| How do I clean my clawfoot tub? | | | | descended from large pottery bowls. The earliest |
| Never use abrasive cleaners that will scratch the | | | | known bathtub was found in the ruins of a palace |
| tub surface. Never use chlorine bleach, C.L.R., or | | | | on the island of Crete. The tub is almost 4,000 |
| other cleaners containing acid. These chemicals | | | | years old and originally belonged to the queen. |
| can leave a permanent discoloration. Always use | | | | Even after its invention though, bathtubs did not |
| mild detergents (e.g., Soft Scrub, 409, Dow Bath | | | | immediately catch on. In fact some considered |
| & Tile Cleaner) for normal cleaning. For tougher | | | | bathing to be unhealthy and immoral. Fortunately, |
| stains, we recommend Zud or Barkeepers Friend. | | | | sanitary conditions improved and bathing became |
| Both of these products can be found at most | | | | widely accepted. |
| grocery and hardware stores. Do not allow the | | | | Claw foot tubs, as we know them today, came |
| cleaning material to soak on the tub surface. Rinse | | | | about many years after that first tub in Crete. |
| and immediately wipe with a soft damp sponge or | | | | These freestanding leg tubs were made of cast |
| cloth. Always test the cleaning material in an | | | | iron. The cast iron was coated with porcelain |
| inconspicuous area before applying to the entire | | | | enamel to provide a smooth attractive finish. The |
| surface. Most importantly, follow the instructions | | | | J. L. Mott Iron Works company is generally |
| and read the warning label before you begin. | | | | credited with producing the first cast iron tub with |
| Fun Facts | | | | an enamel interior in 1873. Although the design has |
| No one knows for certain when the bathtub was | | | | changed some, cast iron claw foot tubs are still a |
| invented; however, today's tubs probably | | | | popular choice today. |