How to Unclog a Bathtubs Drain

Has your bathtub drain clogged itself? Don't waste your money on a plumber if you can clear it yourself! If your bathtub has not completely stopped up, you may not need to utilize any drastic measures. Follow each step sequentially if the preceding step does not work.

Removethe drain cover and clean under the surface of the drain. You will find that hair has accumulated underneath the drain, particularly if your drain uses a screw to hold itself into place.

Use a bent wire hanger or "The Drain Claw" to clear deeplyinset clogs. First straighten the coat hanger out, then make a hook in the end. Use it to pull out any hair and other particles that are in your drain. Pull the gunk out. Do not push it in. Pushing it in can clog your drain more than it already is. The easiest and most effective tool for a slow or clogged bathtub drain caused by hair is "The Drain Claw". You simply insert "The Drain Claw" into the drain, working your way around the opening or stopper and giving it a twist. With over 100 small interlocking hooks, "The Drain Claw" will grab hair and allow you to pull it out. Simple and effective. You can make your own "drain hair remover" with plastic strapping tape that is used for binding boxes or shipping crates. Just cut a length approximately 30 inches more or less and use your scissors to snip the plastic on both sides, creating "snags" for the hair and gunk. Insert down drain and push down drain. Remove. Run water to flush drain. This is a free fix with reused materials.

Use hot water. This works best if your drain is not completely clogged. Get a pot with a few cups of hot, but not boiling water. Carefully pour the water directly into the drain. Avoid splashing the hot water. Kettles are useful for easy pouring. Let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes before using the plunger. Many plumbing professionals now do not recommend using boiling water on the possibility that it may melt or liquify any sealants or wax or rubber gaskets used for the plumbing fittings or connections.

Combine 1/3 cup baking soda with 1/3 cup vinegar in a large liquid measuringcup, pitcher or bowl. Quickly pour the entire contents of the container down the drain. The faster you can do this, the better, because the fizzing action will gradually die out.

Use a plunger. Turn on the hot water and fill your tub with enough water to cover the clog. Pull with the plunger about 10 times to ensure that you fully clear the clog. The moving water underneath the drain will help to clear up the drain more quickly.

Try a "snake" that you can purchase at any hardware store.It is a spring steel cable with a spring on the plumbing end and a crank on the user end. It can go up to 15 to 25 feet down into the pipes, collecting debris. This is what most plumbers (by the time they're called in) get the most success with.

Use a shop vacuum. Remove the inside bag and filters. Set it up for vacuuming liquids. Be sure to cover up vent to prevent a mess. Put the hose on the drain before turning on the shop vacuum. When it is on tight and the vent is covered, have a second person turn on the vacuum. This will draw all debris up the water trap and into the vacuum. The clog occurred going down the drain. It will be more easily cleared drawing it back than packing it down.

Consider calling a plumber before using chemical products.. Drain cleaners contain caustic chemicals that will dissolve any clogging particles in your drain, but after a while will also corrode your metal pipes. If you do choose to use such a product, be sure to follow the instructions carefully.

Source: wikihow

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Bathroom Mirrors Cleaning Tips

Is there anything more annoying than gazing into a bathroom mirror and encountering a streaky vision of yourself? Consider the problem solved. To clean mirrors, use a clean, dry cloth and one of the following solutions:

1. Mix 1/3 cup clear ammonia in 1 gallon warm water. Apply it with a sponge or pour the solution into a spray container, and spray it directly on the mirror. Buff with a lint-free cloth, chamois, or paper towel.Vinegar may be substituted for ammonia.
2. Pour vinegar into a shallow bowl or pan, then crumple a sheet of newspaper, dip it in the vinegar, and apply to the mirror. Wipe the glass several times with the same newspaper until the mirror is almost dry. Then shine it with a clean, soft cloth or dry newspaper.
3. Mix 2 cups isopropyl rubbing alcohol (70 percent solution), 2 tablespoons liquid dishwashing detergent, and 2 cups water. Stir until thoroughly mixed, and then pour into a spray bottle. Spray directly on the mirror. Buff with a lint-free cloth, chamois, or paper towel.

Source: howstuffworks

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How to Clean a Porcelain Bathtub or Sink

What You Need

Liquid dishwashing soap

Ammonia

Baking Soda

Lemon Oil

Lemon Old Rag

Nylonor Soft Sponge

Bucket

Instructions

1. Cast-iron is traditionally covered with a porcelain enamel that's fused to cast-iron in a furnace. While porcelain is a highly durable surface, it's susceptible to chips, cracking and dulling of the finish. If you use the wrong products, you will accelerate the degradation of the surface, so let's begin by talking about what not to use. Abrasive cleaners such as scouring powders, white vinegar (or other cleaners with a high acidic content), and steel wool should all be avoided, as they can damage the finish. For the best results, always start with the gentlest cleaner and work your way up to more powerful applications. Remember, proper care will simplify ongoing maintenance.

2. For gentle weekly cleaning, mix 2 tablespoons of dishwashing soap containing a grease cutting agent with 1 gallon of hot water. Use a soft rag or sponge to dip into the soap mixture and scrub the tub or sink. Rinse well.

3. For monthly or deep cleaning (when moving into a new home or cleaning up a newly purchased vintage tub or sink), pour warm water into a bucket and add 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of ammonia. While baking soda is slightly abrasive, it's mild and generally safe to use on porcelain, while ammonia cuts grease and soap scum buildup.

4. Soak a non-abrasive sponge in the baking soda/ammonia solution. Scrub the surface of your porcelain bathtub or sink, paying particular attention to stained areas.

5. Dip the sponge in the solution, scrub and repeat until you're satisfied.

6. Rinse well.

7. After rinsing, wipe thoroughly with a clean rag or the baking soda will leave a white film behind.

8. As a last resort, mainly for tough-to-remove rust stains, cover the stain with table salt. Take half of a lemon and squeeze the juice over the salt. (I have also heard cream of tartar and lemon juice works, but have never tried it). Scrub the salt/lemon mixture with a clean cloth or a nylon sponge. If the stain still doesn't come up, leave the paste-mixture on the stain for an hour or so. Squeeze more lemon juice on the stain and try scrubbing the stain again, then rinse and wipe clean.

9. To add shine and a protective coating, squeeze a small amount of lemon oil onto a clean rag and rub the lemon oil into the sides of the porcelain bathtub or sink, avoiding the bottom of the tub to prevent slipping. The lemon oil will help repel soap scum and other dirt to keep the sink/tub clean longer, and it smells good, too!

10. If none of these suggestions work and your tub or sink still looks a bit lackluster, it might be worth the investment to have your fixture re-glazed by a professional. While there are DIY re-glazing kits on the market, the results are usually shoddy and do not last. Unlike fiberglass or acrylic, your cast-iron fixture can stand the test of time, so it's well worth the expense to hire a specialist for the job. Keep in mind, this doesn't run cheap. I was quoted around $500. While if properly cared for, it should last for many years, the finish will not be as durable as the original porcelain finish. Re-glazing, done in your home by a professional, is not a duplication of the tub's original porcelain dip-coat, but actually a specially formulated gloss paint. In some cases, you can send a valuable cast iron tub off-site for a new dip-coat, but this is usually extremely pricey.

Source: apartmenttherapy

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Tips in Cleaning the Bathtubs

Cleaning the bathtub gives backache to everyone because of this problem I will give you some tips and tricks in cleaning the bathtub and keep it clean to avoid back pain. So what are you waiting for assemble your cleaning tools and supplies.

Whatyou need

liquid detergent

spray bottle

protective gloves

mild abrasive cleansing product

scrubber, brush or sponge

Bathtub cleaner recipe

Mix a solution of a degreasing liquid detergent and water in a spray bottle

Mix together in a spray bottle:

1 cup liquid detergent

3 cups hot water

Long Handled Bathtub Cleaning Tool

Use a long handled cleaning tools to eliminates the need for bending over the tub. This tools is like a sponge mop, it has a thick , square sponge at the end of an extended handle.

It easily reaches the whole tub and conforms to the rounded corners. It's easy to rinse out as you simply stick it under the faucet and sqeeze it several times until clean.

Sponge or scrubber

If you don't have any of those tools , you will need to use a larger household sponge, bend over and do it in traditional way. After going over the surface completely , rinse thoroughly and check for the stubborn areas.

Bathtub cleaning

**First put away all the stuffs in your bathtub like shampoo bottle etc. because it is easier and faster if these things are out of the way.

-Before you start scrubbing the bathtub, wet the bathtub and sprinkle or spray the detergent and water cleaner.

-Then lightly scrub at the heavily grimed up areas of the tub.

-Now let your cleaner sit on the dirt and grime and allow it to work for 10 minutes or so. This way the detergent can begin breaking down the grime.
-When the time is up, go back to scrubbing, and the dirt should come off fairly easily.
-After cleaning a section, spray or splash with clean water to mark your progress.
-If the dirt is still not coming off easily you can spray the area with a more heavy duty cleaner like Tilex ® and let it sit for a few minutes before you tackle it again.
-Rinse the tub with clean water to remove any soap residue and avoid streaking.

**When it is done, practice regular maintenance like wiping down the tub after using

Cleaning hard water spots or mineral deposits

-Mix about 3/4 cup automatic dishwasher detergent to one gallon of water.

-Sponge solution on and allow to set 15 minutes, keeping surfaces wet, in order to dissolve spots.
-Rub with a scrub brush or white or green scrubby.
-Repeat applications may be necessary.
-Rinse and dry.

Natural cleaners and deodorizers

-Using baking soda and water paste makes an effective scum remover , fights odor and mildew.

-Spraying hot white vinegar on surface is effective on scrum, sanitizes and removes odor. Do not use vinegar on stone surfaces such as marble, travertine or granite as it will damage and permanently etch the surface.

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