Features and Benefits

Checklist: What to look out for/ things to ask about

General Questions to Ask
• Cleaning – how easy is the product to clean?
• Company pedigree – for how long has the manufacturer and retailer been trading. Is the manufacturer a member of any trade organisation such as the BMA?
• Customer service – what does the manufacturer and retailer offer?
• Guarantee – what length of warranty and what conditions does the manufacturers give?
• Spare parts – what is available and for how long in the life of the product?

Acrylic Baths
• Features- what extra features are provided with the bath eg: soap recesses, head rest, arm rests, slip resist floor.
• Features – are hand grips provided with the bath; included in the price?
• Safety – does the base of the bath have a “slip resistant” surface and what are the manufacturer’s claims for it?
• Thickness: what thickness of acrylic sheet has been used during the manufacture of the bath? Between 3.2 and 8mm is usual. The most common is 5mm thick acrylic. 


Frequently asked questions

Q What do you recommend for cleaning an acrylic bath?
A An acrylic surface is softer than porcelain enamel. Abrasive cleaners will scratch or scuff the surface of the acrylic. Do not use scouring powders or abrasive cleaners. Ideally the surface should be cleaned regularly with warm soapy water. Preferably, the product should be cleaned immediately after use, rinsed with cold water and dried with a soft cloth. If preferred, proprietary bathroom cleaners are available but always follow the instructions on the bottle of your chosen cleaner. 

Q A friend has told me that aromatherapy oils may affect an acrylic bath. Is it true? 
A Yes and no. Some undiluted and neat aromatherapy oils left on the acrylic can stain and damage the surface - irreversibly. Oils used in the water should give no problem since they become highly diluted. Bear in mind that other household chemicals such as hair dyes, carpet dyes, paint strippers, strong disinfectants, alcohol, after shave, perfumes and nail varnishes and their removers or bleaches may spoil the acrylic surface of left in contact for some time.

Q How do I get a scuff mark out of the bottom of my acrylic bath?
A Light scuffing can be removed by careful cleaning with a non abrasive cleaning agent. Light scratches in an acrylic surface may be removed by gently polishing with ‘Brasso’ or ‘T-cut’. Deeper scratches are more difficult to remove and may require a specialist firm with the correct tools and materials. In all circumstances a call to the manufacturer should help resolve your problem. 

Q I am refurbishing my bathroom in a very old house. The floor is very uneven and I am worried about installing a bath.
A Don’t worry. All baths have adjustable legs and feet which should take up the unevenness of your bathroom floor. The bath should then be installed perfectly level.

Q My bathroom is really small and has never had a bath in it. What can I do? 
A Don’t worry. Recent and developments in bath design mean that many manufacturers now produce baths of compact dimensions and shape to suit your requirements.

Q Why do acrylic baths have a reputation for being wobbly?
A An acrylic bath from a reputable manufacturer when installed according to its instructions will be rigid, will not move in use, will not creak and will give a trouble free life. If, however, the bath is installed incorrectly then anything can happen.