All About Cleaning Fiberglass and Acrylic Showers
If you’re building a new home or remodeling, you may be considering the options available in shower and tub materials. For newer homes, two very popular materials used in bathrooms are fiberglass and acrylic.
Here we’ll cover acrylic and fiberglass shower and tub modules. And, the best way to easily clean them without any scrubbing.
What’s the difference between an acrylic shower module and a fiberglass module?
Acrylic shower modules are made of acrylic sheets that are heated and drawn into a mold by a vacuum forming process. Then, the shaped acrylic sheets are coated with resin and glass fibers for strength and durability.
The benefits of acrylic include:
- A durable acrylic surface and composite backing material compose acrylic. Therefore, it easily stands up to the rigors of everyday use with a minimum of cracking or chipping.
- This type of material is also a non-porous surface, which makes cleaning easy. Depending on the frequency of use, acrylic may require less maintenance when compared to other bathroom materials.
- Acrylic modules retain their color and luster longer than other shower materials.
- Acrylic warms and cools faster than other tub materials. In a warm room, an acrylic tub will be warm to the touch. An acrylic tub will retain warm water temperatures longer than other materials.
- A quality acrylic modular has structural ribs located behind the base to provide additional support.
- Acrylic modules are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors.
A mix of polyester resin and woven glass fibers compose fiberglass shower modules. It is then poured or sprayed into a mold that forms a seamless shape.
Another way to identify fiberglass is gel coat. The gel coating consists of a thin layer of shiny, smooth material applied over a reinforced fiberglass base.
This gives fiberglass its beautiful luster and color.
The benefits of fiberglass include:
- Fiberglass material is lightweight and easy to move about. Considering the material’s weight, fiberglass is flexible, durable, and strong.
- With proper cleaning and maintenance, fiberglass will retain its color and luster for years.
- Fiberglass is more permeable than acrylic. It will stain over time if not properly cleaned.
- Fiberglass modules are inexpensive and easy to install. Repair the gel coat finish if needed.
Which material is more durable?
Considerably, acrylic is more durable than fiberglass. This is because acrylic doesn’t scratch or puncture as easily.
But, the molding process involves stretching the material, which can create weak spots. Repairing an acrylic unit can be costly.
Additionally, fiberglass scratches and loses its color. However, repairs are less expensive than repairing acrylic.
Ultimately, both are vulnerable to scratching and fading over time but acrylic tends to be more durable.
Which material is more expensive?
Fiberglass is usually the least expensive option. Acrylic lasts longer than fiberglass and requires fewer repairs, which makes it a top choice for bathroom modules.
Both materials are inexpensive with prices ranging from $100 to $550 dollars for a standard tub.
Are there bathroom cleaners that shouldn’t be used on acrylic or fiberglass?
Avoid cleaners that contain abrasives as they will scratch and dull the finish of acrylic and fiberglass.
Which material is more prone to mold and mildew?
Compared to fiberglass, acrylic is less susceptible to mold and mildew stains.
If fiberglass isn’t cleaned properly, then it tends to absorb more water than acrylic surfaces. The more water it absorbs, the more likely mold and mildew will form.
How do I clean an acrylic or fiberglass shower and tub?
Acrylic and fiberglass can scratch easily. Avoid using commercial aerosol cleaners, harsh cleaners, and solvents.
Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth or sponge when cleaning. A textured sponge will scratch or damage surfaces.
Clean the shower weekly with a mild cleanser and water to prevent soap scum and grime build-up.
Wet & Forget Shower is a no-scrub weekly shower cleaner that is gentle on acrylic and fiberglass surfaces. It is also non-abrasive, so it won’t scratch bathroom surfaces as it cleans.
Wet & Forget Shower stamps out soap scum, mold, mildew, and shower grime. Just spray Wet & Forget Shower weekly and rinse for a sparkling, continually clean bath.
For the best results, leave Wet & Forget Shower on the surface for 8-12 hours (but no more than 24 hours).
Wet & Forget Shower contains no bleach, ammonia, or dyes. No more breathing in harsh fumes!
You’ll enjoy a light vanilla scent as you clean. Wet & Forget Shower is gentle enough to use on all bath surfaces. From fiberglass to fixtures – even the shower curtain liner!
Applying Wet & Forget Shower
- Open the flip cap on the bottle.
- Detach the trigger sprayer from the holster.
- Then gently pull on the clear tubing to uncoil the clear tubing. It will stretch out to be 3 feet long.
- Firmly press the white, hose tip into the opening on the cap until it clicks into place.
- Slide the lever to the ‘OPEN’ setting.
- Rotate the nozzle on the sprayer to the desired setting (spray or stream).
- Wet shower surfaces and then let the solution sit for 8 to 12 hours before rinsing.
More About Wet & Forget Shower
Break free from the drudge of constant bath and shower cleaning. Just spray Wet & Forget Shower on bath surfaces once a week to enjoy a fresh, clean bathroom all week long.
Also, it is economically priced. You’ll enjoy a clean bath for about 35% less cost than most daily shower cleaners.
Wet & Forget Shower’s 64-ounce container provides 12 full weeks of cleaning power. That’s equal to buying eight, 32-ounce bottles of the most daily shower cleaners.
This means fewer trips to the store for you and fewer empty containers sitting in the landfill.
Wet & Forget Shower’s trigger sprays 65% more product than most trigger sprayers. Moreover, the sprayer extends to 3-feet so you can reach far corners quickly and easily. Which makes for faster and easier cleaning.
The bleach-free formula cleans and prevents the build-up of soap scum and everyday shower grime. It also cleans away mold & mildew stains on hard, non-porous surfaces.
You can use Wet & Forget Shower to rid your bathroom sink, toilets, or washer of any soap scum or mold, and mildew!
Wet & Forget Shower goes to work on contact to keeps your shower clean all week long.
