Maintaining a Cast Iron Tub

By Team SimplyBathtubs.com . July 20th, 2009

Cast iron bathtubs are great for historic beauty and elegance. They are perfect for people that have a period home with lots of details from past eras. So, it shouldn’t be any surprise that cast iron clawfoot tubs have re-emerged in bathroom trends. Cast iron baths are certainly dramatic pieces for the period bathroom.

Cast iron is well known for its lasting quality. The color of a fractured surface can be used to identify an alloy. White cast iron is named after its white surface when fractured due to its carbide impurities, which allow cracks to pass straight through. Grey cast iron is named after its grey fractured surface, which occurs because the graphitic flakes deflect a passing crack and initiate countless new cracks as the material breaks.

If the surface becomes dirty, use a general purpose cleaner that is water soluble. Try not to use cream-based cleaners as they can cause build up. Glass cleaners work wonderful on bathtubs, use harsher cleaners like Formula 409 only when absolutely needed. Do not use steel wool while cleaning or any abrasive materials as they can ruin the finish. If you have a bathtub shower, remember to regularly use mildew stain remover. Make sure your shower head doesn’t drip after it’s turned off as this can lead to rusting. From time to time you may notice rust buildup. Use a rust and iron stain remover or muriatic acid to get rid of rust.
 
Rinse thoroughly after cleaning. Any remaining cleaner can build up and reduce friction on slip-resistant surfaces. It is recommended to towel dry the tub after every bath to reduce rust occurrence. If the surface becomes dirty, use a general purpose cleaner that is water soluble and rinse thoroughly after cleaning. With these simple tips, it’s easy to maintain a lovely and well-cared for cast iron bathtub.
 


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