How to Figure out What Your Bathtub Is Made Of

How you care for a bathtub depends on what type of material it's made of.

Whether you're trying to figure out how to clean your bathtub, or you want to replace it with the same material, you need to know what it's made of. Bathtubs are made in a variety of materials. The three most common are acrylic, porcelain and enameled-steel. Acrylic needs special care. It cannot be cleaned with harsh or abrasive chemicals or scrubbing pads. On the other end of the spectrum, enameled-steel is hard and durable. It's surface is resistant to most cleaning products.

Things You'll Need

• Strong magnet

Instructions

1. Hold a magnet up to the outside wall of the bathtub. If it sticks, it's likely made out of steel and is coated with an enamel.

2. Look for chips in the outer covering. Enameled-steel bathtubs are durable, but they can chip, especially if something hard and heavy like a wrench is dropped on them. The color underneath the chip will be black if the tub is steel. If the chip on a steel tub is old, there may be rust around it. If the chipped area looks fibrous, the material may be acrylic or fiberglass.

3. Look for scratches on the surface of the bathtub, especially on the floor and on the inner sides, the two areas that get the most use. If there are many scratches, the tub may be acrylic. If the finish is faded, that's another indicator that it's probably acrylic. Porcelain bathtubs scratch, too, but those marks are gray.

4. Knock on the side of the bathtub. The feel and sound of the knocking can help you determine what the tub is made of. Fiberglass and acrylic are light and flexible. Tubs made out of these materials make light, hollow noises. A steel tub is hard and makes a dense sound when you knock on it. Porcelain bathtubs make a dull ring.

5. Remove your shoes and stand in the middle of the bathtub. An acrylic or fiberglass bathtub will give easily. They won't feel cold no matter the temperature of the room. An enameled-steel bathtub, as well as a porcelain one, will feel hard and cold under your feet.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have any paperwork such as a purchase receipt or care instructions for your bathtub, they may tell you what it's made of.

References

• Armoured Touch; FAQs; June 2008
• Bathtubs for You; Fiberglass: An Inexpensive Material For Tubs; December 2006
• Bath World: Advantages and Overview