You’d be surprised how many items you have in your home that are made of fiberglass. These can include the bathtub, sinks, lighting fixtures, and even a boat. Now you may be wondering how to clean fiberglass. Well, not a problem.
Once again, we have compiled a list of cleaning tips and recipes to do just that. Fiberglass is a synthetic material that is created using glass fibers that are formed together into plastic resin. This material is molded into a variety of household items such as a fiberglass shower or fiberglass tub.
Fiberglass surfaces need to be cared for properly when cleaning and removing stains. Using cleaning products that contain harsh chemicals may damage certain surfaces and is also harmful to the environment. In our search for the perfect cleaning solutions, we came across quite a few useful tricks for cleaning fiberglass.
Cleaning Fiberglass Surfaces
Sometimes you may experience staining on your fiberglass that is hard to remove. Get rid of tough stains from a fiberglass bathtub and clean grime, mildew, and soap scum from fiberglass materials with ease by using the right materials.
Cleaning fiberglass is easy using warm water, white vinegar, and other household cleaning products. You can even use these cleaning solutions to clean a boat.
Homemade Fiberglass Cleaner
Here is a homemade fiberglass cleaner that will clean fiberglass using a simple ingredient found in your home – baking soda. Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that gets the surface of the fiberglass clean without the use of scouring pads. This mixture also acts as a polishing compound as it cleans away grime and works well for small areas with built-up dirt.
Mix just enough baking soda and water in the bowl so that it forms a pasty mixture. Apply the mixture to the soiled areas of the fiberglass. Allow it to sit for about 12 hours. You will notice the mixture turn color as it begins to absorb the stains.
Make a solution using warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Use a soft cloth and the soapy solution to clean the stained baking soda from the surface. Give the area a good rinsing using warm water to clean away leftover baking soda and dirt residue.
Restore Shine to Fiberglass
Quickly restore shine to fiberglass while cleaning away mildew and grime using vinegar. Vinegar is a slightly acidic solution that breaks down crud and dirt while leaving a streak-free shine.
In this case, the recipe calls for vinegar and baking soda. The combination makes for an excellent fiberglass cleaner.
Fill the spray bottle with the vinegar. Spray the entire surface of the fiberglass and allow it to sit for about half an hour. Make sure that you get the spray into any cracks or crevices while spraying.
Sprinkle baking soda onto the sprayed surface of the fiberglass. Pour some of the vinegar onto the sponge and gently wipe down the area using a circular motion.
You will notice a slight bubbling as the baking soda and vinegar mix. This process helps to break down more dirt and grime. Rinse the area well with hot water and allow it to air dry.
Cleaning Fiberglass Quickly and Efficiently
For quick and easy cleaning of those sinks, tubs, and other fiberglass surfaces, try this method as an all purpose cleaner. While it may not work on tough stains or grime that has built up, it is a handy DIY method for light-duty cleaning.
Dampen the sponge with warm water and sprinkle some baking soda onto it. Wipe down the surface area of the fiberglass with the sponge, making sure to get in the crevices. Use a wet cloth to clean off the baking soda and dirt residue.
When wiping down the area, make sure to use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth. Avoid using any abrasive material such as steel wool or a wire brush to clean fiberglass.
Preventing Gelcoat Stains on Fiberglass Boats
Unfortunately, there may be times when you’ll get a Gelcoat stain on your fiberglass boat. There are two types of Gelcoat staining. Mineral stains are the result of rust, while organic staining is the result of bird droppings, plant matter, and other natural materials. To get rid of these nasty stains, you need an effective fiberglass boat cleaner that will restore your boat to like-new condition.
Preventing Gelcoat Stains
After boating, whether in fresh or saltwater, rinsing the boat after each use is essential to ensure that it doesn’t become stained. This will save you a lot of cleaning time in the future and is better for the environment, too. Put a coat of wax over your boat before putting it in the water for the boating season.
Using a protective wax coating over the Gelcoat will create a barrier between the pores in the Gelcoat and eliminate the possibility of those future inevitable stains. It will also make stain removal easier. Using baking soda and vinegar to wipe over the entire surface will also prolong the life of the wax coating.
If the inevitable has already happened and your boat is heavily stained, then you may need to get out an organic and mineral stain remover. Make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use rubber gloves and cleaning protective gear during the application process.
Routine Cleaning of a Fiberglass Bathtub and Shower
Here is an easy cleaning technique that works wonders for that regular cleaning routine. This technique also works well as a DIY RV cleaner. While it may not be ideal for removing tough stains and overly dirty tubs, it is perfect for adding to the weekly checklist of household chores.
Fill the bucket with the hot water and dishwashing liquid. Soak the sponge with the soapy water and scrub all areas of the shower and bathtub. Make sure to get into all of the corners and crevices to remove gunk build up.
You’ll probably have to apply a little elbow grease for those extra dirty areas. Rinse the bathtub and shower with clean water. For shower cleaning, you can turn on the showerhead to rinse away leftover messy residue.
Removing Hard Water Stains from Fiberglass
Mineral stains cause an unsightly yellowing in fiberglass and other materials. Vinegar is an acidic solution that helps to break down the build-up of hard water stains that result from mineral deposits.
Vinegar is such a versatile liquid that is used not only for cooking and preserving but for cleaning. You can also make a homemade glass cleaner with Dawn and vinegar.
Fill the spray bottle with vinegar and then spray the surface area affected by mineral stains. If the area is vertical, you may need to make a paste by adding a little baking soda to prevent it from running off and evaporating. Allow the vinegar to sit for about an hour.
If the area begins to dry, spray more vinegar onto the surface to keep it wet. Rinse all of the vinegar residues away. Complete this process regularly to prevent further hard water build-up.
Removing Dark Stains from Fiberglass Surfaces
When it comes to those dark stains left behind on fiberglass, it may be time to try something new. This cleaning method is designed for specific areas of interest rather than extensive area cleaning. The area will also have to sit overnight, so you’ll want to make sure you have set the necessary time aside for this process.
Follow these steps after the fiberglass area has had regular cleaning. Lay several white cloths over the top of the dark stained area. Pour enough hydrogen peroxide over the towels until they are saturated but not dripping.
Allow the wet towels to sit overnight while the peroxide does its work. In the morning, remove the cloths and rinse away all of the residue.
Fiberglass is a light-weight and economical material that works great for bathtubs, showers, boats, and other household items. Using the wrong cleaning products or harsh chemicals can scratch or damage the surface.
Therefore, using a homemade cleaning recipe with natural ingredients is recommended. It will save you money while being better for your home and environment.
Now that we’ve shown you how to clean fiberglass easily and efficiently using everyday household items, how about sharing our tips for fiberglass cleaning with your friends and family on Facebook.