What Bathtub Material is Easiest to Clean

Best Selling Bathtub
There is little disagreement that the best bathtub material is durable, easy to clean, mould- and mildew-resistant, and retains heat well. But, of course, the aesthetics and price point of the item must also meet your expectations. You can find a lot more help about choosing the perfect bathtub in this guide. In this article, we’ll help you choose tubs and materials that are easy to clean.
Bathtub materials can be categorized into the following five types, each with its characteristics. Our list is arranged from the easiest to clean to the least one at the bottom.
Porcelain Enameled Steel
They are incredibly hygienic and easy to maintain, thanks to their non-porous, glass-covered hard surface. In addition to being impact resistant, they are also chemically and heat resistant. Despite its thinness, steel is solid, and some of the famous brands use alloys containing titanium in the steel for added strength. Many styles and sizes are available, especially suited to thin baths that can’t take up much space. You should only purchase steel enamel made in Europe, as American steel enamel is inferior. The disadvantage of the acrylic bath is the high cost of repair, and the enamel coating, although scratch and chip resistant, conducts heat away from the bath.
There is some weight in comparison with acrylic or fibreglass. However, this kind of tub is much lighter than enamelled cast iron.
- It is very affordable
- Quite light in weight
- The size is 60 x 30 inches (standard)
- Long-lasting
- Cleaning is simple
- When objects are dropped, the surface can chip
- Rust can form even on the smallest of chips
- Colours and shapes are limited
- Noisy if not properly insulated
- Has a rapid loss of heat
Cleaning tips:
If you are cleaning a porcelain bathtub, be careful not to use abrasive cleaners since they can scratch the surface. Additionally, scouring powder, white vinegar, and steel wool can damage the finish of the bathtub.
- You can choose any bathtub cleaners available in the store if you are looking for a gentle cleaner on the surface and can be used weekly. Please ensure that the specific cleaner will not damage porcelain enamel.
You can even make your porcelain bathtub cleaner at home by following the steps below:
- Using a sponge or rag, mix a couple of tablespoons of dishwashing soap in one gallon of hot water. Apply the solution to the bathtub surface.
- The porcelain should be scrubbed and rinsed with water.
Overusing the process can damage the tub if used too often. It should be done no more than once a month. Apply a small amount of lemon oil to the tub’s sides and rub it. You will notice that your bathtub will appear new and shiny.
Acrylic
Bathtubs have become increasingly popular in acrylic. Despite being lightweight and durable, these tubs are still solid despite being very durable. Clean, durable, and very comfortable acrylic tubs can also be formed into various shapes and sizes. In addition, the natural warmth of acrylic allows for the creation of deep, long-lasting colours.
In case of scratching, fine-grit sandpaper and t-cut can easily be used to repair the damage. Although acrylic tubs have many advantages, they are very affordable. They must be installed correctly, as an improper installation may lead to problems with the bath moving and leaking at the joints.
In this type of tub, acrylic sheets are vacuum-formed and reinforced with fibreglass. Lightweight and easy to install, acrylic tubs are ideal for small spaces.
- Weightless
- Budget-friendly
- Available in a variety of colours, shapes, and sizes
- Long-lasting
- The non-porous surface
- It is possible to repair the surface
- Surfaces can be scratched if cleaned with abrasive cleaners
- It is essential to reinforce stress points during installation
- The cost of acrylic is higher than that of fibreglass
Cleaning tips:
If the bathtub is made up of acrylic plastic, it is essential to be careful when cleaning it. The chemical and abrasive effects of chemical materials can easily damage acrylic plastic. As a result, it is imperative to take extra care when cleaning an acrylic plastic bathtub. You can do
- the following:
- It would be best if you wet the bathtub with warm water before beginning the cleaning process.
- A damp rag or a piece of cloth dipped in baby shampoo should be rubbed in circles over the bathtub surface.
- Frequently rinse the rag to prevent it from becoming tainted with soap. Then, rinse the bathtub surface again and repeat until the bathtub appears spotless.
- Using a rag and a can of car wax, rub the wax on the surface of the bathtub once it has dried and been cleaned.
- Apply the wax to the bathtub surface in circles, similar to how you usually apply car wax.
- Allow the surface to dry for a few minutes, then buff the bathtub’s surface with a dry cotton ball.
A coat of car wax applied to the bathtub prevents soap, water, and shampoo from sticking to the surface. Repetition is recommended if necessary.
Fibreglass (FRP)
In the production of fibreglass reinforced plastic, tiny interwoven glass strings are heated together and bonded. Then, the resin gel coat is applied after it has been moulded, shaped, and painted. For tubs, it’s one of the cheapest materials, and it’s also one of the easiest to install. Due to its lightweight, this material is commonly used in multi-story homes because it eliminates the need for additional support for the bathtub—tubs made of fibreglass last between 10 and 15 years.
A fibreglass reinforced tub is constructed with polyester resin, fibreglass, and surfaces coated in polyester resin. While fibreglass tubs cost less than acrylic, they are also less durable.
- Weightless
- Installation is simple
- It’s very cheap
- Maintainable and easy to clean
- It is possible to repair the surface
- An excellent option for a shower/tub combo
- Materials are not as durable as other materials
- Surfaces can crack and scratch
- The finish tends to fade
- Colour options are limited
Cleaning tips:
If you follow the steps below, you can clean your fibreglass bathtub using a shower or cleaning mixture:
- Mix half a cup of dish soap with a healthy amount of baking soda in hot water.
- As the components are mixed, they will begin to form a paste.
- Adding baking soda until the mixture sticks to the bath wall is necessary.
- Let the mixture stand for 30 minutes or more, then apply it with a sponge on the bathtub.
- Let the bathtub sit for half an hour and scrub it vigorously.
- Remove excess water from the fibreglass bathtub using a paper towel after rinsing it with cold water.
- Now you can take a magic eraser to the stains and dirt and wipe them away.
If you want your fibreglass bathtub to look and feel as if it was brand new, you can wax it with a good grade of rubbing wax explicitly designed for fibreglass. To get started, follow these steps:
- First, make sure you have an orbital buffer and good auto wax.
- Then, work your magic in small sections while applying the rubbing wax.
- As the mixture can burn the fibreglass if left on one spot for a long time, don’t use the mixture on one spot for too long.
- Using terry cloth, buff off the rubbing wax and then use auto wax to complete the process.
- Let it harden and stay shiny for a longer time by rinsing with cold water.
Enameled Cast Iron
In the construction of bathtubs, enamelled cast iron was the material of choice. Despite its popularity, this material has somewhat declined over the past decade and will most likely remain a specialist material for a while to come.
Its durable and high-gloss finish make cast iron tubs, among other advantages, very attractive. Despite this, the cast-iron makes them very heavy, to the point of sometimes needing additional support on the floor. They can quickly be dulled by abrasive cleaners, particularly when they have a high gloss coating. In theory, the surface resists cracks and scratches; however, it is expensive to repair them when they do occur.
These metal tubs are also inherently cold due to their metal construction. However, the water is heated as soon as the heaters are turned on, so you already cut the time off your leisurely soak.
- A very durable material
- Thick enamel is resistant to chipping and scratching
- Resurfacing is possible
- The style that will never go out of style
- The material retains heat well
- You can choose from many colours
- It is cumbersome
Cleaning tips:
It is essential to handle enamelled cast iron with caution as you could damage it by using harmful chemicals. It is highly recommended to use baking soda with warm water for cleaning daily. Here’s what you need to do:
- Make a paste out of baking soda and warm water and apply it to the stains
- Let the paste sit for about 30 minutes
- To clean the muck and filth, use a cleaning towel
- Rinse well with warm water.
Follow these steps, however, if you have some tough stains on your bathtub:
- First, combine a teaspoon of trisodium phosphate cleaner (TSP) with hot water.
- Apply the solution to the stain with a sponge and gently rub it. Rinse well.
Cast Polymer
Solid surface and engineered natural stone products are available as cast polymer bathtub materials. Moulding minerals make the solid material with polymeric materials and resins to form a solid piece like solid-surface counters (like Corian). In most cases, the tubs are finished with a gel coat.
- It is affordable
- There are many colour options and designs available
- Scratches on the surface can be buffed out
- Cleans easily
- Wear-resistant
- It can be brittle
- Wearing a gel coat can cause irreparable cracks
Cleaning tips:
It is essential to follow the proper steps when cleaning a cast polymer as even the slightest scratch is visible. To avoid scratchy sponges and abrasive cleaners, use soft cloths instead. To stay safe, follow these steps:
- Clean with mild soap or detergent.
- To remove soap scrums, mix equal amounts of vinegar and water and spray on the affected area.
- Clean the area with a soft cloth.
Bathtub Cleaning: Things to Avoid
Making sure that you avoid some of these silly and common mistakes and errors will help to keep your bathtub shining and maintain its lustre for more extended periods.
- It is not a good idea to leave your soap or shampoo bottles on the bathroom or bathtub floor as this can cause more stains and marks to appear. In addition to making the bathtub more prone to cracking, these products also promote the growth of bacteria.
- The bathtub surface shouldn’t be scrubbed or rubbed with complex tools, abrasive pads, or steel wool. Eventually, the bathtub will crack, and marks and scratches will appear on it.
- Bath products too hard are not recommended for use in the tub. Also, it is best to avoid paint thinners since they cause the same damage as an abrasive scrub pad or steel wool.
- Ventilate your work area if you are working with chemicals. There are two ways to provide ventilation: through windows or exhaust fans.
- These chemicals can cause harmful fumes when used in enclosed settings. These fumes can cause respiratory and skin problems.
- Make sure you don’t pin all your hopes on one product. The products you use should be suited to the area and the work.
- A minimum of five minutes should be allowed for the disinfectant to sit on the bathtub surface.