soda, laundry soap and oxygen bleach powder.

Mode of application:

1. Lather a damp sponge with laundry soap and treat the bath.
2. In a separate container, mix washing powder and soda, dilute with a small amount of water.
3. Apply the composition to the surface of the bath.
4. Leave for 15 minutes.
5. Rinse off with clean water.

Special formulations

The store offers a wide range of cleaning products for cast iron bathtubs. Safe and effective formulations:

Sarma cleaning gel Universal

The composition does not contain chlorine or aggressive acids. Sarma cleaning gel for bathtubs and sinks Universal is effective against rust, limescale and unpleasant odors, and has an antibacterial effect. The basis of the formula is represented by nonionic surfactants. Price – 90 rubles.

Sanfor Expert Alpine freshness

The product contains citric acid and surfactants, so it copes well with rust and limescale. The product neutralizes unpleasant odors, leaving behind a fresh aroma.

To achieve an antimicrobial effect, the gel must be applied to the surface and left for 15 minutes. The product is budget, costs 110 rubles.

Spray Unicum

This universal composition can be used not only for washing the bathtub, but also tiles. The spray effectively copes with limescale, rust, mold and foreign odors.

The composition contains acids, so you must use the product strictly according to the instructions. Price – 150 rubles.

Can brushes be used?

For cleaning a cast iron bathtub You can use brushes with soft bristles. Iron brushes or hard tools with synthetic bristles should not be used. It is also not recommended to rub dirt with the back of the sponge.

To clean the bathtub, use rags or fabric napkins and foam brushes.They are moistened in special solutions and treated with a bath. Microfiber cloths absorb dirt well.

Features of removing different types of stains

Depending on what exactly the cast-iron bathtub is contaminated with, the means for washing it will differ. Some compositions cope better with limescale deposits, while others deal with yellowness.

Limescale

Acids help get rid of limescale. When they interact with salts, they dissolve them. To avoid damaging the bathtub during cleaning, low concentration acids should be used:

• citric acid solution (1 packet per 250 ml of water);
• table or apple cider vinegar (2-3 tablespoons per 1 liter of water);
• oxalic acid (1 sachet per 250 ml of water).

When choosing a detergent, you need to pay attention to the presence of citric or oxalic acid in it. If the composition contains other acids, then the time of their exposure to the enamel should not exceed 15 seconds. Read more about ways to get rid of limescale in the bathroom Here.

Soap scum

Soap scum will not form if after each use of the bathtub you rinse it with clean water and wipe it with a cloth. Otherwise, a dirty grayish film will quickly form on its walls. You can get rid of it using dishwashing liquid.

Mode of application:

1. Apply the product to a damp sponge.
2. Treat the bathtub around the perimeter so that it is covered with foam.
3. Leave for 10 minutes.
4. Rinse off the foam with clean hot and then cool water, wipe dry.

As for household chemicals, all compositions do an excellent job of removing soap scum.The main thing is to use liquid, not powder, products.

Rust

Hydrogen peroxide helps in the fight against rust. It can be applied to a cast iron bath in its pure form, or as a compress. Mode of application:

• soak a clean white cloth in peroxide;
• apply it to the stain;
• leave for 15 minutes;
• Rub the area with a cloth and rinse with clean water.

If necessary, the procedure is repeated several times. When purchasing a detergent, you need to pay attention to the “anti-rust” label.

Yellowness

Yellowness on a cast iron bathtub indicates that its surface is porous. Rust, salts, and dirt get clogged into microscopic spaces, which gives it a characteristic tint. You can bleach your bathtub, but you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to repeat this procedure constantly.

Products that have a whitening effect:

1. Coca Cola. This drink contains orthophosphoric acid, which destroys rust.
2. Toothpaste. With its help you can bring your bathtub to snow-white cleanliness.
3. A mixture of baking soda and bleach powder.
4. Hydrogen peroxide.

He will tell you more about how to clean a bathtub from yellow deposits. this article.

What can't be used and why?

For cleaning a cast iron bathtub The following compounds cannot be used:

1. Detergents containing chlorine. They lead to the disappearance of the glossy shine.
2. Household chemicals containing acid. It destroys the top layer of enamel, causing the surface to become porous, quickly turn yellow and lose its presentable appearance.
3. Any powdered products. They contain abrasive particles that leave small scratches.
4. Solvents, such as acetone or solvent 646.Such products can corrode not only the paint, but also the layer of enamel that covers the cast iron bathtub.

Helpful information

Care Tips behind the cast iron bath:

• the safest means for caring for cast iron bathtubs are alkaline compounds, for example, laundry soap;
• You need to wash and dry the bathtub after each use - this will avoid its premature damage;
• When working with caustic substances, it is necessary to protect the skin of your hands with gloves, and your respiratory organs with a mask or respirator.

All the most important and useful information about cleaning the bathroom is collected in this section of the site.

Conclusion

For a cast iron bathtub to last a long time, it needs to be properly cared for. The main condition is the refusal to use aggressive substances and hard brushes. Both improvised and folk remedies are highly effective.