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:
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