So you finished your bathroom and all the dust has settled and has been cleaned. Now the question becomes: how do we keep your bathroom sparkling and new for years to come?
Here are the best practices you can follow or share with whomever is cleaning your home:
Register your warranty
Your bathroom has a lot of moving parts from many different brands and typically we leave the manuals and instructions in the top drawer of the cabinet for future reference. As well as any particular tools that may come in handy for future maintenance. Make sure you keep these in a safe place for future reference in the unlikely event that you would need them.
Ceiling
If you have purchased a fan, it’s probably a good idea to remove the fan cover plate once every season as you will notice dust will start to sit on the grill. (Tip:You can run it in the dishwasher with your dishes and then snap it back in place) If you have any heat lamps it’s good to keep spare bulbs. If you have a ceiling light fixture, cleaning it once every season is great practice as well. When the lights burn out, it’s good to have extra bulbs that may be particular to your fan to make your life easier.
Glass Door Maintenance
Using a squeegee after every use is the best way to keep your glass clean. Never use sharp objects or powder pads on metal pieces or on the glass panels. Occasionally wiping down with a mild soap diluted in water is all that is needed.
Mirrors
As a kid, I remember always spraying the mirror and trying to wipe it down but do you ever wonder why your mirror starts to look like it’s missing or pitting away at the bottom? To avoid this from happening, spray your cloth instead and wipe the mirror. This will keep it looking good for a long time.
Faucets & Fixtures
Always remember to read and follow the manufacturers recommendations but these are the common practices I have found over the years. Do not allow water residue to come into prolonged contact with the surface finish. After each use, gently dry the product’s surface with a clean soft cloth to prevent water-spotting and mineral build up. We recommend that products be cleaned with a mild, non-abrasive liquid soap, warm water and soft cloth. Never use abrasive products, chemicals, corrosives that are very strong or in powder form; including toothpaste, detergents, scouring products, window cleaners and disinfectants. A mild detergent, warm water and a soft cloth will remove normal dirt and soap accumulations on the surface. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning and wipe with a soft dry cloth to restore original lustre on its surface.
Tub & Shower Surround Maintenance
We’ve designed these Marble-ite products to be easy-to-clean. The main thing to remember when cleaning the surface is to never use abrasive cleaners or abrasive sponges or cloths. The surface is very similar to what is on the outside of a boat so you can clean and care for it the same way as you would a boat. Use soft cloths and cleaners such as:
- Top Job
- Lysol
- Mr. Clean
- Scrubbing Bubbles
- Pinesol
- Basin, tub, & tile cleaner
- Clean Shower
- Clorox Cleanup
- Soft Scrub’s green gel
There are a lot of other cleaners that can be used. If you’re not sure it’s safe, you can rub the cleaner between your fingers; if you feel any grit don’t use it. However, if your product has a matte finish, a mild abrasive cleaner can be used occasionally. Regardless of if it is cultured marble or Tyvarian, it is still considered cultured or synthetic marble. If you are unsure of a cleaner, read the label on the cleaning container. Avoid using sharp objects or toys on the surface that could scratch it.
One thing you can do to keep the surface easy-to-clean is use a turtle wax about once a year. You can wax the surface with an automotive turtle wax or Gel Gloss (Gel Gloss is a wax made especially for gel coated finishes and can be found at most bathroom supply stores). Don’t wax the bottom surface of a tub because it makes it slippery. If you use a regular car wax that is blue, stay away from the caulk lines because the wax can stain the caulking. Regular cleaning is recommended to keep your marble looking its best. If you have not cleaned it on a regular basis and soap scum and hard water spots have collected, there are a couple things you can do. You can use an ice scraper made for your car windshield to scrape the walls of your tub surround/shower. You can also mix equal amounts of water and white vinegar which is a good cleaning solution to take off water spots.
Natural Stones
Although most natural stone doesn’t need to be sealed, it does help the stone resist spills and staining . Natural stone is like a sponge – it’s pourus. It absorbs whatever is spilled on it. I highly recommend it to be sealed. Sealer breaks down over time and needs to be sealed typically every two years. A tip is to take some water and sprinkle it on wherever your natural stone is living and see if the water beads on it and stays on top of the countertop or if it simply disappears and gets absorbed into the natural stone it’s probably time to seal it again. Not taking care of your countertop can lead to etching and staining. Remember a properly sealed surface will cause liquids to bead on top of them.
Vanity Maintenance
Cultured Marble & Marbelite
If you set curling irons or straighteners on your vanity, it is possible for it to get a burned yellow mark. Prevent this by not putting these items directly on your countertop.
Wood Vanity
Use a lint free cloth for regular dusting. Do not use pre-moistened dusting sheets (they may damage the finish). For everyday cleaning, use a damp cloth and dry immediately. To remove general soil or grease, we recommend Murphy Oil Soap Original Formula. It is a great cleaner for all your wood surfaces.
Quartz Countertop
Clean with a soft rag and ph-balanced detergent if necessary. The detergent must be non-bleach and non-abrasive. Wipe away liquids, stains and spills as soon as possible. For dried or heavy stains, use a glass cleaner and a non-abrasive sponge. Spray cleaner over the counter and leave for 8-10 minutes. Then wipe away with the non-scratch sponge. For gum, grease or paint, remove with a plastic knife and then clean the rest with a soft rag.
Toilet
Wash it with mild, soapy water, rinse thoroughly with clear water and dry with a soft cloth. Do not use in-tank cleaners. These products can seriously corrode fittings in the tank. This damage can cause leakage and property damage.
Acrylic-bathtubs, shower bases & walls
To keep your acrylic looking bright and smooth, use mild liquid household detergents, soap & water or foaming cleansers. Never use aromatic solvents, abrasive cleaners, scouring compounds or pads strong liquid cleansers or other materials that could damage or dull the surface of your walls, showers or bathtub.
Whirlpool (Jetted) Tub Maintenance
Your jetted tub’s pump and piping should be cleaned out every few months. Your tub’s system actually stays cleaner the more you use your jets. Every couple of months fill the tub above the jets with hot water and add several teaspoons low sudsing automatic dishwashing detergent or a few cups bleach. Run the jets for about 15 minutes, drain the tub, fill again and run clean water through for another 15 minutes. If you haven’t used the tub much and it needs a heavy duty cleaning, do this process several days in a row. Do not use caustic drain cleaners in your tub.
Flooring
Protect your investment: sweep or vacuum every few days and use the recommended cleaners to keep your bathroom flooring looking brand new for years to come.
We hope these tips will help you maintain your bathroom for years to come. If you need any help feel free to call the showroom and we will gladly help you with any questions you may have.
