Note to housewives: how to clean a cast-iron bathtub white and not damage the coating

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

This is actually the case, but the top of the cast iron is covered with a layer of enamel, which is not as resistant to chemicals.

How to clean a cast-iron bathtub white and not damage it, read the article.

Improvised means

You can cope with pollution with the help of available tools.

Lemon acid

You can get rid of limescale and soap deposits, as well as whiten the bath with citric acid.

Use it as follows:

1. In 1 glass of water, dilute 1 sachet of citric acid.
2. The composition is impregnated with a sponge and with its help the contaminated areas are abundantly moistened.
3. Leave the solution to act for 30 minutes.
4. Wash off the product with clean water.

If the bathtub is completely stained, you can use citric acid in a different way. It is filled with warm water to the brim, 2-3 sachets of citric acid are poured out, left for 3 hours, and then rinsed.

A mixture of baking soda and vinegar

The baking soda and vinegar mixture is a versatile recipe that can help get rid of all types of dirt. They are used as follows:

• soda must be mixed with water until a thick slurry is formed;
• all contaminated surfaces are treated with it; you do not need to rub in soda;
• in vinegar with a concentration of 9%, a sponge is moistened and applied to soda gruel - a strong reaction should go with the formation of foam;
• after 30 minutes, the product must be removed from the bath surface.

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 gruel is applied to those places that need cleaning.
3. The agent is left to act for 25 minutes, after which it is washed off with clean water.

You should not rub the composition with a brush so as not to scratch the bath.

Ammonia

Ammonia combined with hydrogen peroxide helps to safely clean and whiten the cast iron bath.

Use the composition as follows:

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

Since ammonia has a pungent smell, it is used only in a room with good ventilation.

Soda, laundry soap, and oxygen bleach powder

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

Mode of application:

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

Special formulations

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

Sarma cleaning gel Universal

The composition is free of chlorine and aggressive acids. Sarma cleaning gel for baths and sinks Universal is effective against rust, limescale and unpleasant odor, 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, therefore it copes well with rust, limescale... The product neutralizes unpleasant odors, leaving behind a fresh scent.

To achieve antimicrobial effect, the gel must be applied to the surface and kept for 15 minutes. A budgetary facility, it costs 110 rubles.

Spray Unicum

This versatile compound can be used not only for washing the bathtub, but also for tiles. The spray effectively removes limescale, rust, mold and odors.

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

Can brushes be used?

For cleaning a cast iron bath you can use brushes with soft bristles... Do not use iron brushes or hard tools with synthetic bristles. It is also not recommended to rub dirt with the back of the sponge.

To wash the bath, use rags or cloth napkins, foam brushes. They are moistened in special solutions and treated in a bath. Microfiber cloths pick up dirt well.

Features of removing different types of stains

Depending on what exactly the cast-iron bath is contaminated with, the means for washing it will differ. Some formulations are the best to cope with limescale, bloom, while others with yellowness.

Limescale

Acids help get rid of limescale. Interacting with salts, they dissolve them. In order not to damage the bath during cleaning, you need to use acids of low concentration:

• citric acid solution (1 bag for 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 other acids are present in the composition, then the time of their exposure to the enamel should not exceed 15 seconds. Read more about how to get rid of limescale in the bathroom. here.

Soap bloom

Soap deposits will not form if the bath is rinsed with clean water and wiped down with a cloth after each use. Otherwise, a dirty grayish film will quickly form on its walls. You can get rid of it with dishwashing liquid.

Mode of application:

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

As for household chemicals, all formulations do an excellent job with soapy deposits. The main thing is to use liquid, not powdery products.

Rust

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

• moisten pure white matter in peroxide;
• apply her spot;
• leave for 15 minutes;
• rub the area with a rag, rinse with clean water.

If necessary, the procedure is repeated several times. When buying a detergent, you need to pay attention to the mark "against rust".

Yellowness

Yellowness on a cast iron bath indicates that its surface is porous. Rust, salts, dirt are clogged in microscopic gaps, which gives it a characteristic shade. You can whiten the bath, but you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to repeat this procedure constantly.

Whitening agents:

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

He will tell you more about how to cleanse the bathtub from yellow plaque. this article.

What can't be used and why?

For washing a cast iron bath 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, which makes the surface porous, quickly turns yellow and loses its presentable appearance.
3. Any powdery products. They contain abrasive particles that leave small scratches.
4. Solvents such as acetone or solvent 646. Such agents can corrode not only the paint, but also the enamel layer that covers the cast-iron bath.

Helpful information

Care Tips behind a cast iron bath:

• the safest products for the care of cast iron bathtubs are alkaline compounds, for example, laundry soap;
• you need to wash and dry the bath after each use - this will avoid its premature deterioration;
• when working with caustic substances, it is necessary to protect the skin of the hands with gloves, and the respiratory organs - with a mask or respirator.

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

Conclusion

In order for a cast-iron bathtub to serve for a long time, it must be properly looked after. The main condition is the rejection of the use of aggressive substances and hard brushes. Both improvised and folk remedies are highly effective.