How to wash a cast-iron bath without damaging enamel: a review of folk recipes and the best purchased products

Despite many modern alternatives, the cast-iron bathtub has been and remains one of the most popular types of plumbing fixtures.

In many ways, this popularity is associated with the durability and increased strength of cast iron. The material can withstand severe loads, is resistant to temperature changes, has a high heat capacity and good sound insulation properties.

However, the operation of such products has its own nuances, which mainly relate to the handling of enameled coating. In the absence of proper care and prevention, it quickly loses its aesthetic appearance.

To maintain the original color and luster of the bowl, you need to know how and how to wash the cast-iron bath without damaging the enamel. We will talk about this in our article.

The main causes and types of contamination of enamel

Enamel is a powder that is applied to the inner surface of a cast-iron bathtub by applying the electrostatic method and subsequent “baking” in a special heat chamber.

And although cast iron itself serves from 25 to 50 years without problems, but enamelled coating is much more sensitive to all kinds of external factors. That is why it needs careful and proper care.

Enamel is especially subjected to several types of pollution:

1. Rust.
2. Limescale coating.
3. Fat layers.

The reason for the appearance of ugly brown smudges on white enamel is often iron salts, constantly falling to the surface from old pipes.Sometimes the problem lies in the faulty leaking mixer, a metal chain for attaching the exhaust cover, which oxidizes under the influence of water.

The enamel used in old cast-iron baths usually contains zirconium elements. They increase the strength, elasticity and heat resistance of the material, but are not able to resist rust. On such cups, microcracks and scratches inevitably appear over time, through which corrosion acts directly on the metal

In the manufacture new baths involve advanced surface treatment techniques involving the use of titanium salts. These components make the coating structure smoother, which significantly reduces the likelihood of cracking.

Limescale, as a rule, appears due to poor water quality, which depends on the region, the used sources and treatment technologies, and the condition of local water pipelines.

Various impurities, chlorine, metals, mineral salts contained in the liquid increase its rigidity and are deposited on the surface in the form of a whitish coating.

Fatty deposits - the consequences of subsidence on the walls of the bath particles of skin, sweat, dirt, which washes away a person taking a bath. Layering on top of each other, they form a persistent, difficult to remove plaque from fat.

All types of pollution require a special approach. To remove and clean a certain of them, it is necessary to use special compounds that can be purchased at the store or prepared independently from improvised home remedies.

Best Store Cleaning Products

Specialized household chemicals contain effective reagents, trace elements and substances that work well against various types of pollution, which enamel is prone to.

There are many cleaning products on the market with paste, helium, powder consistency. Before buying any of them, you need to check whether it is suitable for enamel, study the instructions and familiarize yourself with the composition.

Consider several effective tools that have proven themselves in practice and are most popular among housewives.

Remedy # 1 - whiteness in various forms

The most commonly used cleaning agent for cast-iron bathtubs is plain whiteness. It costs a lot, is produced by numerous manufacturers, but regardless of this, it has an almost identical composition.

The average cost of a 1 liter bottle is 50-80 rubles. The product is available in gel and liquid form. The first option will cost an order of magnitude more expensive.

Whiteness helps restore the original color of the coating, eliminates grease, fresh stains from paint, destroys bacteria, mold, fungus thanks to powerful disinfecting and disinfecting properties. However, it is not suitable for emergency resuscitation of the coating: it is unlikely that it will be possible to remove rust or limescale with it.

In addition to the enamel itself, it is recommended that the substance clean the tiles in the bathroom, the joints, the corners located above the bowl, and drain areas.

It is necessary to wash the container with whiteness to the extent of a hard sponge without metal fibers. It is advisable to use it not in its pure form, but dilute it with ordinary water, observing a proportion of 1: 2. You can also add 100 ml of the mixture to a bath filled with liquid, mix well and leave overnight.

Remedy # 2 - Mister Muscle Bath

The cleaning composition of the famous brand MR. MUSCLE is suitable for more serious stains. Unlike whiteness, it is much easier to use. It has no aggressive components, so it is used in its pure form.

The operation process itself is facilitated by a convenient sprayer. The average price for a 0.5 liter bottle is about 220 rubles.

Mister Muscle - an excellent option for disinfection, care, treatment of damaged surfaces. A creamy spray deeply penetrates the stain structure, completely destroying it in a short time

The substances included in its composition effectively clean the enamel from existing rust and, provided that it is regularly used correctly, prevents corrosion. The tool copes with lime deposits, soap deposits, layers of dirt, kills all kinds of microbes.

The cylinder is used in two modes, which are changed by turning the tip of the spray gun. The first mode is intended for application over a large area, the second - for spot processing of narrow slots.

After application, you need to wipe the coating with a sponge and rinse off with a copious amount of water. If necessary, the procedure is repeated several times.

Remedy # 3 - Comet-gel for plumbing

Gel company Comet - a universal tool for cleaning various types of coatings of plumbing devices. It is available in several versions - “Up to 7 days of purity”, “Expert”.

The last of them - Expert - is endowed with a stronger composition designed to work with limescale and rust. The average price of a plastic container with a dispenser of 0.5 liter is 150-200 rubles.

The product gives a light whitening effect, serves as an excellent disinfectant, breaks down fat deposits, eliminates stubborn stains. There is no silicate abrasive in the composition, so it does not scratch the enamel coating

To clean the bath of rust, apply gel and leave it on the problem area for 10 minutes. After this, wipe the bowl with a sponge and rinse with running water. Leaving the product on the surface of the bowl for more than 10 minutes is not recommended, since it contains acids.

Means # 4 - products of the Cif trademark

Under the Cif brand, several effective products specializing in cleaning tiles, pipes and plumbing are produced.

For the enamel coating of cast-iron bathtubs, Anti-plaque spray for the bath, Active Fresh universal cream, Power & Shine bath spray, Ultra White cream with a whitening effect are suitable. You can buy cream on average for 100-150 rubles, a spray - 150-200 rubles. The volume of the plastic container is 0.5 liters.

All solutions and creams from Sif firm well eliminate unpleasant odors, aromatize the room thanks to the various fragrances that make up their composition. Depending on the form of release, there are lemon, coniferous, eucalyptus, sea flavors

Means can be used to remove fat, lime deposits. To clean the surface from mold, rust resistant is better to take a reinforced cream with a whitening effect.

The drug is applied to the coating for up to 15 minutes. Its active substances instantly penetrate into the deep layers of pollution, damage their structure.

As a result, the persistent stain is converted into a trickle of liquid, which is easily removed with a sponge. After all the manipulations, rinse the bowl thoroughly with running water.

Remedy # 5 - Sanox Cleanser

Sanox is called "heavy artillery" among all such products. The powerful composition of the mixture and the high concentration of active components allows you to easily deal even with very complex contaminants. Specially designed for cleaning bath products with a volume of 0.5 l costs about 50 rubles.

Sanox quickly eliminates unpleasant odors, removes 99% of bacteria and pathogens from the surface of the bowl, corrodes grease, limescale, and rust. The method of use of the drug is practically no different from the previous ones. It is applied to the contaminated area, left for 10 minutes, rubbed with a sponge and washed off with water

It is worth considering that acids are included in the composition of the liquid, so you need to use it with extreme caution and in extreme cases, when stubborn stains are not amenable to other drugs.

If the enamel does not have an acid-resistant coating or is too thin, it is better to choose other, more gentle means.

Remedy # 6 - Frosch's Safe Eco-Product

Frosch product line is an ideal option for regular enamel cleaning and prevention of difficult plaque formation.

They are easy to apply and wash off, they have an absolutely safe composition, a convenient form of release in the form of a spray, and a pleasant aroma. The average cost of a bottle with a sprayer of 0.5 liter is 250-300 rubles.

Frosch Spray helps keep the cast iron bath enamel in excellent condition without resorting to emergency and hard surface resuscitation

With the help of environmental protection, it is possible to remove superficial spots from rust and limescale, but it is not suitable for heavily soiled areas.

Recipes of popular folk remedies

Some housewives prefer folk compositions to purchased cleaning products, considering them more effective and safe. Some do not use household chemicals in principle, others want to save money, and still others worry that there are small children, allergies, and pets in the house.

In any case, the use of folk remedies is justified. Often, subject to proper preparation and use, they work no worse than store counterparts. Let's consider some effective recipes. The ingredients for their preparation can be found in any kitchen.

Recipe # 1 - ordinary soda + water

The most affordable, common and easiest way to clean a cast-iron bathtub in the people involves the use of baking soda. This product allows you to quickly remove various impurities, soap deposits.

How to use soda to clean enamel: mix the powder with a small amount of liquid, apply the composition to the entire surface or dirty areas of the bath, after drying, rinse the mixture with water and wipe the surface dry

To maintain the enamel in its pure form using only soda, it is enough to clean the surface 1-2 times a week. It should be noted that the product is effective only when cleaning fresh dirt. To remove old spots, it is desirable to prepare a more powerful composition.

Recipe # 2 - Citric Acid + Water

Ordinary citric acid is an economical and also quite effective product for cleaning plumbing coatings.

Method of application: dissolve a bag of citric acid in a glass of water, mix well, distribute the composition along the walls of the bowl with a sponge

This tool must be washed off after 25 minutes. Then you need to rinse thoroughly and dry the bath, wiping with a clean rag.

A simple recipe allows you to remove fresh and old stains. Usually, after using it, the contaminants easily move away from the walls of the bowl.

Recipe # 3 - a mixture of two types of soda + vinegar

A mixture of baking soda and soda ash, vinegar, as well as powder bleach returns the enamel to its original color, gives the surface smoothness and luster.

Method of using the product with soda and vinegar: mix equal amounts of soda ash and table soda, taking about 2 tablespoons, pour the components with water until a mushy state is obtained, apply the composition to the problem area of ​​the enamel, leaving for 10 minutes. Next, mix half a glass of vinegar with the same amount of powder bleach and add the liquid mixture to the soda

After 2-3 hours, the applied mixture must be thoroughly washed off with water. After that, it is advisable to wipe the coating with a soft cloth. This tool will help to remove not only simple pollution, but also traces of calcareous deposits.

Recipe # 4 - ammonia + hydrogen peroxide

A solution of hydrogen peroxide with the addition of ammonia is an excellent folk remedy for removing rust from the surface of a cast-iron bath. In most cases, with the help of this composition, the housewives manage to get rid of even the most persistent spots.

Method of using liquid ammonia and peroxide: prepare a clean container, pour 100 ml of ammonia and 50 ml of peroxide into it, treat problem areas using a clean rag

Rinse the composition off the coating must be no later than 10-15 minutes after application. Work with ammonia should be in a mask and gloves. The substance has a pungent toxic odor, therefore it should only be used in well-ventilated areas.

Recipe # 5 - Turpentine + Salt

Porridge, prepared on the basis of turpentine, makes it possible to quickly get rid of calcareous deposits and rust, not bad bleaches the surface.

Method of application: mix 35 ml of turpentine with 100 g of table salt, apply a homogeneous slurry to the contaminated places and leave for 25 minutes, wash the rest of the product from the bowl under strong pressure of running water, dry the surface well

To achieve a greater effect, the cleaning procedure is repeated several times. However, it is important to consider that this can only be done after the enamel coating has completely dried.

Recommendations for the owners of the cast-iron bathtub

It is worth taking into account the fact that enamel is a very fragile coating and not every cleaning composition is suitable for it. The product used should not have aggressive, abrasive substances. Also, it is strongly not recommended to use too hard brushes during cleaning.

Precautions and Prevention

Wrongly selected detergents can easily damage the surface, leave noticeable spots on it, make the coating rough.

Such an oversight contributes to the appearance of a multitude of micropores through which dirt penetrates, deeply settles and accumulates. After this, the enamel becomes dull, yellowish, gray, noticeable smudges appear on it.

Too stiff metal brushes, fiberglass sponges, acidic and abrasive products lead to cracks and further destruction of the coating. Restoring enamel at home is quite difficult. Therefore, it is better to prevent the problem than to restore the bath.

Running a bath to such a state, to cope with pollution will be much more difficult. If you follow the basic rules for the operation of the product, take into account the manufacturer’s recommendations and use approved bath cleaners that work without damaging the enamel, the coating will last for decades.

Here are some nuances to note:

• Do not fill the tank with excessively hot water (recommended fluid temperature is about 70 ° C);
• it is undesirable to overload the bowl - on average, the maximum allowable weight of the product is up to 180 kg, but this figure may differ depending on the modification;
• it is forbidden to pour various chemicals into the bath;
• after each water treatment, it is necessary to rinse the surface with warm water;
• periodically, about once a week, you should wash the product using ordinary soapy water and a soft sponge;
• in the presence of serious impurities, it is necessary to determine their type and choose the appropriate cleaning agent that does not contain aggressive components, solid abrasive particles that can scratch the enamel;
• do not try to scrape off with a blade, wipe away stubborn stains with hard metal brushes;
• After cleaning, thoroughly rinse the composition under high pressure, and then wipe the surface dry with a cloth from the flannel and a soft towel.

In an enameled bath, it is highly discouraged to wash hard, metallic objects.

For the prevention of corrosion processes, it is necessary to monitor the health of taps and faucets installed in the bathroom. The smallest leak that cannot be fixed for a long time can cause the appearance of deep rust

Having found any chips on the coating, it is important to quickly close them. Otherwise, rust will begin to form around the damaged area, which will eventually completely ruin the enamel.

To eliminate the defects you will need fine-grained sandpaper, special putty or epoxy enamel.If the product is applied in several layers, the next layer can be applied only after the previous one has completely dried.

In more detail about the methods of restoration of enamel we described in this stuff.

Polishing Tips

The surface of a neglected cast-iron bathtub, which has ceased to shine and is covered with numerous scratches, can be resuscitated by polishing. This procedure refreshes the appearance of enamel.

Polishing work is carried out in the following order:

• the surface is cleaned of contaminants using one of the methods proposed above;
• the clean coating is rinsed and wiped with a dry cloth;
• a special composition intended for polishing paint and varnish surfaces, for example, car polish, is applied to enamel;
• the coating is polished, preferably using a grinding machine with a soft nozzle or manually, using a microfiber cloth.

After the surface of the bath begins to shine, rinse it and wipe it dry.

It must be understood that only a new layer of enamel can return a perfect appearance to a product. But if you regularly care for the coating and do not put objects inside that could damage the enamel layer, the bath will look perfect for ten or more years

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video instructions for cleaning the bath at home using various improvised tools:

Any types of contaminants that appear on the enameled coating of the cast-iron bathtub during operation can be removed with household chemicals or folk remedies. The most important thing is to prevent neglected cases, clean the bowl on time, and devote time to the prevention of difficult to remove contaminants.

If none of the proposed means and methods of cleaning helps to get rid of the problem, it is better to contact specialists. They will carry out professional complex surface treatment and cover it with fresh layer of enamelafter which the bath will be almost like new.

Perhaps you know other effective ways to clean a cast-iron bath from plaque? Please tell visitors about our site about them. Leave your comments, share experiences, ask questions in the block below.