Cleaning Porcelain
Tips For Cleaning Porcelain
Cleaning porcelain, of course, must be done very carefully. This is a beautiful finish to have in your home, but it can be easily damaged, stained, and chipped with everyday use and wear. There are a great many chemicals that we use without question on our tile and countertops, but these can easily dull and eat away the delicate finish of your porcelain fixtures. To begin cleaning porcelain bathtubs, you will want to use a mild detergent, even a dish washing liquid will do, warm water, and a sponge. Scrub as hard as you wish, as this will not damage your finish at all. Once the surface grime has been lifted and rinsed away, you can dry your bathtub with an ultra absorbent towel and assess the stains which need attention.
Find a very mildly abrasive cleanser for cleaning porcelain surfaces, such as the gentle sprays available at your local grocer or department store. Try to ensure that they do not have bleach or ammonia in them, as these can cause irreversible damage. If you need to, you can use a soft rubber scouring pad, the type which is safe for Teflon coatings. This will allow you to muscle at the stain a little bit while reducing the chance of scratches. Most porcelain bathtubs are formed of iron or other hard metals, and if the porcelain plating is too far gauged you may get into some trouble with rust as well. Without compounding your troubles and your work load, gently work at the stain until it fades.
Cleaning porcelain antiques and dishes is another matter altogether, as the breakage or damage of these items can leave us feeling quite blue. A simple hand washing will do for those who have maintained their pieces for quite some time. The most common issue then is dust, and here is how you might deal with it. Do one dish at a time, as piling them together could cause chips or breakage. Wash them with a mild dish soap in a rubber dish pan. Rinse them with warm water, not hot, and place them gently on some newspaper or paper towel. Drip drying is best, and then a quick towel dry before they are put away will keep them clean and happy.
For cleaning porcelain pieces that you have just purchased, or that have been salvaged and are in need of acute care, you may spray them down with Formula 409 before hand washing them. Paint and tape residue can be removed by gently peeling at it with your finger nail, but never scour at these pieces. Be patient and careful with these deep cleaning project, and the pieces will thank you for it with their beauty and unique luster.