B&B Unicum
“Unicum” is an acid-based cleaner for acrylic bathtubs, which is what determines its effect. It reacts directly with salts and plaque, releasing carbon dioxide, water and easily washable residue.
The bath cleaner is applied for just 15 seconds and then wiped off with a sponge. If the coating is too thick, you can leave Unicum for a minute - no more. By the way, don’t forget about gloves and a respirator while working.
CIF cream with microcrystals
Not the most effective cleaner for acrylic bathtubs, based on microcrystals. Essentially, it is a cream with abrasive particles that scrub off dirt mechanically.
But, unlike soda, “Sif”:
- Doesn't scratch the bathtub. Microcrystals are very small, so they cannot harm acrylic. In addition, the composition contains surfactants that additionally react with contaminants.
- Supplied in a convenient format. The creamy structure is easier to apply and convenient to rub.
In addition, the price of “Sif” is not much higher than that of soda ash.
Special bath cleaning products
To treat plumbing products, use products that do not harm the enamel coating.
White
A simple, accessible and cheap product. It removes any dirt well, whitens, disinfects and kills bacteria on the surface.
Mister Muscle
Spray "Expert" is intended for enamel, plastic and porcelain bathtubs and sinks. An effective cleaner removes stubborn dirt, soap scum, disinfects, quickly removes stains, and leaves a pleasant smell.
“Mr. Muscle” is one of the most popular and inexpensive means for cleaning enamel bathtubs.
Cif Cream
Ultra White cream has a whitening effect and is available in 2 versions:
- Max Effect with eucalyptus scent;
- "Icy Breeze"
The composition contains chlorine, which will remove yellowness and limescale from the enamel coating. The substance is easy to apply, rinses off well and is economical to use.
You can remove fat from a bathtub without chlorine using the Ultra Hygiene spray. “Antinalet” will help dissolve soap and limescale deposits.
"Sun Klin"
You can wash a cast iron, steel or acrylic bathtub clean without damaging the enamel using a spray with an active formula that does not contain phosphates, acids or alkalis.
"Mr. Cheester"
The detergent is suitable for cleaning enamel baths, sinks, showers, has antibacterial properties and a pleasant smell, protects the coating from fungus, mold and re-contamination.
Comet-gel
The substance does not contain chlorine, has a gentle gel structure that deeply cleans the surface and kills germs.
"Cinderella"
Despite the good effect on whitening acrylic and enamel bathtubs, taps and sinks, shower cabins and tiles, the product must be used with caution, because it contains acid. It is not used for processing marble coatings and sensitive enamels. The composition is evenly applied to the contaminated surface, left for 2-3 minutes and rinsed off well with water.
"Sanox"
To combat old stains, it is recommended to use household chemicals with a gel texture and a powerful composition that can clean the product white in a matter of minutes. Not suitable for thin enamels.
The budget domestic product “Sanox” effectively removes limescale from an enamel bathtub.
Frosch
For preventive purposes and for daily care, a safe and environmentally friendly product based on fruit acid is used.
Synergetic
The concentrated eco-product removes rust and limescale. Does not contain chlorine. The base is distilled water and plant tensides with the addition of lemon, mint and bergamot oils.
Luxus Professional
Stubborn stains and deposits are removed using phosphate-free gels, foam or liquid. They intensively clean and remove traces of rust, grease, soap, and add shine to the coating. Not suitable for washing acrylic bathtubs and chemical-sensitive sanitary products.
Other
Domestos copes with yellow spots.
Cleaning products containing aggressive substances should not be left on the surface to be cleaned for a long time.
It contains chlorine, so it should not be left on a surface for more than 5 minutes and should not be used on coated metal products. Phenolux has a similar property.
Branded products Ravak and Triton are used no more than once every 2 weeks, otherwise they can burn out and ruin the coating.
Cinderella
The best cleaning product for the price. “Cinderella” is an acidic cleaner with the addition of surfactants and silicone oil. Thanks to this, the composition quickly interacts with plaque, dissolving it before our eyes. Silicone oil is needed to polish acrylic, which will make the bathtub shine.
Overall, Cinderella is a good acrylic bathtub cleaner, but it is very caustic. Gloves and a respirator are required. 15% of the composition is acids, so eye protection is also needed. And you can’t find “Cinderella” in every store.
Tim pro
Professional organic bathroom cleaner. Consequently, its effect is less “aggressive”, but it does not have an unpleasant odor and you can work with it without gloves.
Apply by spraying, after “Tim” you need to leave for 5-10 minutes, depending on the layer of plaque. It washes off with a sponge and leaves no streaks. By the way, it forms a protective dirt-repellent film on the surface. The only thing that upsets me is its price tag - $10 per bottle.
Rating of cleaning products for cast iron bathtubs
Bathtubs made of cast iron are strong and durable.
They have a dense enamel coating with a relatively low level of dirt absorption. They should be washed using gentle products.
According to consumer reviews, the best among them are:
- Sanox;
- comet;
- Cif;
- Mr. Chister;
- Mr Muscle.
When choosing, you need to take into account the type and degree of contamination, ease of use of the detergent composition, its effectiveness and exposure time.
Mister Muscle
Removes stubborn dirt.
A universal foaming bath spray. Suitable for cleaning enamel, porcelain and plastic surfaces.
Removes stubborn dirt and soap deposits, refreshes and disinfects. Does not damage the coating or cause discoloration. Exposure time is from 10 minutes to several hours.
To combat traces of lime and rust, Mr Muscle Expert “Plaque Remover” is more suitable.
Like the previous option, it has biocidal properties, eliminates soap residue, water stains and unpleasant odors.
Sanox
Inexpensive, domestically produced bath and toilet cleaner. The gel has a somewhat runny consistency and contains oxalic acid.
Designed to eliminate various contaminants, incl. fats, lime, rust. Eliminates pathogens of intestinal infections.
After application, leave the composition for 3-5 minutes. When using for the first time, it is recommended to test it on a small area of enamel.
Comet
Good cleaning product. Available in several forms, including gel and spray. Suitable for cleaning sanitary ware, ceramic tiles, chrome-plated materials. Destroys mineral deposits and prevents their reappearance. Eliminates other types of contaminants and kills germs. It is easily washed off, does not leave streaks, gives freshness, whiteness and radiance. Facilitates subsequent care. The exposure time should not exceed 10 minutes.
One of the most advertised bath products.
Sif
The product is available in the form of spray and cream.
The products are versatile, provide deep cleaning of various materials, and do not scratch their surface. Suitable for both everyday care and general cleaning of the bathroom.
They act quickly (in a few minutes) and effectively. Easily removed after application; some varieties do not require rinsing. They do not leave streaks or a pronounced chemical odor.
Mr. Chister
This spray is intended for cleaning enamel, acrylic, ceramics, tiles, plastic, stainless steel. Gently cleans surfaces, makes them shiny, and prevents re-contamination. Contains an antibacterial component. Effectively removes dirt, yellowness, and lime marks. It removes stubborn stains and rust even worse. Exposure time is up to 10 minutes. The fragrance is weak, the smell of chemicals is moderate, and disappears quickly.
Domestos without chlorine
Chlorine-free Domestos is less active and does not dissolve plastic, so it is good for acrylic. But it is not very effective against rust and plaque. "Domestos" is intended for disinfection and bleaching.
They are unlikely to be able to wash an acrylic bathtub, but they can completely wash away yellowness or kill mold. Apply for 30 minutes and then wash off with water from the shower head.
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:
- Dilute 1 sachet of citric acid in 1 glass of water.
- Saturate a sponge with the mixture and use it to generously moisten contaminated areas.
- Leave the solution to act for 30 minutes.
- 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:
- In 30 ml of turpentine you need to dilute 50 g of table salt.
- The resulting slurry is applied to those places that need cleaning.
- 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:
- Lather a damp sponge with laundry soap and treat the bath.
- In a separate container, mix washing powder and soda, dilute with a small amount of water.
- Apply the composition to the surface of the bath.
- Leave for 15 minutes.
- Rinse off with clean water.
Sanfor Acrylight gel
How to care for an acrylic bathtub if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, but the acid composition is not suitable? "Sanfor" is an intermediate category, between the professional segment and cheap acid products. The composition is not aggressive, the gel can even be applied by hand. At the same time, it effectively removes plaque in 10 minutes, no worse than “Tim-prof”. The smell is not pungent and does not hurt the eyes.
The only negative is the packaging. It is served in a regular bottle with a cap without a dispenser or spray. Therefore, you will have to take care of your acrylic bathtub with a sponge or napkin.
Freshbubble
How to wash an acrylic bathtub if you don’t want to spend money on Akrilan? “Freshbubble” is a cheaper substitute, with an almost similar composition: soft surfactants, citric acid and lemon essential oil.
It works well, but after application you will have to wait 2-3 minutes. But it is safe for children and does not dry out the skin. In addition, it has a pleasant lemon smell and costs 2 times less than Acrilan.
The sprayer controls are the same: sprayer, foaming agent and stopper. Minor minus: it does not cope with old deposits the first time.
Rating of cleaning products for enameled steel bathtubs
Steel bathtubs are coated with a thinner layer of enamel than cast iron, so they require careful care. Preparations containing formaldehyde, alkalis, hydrochloric or oxalic acid are unsuitable for this.
Gentle all-purpose cleaners such as Frosch or Luxus Professional are best suited for them.
Frosch
Expensive and high quality product.
A line of German-made cleaning products produced in liquid form. Some varieties are sold in containers with a sprayer. The products are characterized by environmental friendliness and high prices.
For daily maintenance of the cleanliness of a steel bathtub, it is better to use Green Grape spray. It removes yellowness, stains from water, soap, and lime.
It copes well with red stains under the tap and at the drain, but for this it needs to be applied several times.
To remove stubborn stains, it is better to use other products from this brand.
Luxus Professional
Indicated for sensitive surfaces.
The product has a high cost. Available in the form of a spray or foam aerosol.
Used to treat a variety of surfaces, including sensitive materials.
It is made on the basis of natural ingredients, and after use it quickly breaks down into safe components.
Affects soap and grease stains, destroys water stone, gives whiteness and a feeling of freshness. It lasts on average 10-15 minutes.
Used sparingly. It may not be able to deal with old stains.
Meine Liebe
If you regularly maintain your acrylic bathtub, take Mein Liebe. A spray with a mild effect, almost does not injure your hands and does not dry out the mucous membranes. It can be used if children and pets live in the house.
It has a slight smell that is not overpowered by the fruity scent, but it is not harsh. Copes with rust, limescale and soap traces, but only if they are fresh. Old dirt cannot be removed in principle. But it is sold in every household chemical store and is cheap.
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Unicum
A good and inexpensive cleaner designed for old plaque. “Unicum” is a good answer to the question of how to wash yellow stains, thick limescale crusts or mold.
It works immediately after application and after just a minute it can be washed off with a powerful stream of water. It is necessary to work with it wearing glasses and a respirator. The pungent odor causes severe burning of the mucous membranes. It is easy to get chemical burns on your hands, so gloves are also necessary.
By the way, Unicum is also sold in economy packs of 0.75 and 3 liters.
Bathroom cleaning products: classification
- A gel is a structured fluid substance that easily dissolves in water.
- Spray is a liquid supplied by spraying through an aerosol can or sprayer.
- Powder is a highly ground solid substance where the particles are free-flowing.
- Foam is a concentrated emulsion containing many gas bubbles, soft and airy to the touch. Each type of means has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Product name Pros of use Disadvantages of use | Concentrated Economical consumption Effectively helps against plaque and rust | Strong smell May contain acid Work with caution, only wear gloves | |
Easy to apply Versatile action | High consumption, runs out quickly You have to work in a mask | Budget product Relatively harmless, does not contain caustic chemicals | Doesn't cope well with very heavy stains Scratches delicate surfaces |
Foam | Delivered through a spray nozzle, turns into long-lasting foam Dissolves and absorbs dirt | Does not cope with stubborn dirt |
Classification of bath cleaning products