How do I clean my clawfoot tub? Never use abrasive cleaners that will scratch the tub surface.
Never use chlorine bleach, C.
L.
R.
, or other cleaners containing acid.
These chemicals can leave a permanent discoloration.
Always use mild detergents (e.
g.
, Soft Scrub, 409, Dow Bath & Tile Cleaner) for normal cleaning.
For tougher stains, we recommend Zud or Barkeepers Friend.
Both of these products can be found at most grocery and hardware stores.
Do not allow the cleaning material to soak on the tub surface.
Rinse and immediately wipe with a soft damp sponge or cloth.
Always test the cleaning material in an inconspicuous area before applying to the entire surface.
Most importantly, follow the instructions and read the warning label before you begin.
Fun Facts No one knows for certain when the bathtub was invented; however, today's tubs probably descended from large pottery bowls.
The earliest known bathtub was found in the ruins of a palace on the island of Crete.
The tub is almost 4,000 years old and originally belonged to the queen.
Even after its invention though, bathtubs did not immediately catch on.
In fact some considered bathing to be unhealthy and immoral.
Fortunately, sanitary conditions improved and bathing became widely accepted.
Claw foot tubs, as we know them today, came about many years after that first tub in Crete.
These freestanding leg tubs were made of cast iron.
The cast iron was coated with porcelain enamel to provide a smooth attractive finish.
The J.
L.
Mott Iron Works company is generally credited with producing the first cast iron tub with an enamel interior in 1873.
Although the design has changed some, cast iron claw foot tubs are still a popular choice today.