Q: How do I clean a fiberglass tub without scratching the surface?
A: The nice thing about fiberglass tubs and showers is that no matter how dirty they become, they are fairly easy to clean. Be careful not to use any abrasives on the fiberglass, such as scouring pads, steel wool or gritty cleaning solutions. Soft Scrub may be used sparingly on soap scum buildup. Lime-Away may be used for hard water mineral deposits. Read the directions and look for the fiberglass warnings or approval statements on any products. If you have very tough stains, moisten a cloth with clean acetone solvent or nail polish remover. Do not let the acetone pool, because it may soften the fiberglass material. Acetone and many other cleaners have very strong vapors, so it is important to ventilate the area properly. After all the cleaning is done, the fiberglass surface may be dull.
Use a fiberglass conditioner and glossing paste to bring the tub or shower back to its original condition. You can use a product called Gel Gloss to restore the shine.
Q: I have an apartment with old laminate counter tops. The counter tops are sound, but their surface appearance is dull and faded. Can the tops be saved? I dont want to replace them at this time.
A: It is impossible to make counter tops look new again; however, with a little bit of elbow grease, we can give them a new lease on life. First, thoroughly clean the counter top with Soft Scrub or similar product and rinse completely. Laminate rehab products are wax-based sealers such as Gel Gloss or Minwax and come in paste, liquid or spray form. Do not use auto wax. You may want to apply these products from time to time as the counter tops lose their luster.
Have a question? Contact Jerry LEcuyer at Buffalo Maintenance at [email protected] or 714-778-0480.