To wash or not to wash – is a melamine sponge dangerous for an acrylic bathtub?

Today, debate among housewives continues about whether it is possible to wash an acrylic bathtub with a melamine sponge. After all, small pieces of elastic foam material clean almost any surface very well. But you shouldn’t try to remove dirt from an acrylic bathtub in this way - a sponge can permanently ruin the glossy finish.

What is melamine sponge?

The first manufacturer of the material was the German company Basotect, which has been producing melanin for construction needs for more than 20 years. It was used as a heat insulator for pipes, external and internal walls of buildings, as well as for soundproofing rooms.

About 10 years ago, Procter & Gamble began producing melamine sponges as a cleaning product. The abrasive properties of the material make it easy to clean almost any surface, even from old contaminants, including grease. Microporous foam with an open cell structure is very hard. When used, the melamine sponge acts like very fine sandpaper. Melamine penetrates into the smallest surface irregularities, cleans and polishes them.

In order to enhance the cleaning properties of melamine, manufacturers recommend moistening sponges before work. Then they pick up more dirt.

A modern cleaning product can remove traces of:

• pencils;
• waterproof markers;
• ink;
• other contaminants.

The sponge can be used to treat tiles, furniture facades, wallpaper, and it cleans pots and pans well. But it cannot be used on surfaces coated with glossy varnish or car paint. Manufacturers also do not recommend using a melamine sponge to remove stains from monitors, TV screens, and other equipment with a plastic body.

The acrylic from which bathtubs are made is a very delicate material. It should absolutely not be cleaned with fine-grained products. And melamine sponges are a powerful abrasive. Such material will not only remove dirt from the surface of the acrylic bathtub, but will also damage its smooth surface.

Experts recommend that before using a melamine foam sponge, try it on a small area of ​​the product that needs to be cleaned. If, upon careful examination, scuffs and scratches are not noticeable on the surface, then you can use a sponge.

How can you clean an acrylic bathtub?

You need to take care of your acrylic bathtub from the very first days after its installation. After each bath, clean the bowl with warm water and a soft cloth. When the water has drained, wipe the surface dry - this will help avoid the formation of limescale.

If water and cloth alone are not enough, then it is recommended to use special cleaning products for the bath. The instructions should indicate that they are intended for polymer surfaces.

Solutions for cleaning acrylic bathtubs include:

• "Mr. Cheester" – effectively removes plaque from the bathtub, has a bactericidal and antifungal effect;
• "Tim Pro" – removes stubborn stains, yellowness;
• "Akrilan" – removes soap and limescale deposits, traces of rust, yellow spots, mold, and after rinsing it acts as a protective agent;
• "Ravac" – cleans and disinfects acrylic surfaces.

But frequent use of industrial creams and bath gels is not always a suitable option.

For families with small children, as well as those who do not want to use chemicals in the bathroom, this method of cleaning the bathtub is suitable:

1. The bowl is filled with water (temperature 45–50 degrees).
2. Add 100 g of citric acid or 1.5 liters of vinegar.
3. The solution is left until it cools, the water is drained, the walls are rinsed, and wiped with a dry cloth.

Soft cleansers work well to remove dirt from acrylic surfaces:

• shower gel;
• liquid soap;
• shampoo;
• dishwashing liquid.

These liquids are used to remove minor contaminants.

So, a melamine sponge can ruin a smooth acrylic bathtub. But you can use foam material to clean faucets, tiles, and to remove dirt from the seams between tiles.