Cleaning and waxing acrylic tub shower

So we are enjoying our new 3-piece acrylic tub shower that we installed ourselves. The installation guide says "Keep it bright and smooth with mild iquid household detergent, soap and water, or foaming cleansers. NEVER USE aromatic solvents, abrasive cleaners, scouring compounds or pads, strong liquid cleansers, or other material that could damage or dull the surface of the bath."

We live with well water, and so over time we do get some residue, scaling I suppose you might call it. In our old shower downstairs I have used "Comet Bathroom Clean - dissolves soap scum and hard water film" which seems to work well. Would this be consider a strong liquid cleaner? What do you folks use to clean grim and film of your acrylic tubs and showers? I'd like as mild a cleaner as I can find. I'd use it weekly I expect, or certainly when needed when regular tub cleaning does only so much.

I have also read that I should wax the acrylic from time to time using a good quality automotive carnauba wax. Is that true? How often should I do it? And do you use the spray on stuff, or the old fashion wipe on buff off stuff? I've heard it can make a tub quite slippery; is that true?

 

If you rub the cleaner between your fingers and it feels "gritty" don't use it. It will cause fine scratches that will make your acrylic shower appear hazy. If the cleanser says it is non-abrasive then it should be OK.

Acids work well to remove mineral deposits and luckily don't hurt acrylic. So, cleaners like CLR or old fashioned vinegar work well. You want to avoid solvents. One of the worst that is commonly in a bathroom is nail polish remover (acetone). Also, don't use paint thinners or solvents like MEK and lacquer thinner.

 

Thanks a bunch Pilot Dane. Yes I knew about some cleaners being abrasive, and I should of mentioned that. This Comet stuff is a liquid spray. I was more concerned about some of these cleaners being too corrosive so to say. As for solvents and thinners, nothing like that goes down any of my drains. I'm on a septic system and the only thing that goes in it is black and grey water. We even use strainers so that food bits and hair don't go into it. Plus I have an effluent filter on the discharge side of the tank.

Thanks again.

 

We have an acrylic tub surround and my wife uses 'the works' sold at most dollar stores. Before I met her I never could get it clean no matter how hard I scrubbed. Our surround needs replacing .... just one more thing on my long list of things I need to do

 

Well I have the tub waxed with Mothers carnauba wax and I got to say it looks pretty slick. I bought some cloths, and that was okay I guess. The applicator cloth was these little round things that have a little backing to slide your hand in. Most frustrating thing I have ever used. They keep popping off my hands. I'll buy full hand gloves next time.

So I guess I'll do the tub once or twice a year. I just want to figure out what to do with the bottom of the tub. All the www sites say not to do the bottom because it will be dangerously slippery, but what's the point in doing the whole tub and shower enclosure only to have the floor look faded over years.