Thinking of Purchasing a Copper Tub? Here Are 5 Tips to Help You Maintain it!

For many people the bathroom says as much aboutwho live in an area where there is hard water, the
personal style as almost any other room in the house.mineral content of the water will be high and
The one thing many people want is a feature youadditional precautions will need to be taken as mineral
don't find in everyone else's home. Although copperdeposits can harm the finish of a copper bathtub.
bathtubs have been popular in the U.S. since the daysSimply rinse and wipe dry after each use in order to
of the pioneers, because they could be set in frontprevent buildup of these raw materials in order to
of a fire to help water stay warm, many people doprevent damage to the copper.
not choose this option because they believe they are4. Periodically wax the tub. The best way to tell if
difficult to maintain. Nothing could be farther from thethe copper tub's surface is protected is to watch for
truth. In fact, they are not only easy to care for, butbeading of water when it is applied. This ensures that
can also benefit one's health.there is no buildup of mineral deposits and that the
Copper bathtubs are sophisticated and luxuriousfinish is unscathed. To ensure protection, the tub
providing an eye-catching detail that, althoughshould be waxed periodically in order to provide the
somewhat more expensive than a traditional porcelainextra protection it needs. This can be done with
tub, are filled with personality and charm. Thebeeswax or wax used for plumbing fixtures such as
handcraftsmanship also makes it a product that iscopper faucets. How often you need to wax the tub
hard to beat. It's important to remember thatdepends on the quality of the water where you live
regardless of maintenance procedures selected,and how often the tub is used. For copper tubs in a
copper is more delicate than other finishes and,2nd bathroom this would be required much less often
therefore, can be scratched or damaged by abrasivethat for those located in a master bathroom.
substance or harsh products so be sure and check5. Watch the content of added fragrances. For those
before you apply any cleaning products to thewho enjoy adding special things like fragrances or
surface. Here are five simple tips for maintaining thebubbles to a bath, it's important to remember than
beauty of any copper tub:some substances are harmful to copper and,
1. Wash with a mild soap, rinse, and wipe it dry aftertherefore, manufacturer recommendations will need
each use. The buildup of mineral deposits will harmto be consulted before use. For instance, lemon is
the finish of a copper tub more than anything else.high in acid as well as corrosive and would, therefore,
The best way to ensure its beauty is to rinse it withbe harmful to the finish on a copper bathtub.
a mild soap solution and wipe it dry after use eachThe popularity of installing a copper bathtub is
day ensuring that its quality and elegance last agrowing for a variety of reasons. It is not only
lifetime.elegant and aesthetically pleasing, but is also easy to
2. Don't over clean. Many people believe that souringclean, keeps water warm longer, and is much lighter
and using abrasive cleaners is the only way to ensurein weight than traditional vintage cast iron tubs. When
sanitary conditions in a bathtub. Actually, copper hasleft untreated, copper eventually turns green and
natural bacteria-fighting agents and, therefore, thethen red because of oxidization. Although this may be
less done the better. Additionally, certain cleaningthe desired effect for many, to prevent color change
agents can be corrosive to the copper finish.and to keep it shiny you may want to ensure a resin
Degreasers, ammonia, acid-based cleaners, andcoating has been added to protect the finish.
abrasive scrubbers will all damage the finish and,Regardless of the style of the copper bathtub
thereby, eliminating the natural components that areselected, a copper tub will add a beautiful focal point
actually healthy for the human body.to any bathroom.
3. Prevent the buildup of mineral deposits. For those