How Do You Keep a Copper Bath Clean?
There’s no doubt that a copper bath is a fantastic focal point in any bathroom but knowing how to keep your tub well-maintained is essential. By using the right products and techniques to clean a copper bath, for example, you can enhance its appearance and protect its natural hue.
Does Copper Change Over Time?
In its natural state, copper does age over time, and it can develop a patina. This generally appears as a green ‘film’ on the copper and occurs in response to oxidisation but exposing your copper bath to acids can accelerate the process.
While many people love the ‘living finish’ that natural copper offers, using the right cleaning and maintenance products can slow the ageing process and ensure that your copper tub remains in outstanding condition.
Even some bath products, like bath bombs and bubble bath, can damage copper baths if they do not have a protective coating.
At the Copper Bath Company, all of our carefully crafted copper baths are treated with a protective coating that helps to keep the copper in optimal condition. Routine maintenance, such as reapplying a wax seal at regular intervals, will also help to maintain the finish of your copper bath tub.
What to Use to Clean Copper Baths
Before you get started, make sure you’ve got all of the cleaning products and materials you’ll need to hand. Fortunately, you don’t need much to keep your copper bathtub clean. In fact, you can clean copper baths with only:
- A soft cloth x 2
- Mild soap
Cleaning Products to Avoid
If you want to keep your copper tub in great condition, it’s important to avoid using anything harsh that could damage the natural material or its protective coating. For example, the following equipment should not be used to clean copper baths:
- Harsh chemicals
- Strong detergents
- Steel wool
- Wire brushes
How to Keep a Copper Bath Clean
Cleaning a copper bath or copper sink is easier than you might think, providing you steer clear of strong chemical products. Instead, simply take mild soap and a soft cloth and gently wipe around the bath before rinsing away any soap residue.
Following this, it’s important to remove any water from the surface of copper baths. Take a soft, dry cloth and gently wipe away any remaining water until the surface of your tub is dry. When water is left on copper tubs, mineral deposits can damage the natural material, which is why it’s advisable to dry the bathtub after cleaning.
While mild soap and a soft cloth are sufficient for everyday cleaning, you may wish to use a gentle metal cleaner for a deeper clean from time to time. If so, be sure to use a metal cleaner that’s approved for copper.
Reapplying Wax to Copper Baths
If you want to keep a copper tub in outstanding condition, we recommend reapplying it with a wax seal every 4-6 weeks, depending on usage. This helps to limit the impact that any residues could have on the natural material and protects against unnecessary ageing or damage.
The wax can typically be applied simply with a soft cloth. Once you’ve applied a small amount of the wax into the copper tub, buff lightly and allow it to dry.
Maintaining Your Copper Bathtub
At first glance, cleaning and maintaining a copper tub can seem complicated but, in actual fact, it’s much easier than you think. While it’s important to avoid using harsh chemicals or acid-based cleaning products on copper tubs, you can keep your statement copper bathtub in great condition simply by cleaning it with a soft cloth and mild soap and reapplying the wax seal every few weeks.
