Top Bathtub Designs & How To Easily Clean a Tub
Cleaning the bathtub isn’t a chore that most people look forward to. It typically requires too much scrubbing, strong chemical odors, and back-breaking work.
Here we’ll cover the most popular bathtub designs as well as how to easily clean a tub and bath fixtures without any scrubbing or wiping using Wet & Forget Shower.
Bathtubs are available in a dizzying array of materials, finishes, shapes, and installations.
Common types of bathtub materials available include:
Enamel coated steel A tub made of formed steel with a porcelain/enamel coating is one of the best budget-friendly options. Unfortunately, steel pulls heat from water so bath water will cool quickly.
Also, the enamel surface is prone to chips and bumps. If you are deciding between fiberglass, acrylic, and steel, keep in mind that enamel-coated steel is approximately double the weight of plastics.
Gel-coated Fiberglass Fiberglass is another strong, yet lightweight material for bathtubs. Fiberglass tubs are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes as it is easy to mold into almost any shape.
A fiberglass is a budget-friendly option for a freestanding tub. A fiberglass tub may be inexpensive, but they are susceptible to mold and mildew, stains, cracking, and color fading.
High gloss acrylic Acrylic is a popular choice due to its attractive, high-gloss finish and smooth feel. Acrylic works well with most tub installations, including whirlpool designs.
Acrylic tubs are available at several price points ranging from inexpensive to luxe, high-end models that are priced in the thousands. The advantages of owning a tub made of acrylic include:
- Unlike enamel-coated steel, which is cold to the touch, an acrylic tub is warm and welcoming.
- Acrylic is chip and crack-resistant
- Tolerates high water temperatures and resists fading due to ultraviolet light
- Acrylic is resistant to mold, mildew, and harsh chemicals
- Since it is easy to mold, acrylic is available in a wide variety of shapes, including custom designs.
When cleaning an acrylic tub, do not use an abrasive cleaner as the finish may scratch.
Natural Stone Natural stone tubs include those made from travertine, onyx, limestone, sandstone, and more.
If you wish to make a luxe statement in your bath, then natural stone is a top choice.
Stone tubs are very heavy so make sure your bathroom floor can support the weight, which can be 2,000 lbs. or more. Although natural stone can be expensive, it’s beautiful, durable, and retains heat well. And unlike steel or plastics, it isn’t susceptible to chips or cracks.
Keep in mind natural stone may have special cleaning requirements depending on the stone.
Cast-polymer This tub material is manufactured from crushed stones mixed with polyester resin, and then finished with a gel coating. Sometimes called “engineered stone”, this tub material resembles natural stone for a more budget-friendly price.
Cast-polymer tubs are stain-resistant and easy to clean, but they are more costly than acrylic tubs. In addition, cracks are not repairable like it is with an acrylic tub.
So, when looking for a cast-polymer tub choose a quality, well-known brand.
Cast-iron These rugged bathtubs are manufactured of molded iron with an enamel-coated exterior. Highly durable cast iron provides good heat retention.
The thick enamel coating is scratch and chip resistant. Cast-iron tubs are available in almost any color you desire to easily match your bath décor.
Cast iron is very heavy and expensive; weighing approximately 1,000 lbs. Due to its heft, a cast-iron tub is best for a ground-floor installation. If you wish to install one upstairs, structural reinforcement may be necessary to support the tub’s weight.
The most common tub installations include:
Alcove is the most common tub installation. Alcove refers to a tub installation that is adjacent to three walls with one open side.
This type of tub installation offers the option of adding a showerhead and faucets as well. Alcove tubs are one of the most affordable options, and a good choice if you are replacing an old alcove tub with a new one.
Freestanding A freestanding tub sits away from the wall, with no sides touching. Similar to clawfoot tubs, they stand on a base or feet.
Freestanding tubs take up more floor space than alcove styles because they do not sit flush along a wall. These tubs are popular with consumers due to the wide variety of options available.
Drop-in tubs are sometimes referred to as platform tubs. The manufacturer provides only the tub’s shell. The shell is ‘dropped’ into a frame, which has been designed to enhance the room’s decor.
Installing a drop-in tub is more complex than comparable installations since the enclosure will need to be installed as well as the tub. Drop-in tubs give a homeowner more options when choosing the design and look of the bath.
Walk-in Popular with seniors and those with limited mobility, a walk-in tub has a watertight door which allows the bather to enter the enclosure easily. Moreover, walk-in tubs usually have seats and handrails as well.
After the bather enters and closes the door, the tub fills with water. When finished, the water will drain then the bather can safely exit.
How to Clean a Tub
Are you tired of getting down on your hands and knees to scrub your tub? Not sure how to clean a tub without extra scrubbing and labor? Say goodbye to bathtub grime with Wet & Forget Shower.
Wet & Forget Shower’s no-scrub formula makes cleaning your tub quick and easy. Simply clean a tub by just spraying it once a week and the next day rinse it clean. Wet & Forget Shower is safe to use on all your tub and shower surfaces including fixtures!
The only surface we don’t advise using Wet & Forget Shower on is natural marble. Wet & Forget Shower banishes soap scum and dirt, leaving you with a clean fresh-smelling bathtub.
Furthermore, it is able to clean mold and mildew on hard, non-porous areas of your shower like the tiles or tub.
Unlike once-a-day shower sprays, Wet & Forget Shower keeps your tub clean with just one weekly spray. So, no tedious scrubbing required!
Moreover, one container of Wet & Forget Shower will last up to 12 weeks. Thus saving you money and trips to the store.
Wet & Forget Shower is also equipped with an extendable trigger sprayer so you can easily reach those far, out-of-the-way spots. No more bending or backaches!
How To Apply Wet & Forget Shower
- Open the flip cap on the bottle.
- Detach the trigger sprayer from the holster. To do so, push the trigger sprayer in one direction.
- 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.
- Then slide the lever to the ‘OPEN’ setting.
- Turn the nozzle on the sprayer to the desired setting (wide spray or stream). The wide spray will have 5 lines whereas the stream will have 2 lines marked on the nozzle.
- Spray down shower surfaces. When finished, turn the lever to the ‘CLOSED’ setting and return the sprayer to the slot on the handle.
For a clean shower, leave Wet & Forget Shower on the surface for 8-12 hours (no more than 24 hours). Then rinse shower surfaces well with warm water.
Click here to find Wet and Forget Shower at a store near you and online. Or give us a call at 888-727-8524, M-F 8:30 am-5 pm CT.
Remember, the cleanability and durability can be affected by the material of your bathtub. Keep your bathtub clean with just one weekly application of Wet & Forget Shower. No scrubbing or wiping necessary!
