“Before”. See? OMG embarrassing.
This is the shower that my husband uses. I am — voluntarily — in charge of cleaning the fiberglass shower base (Swanstone). I am not very diligent about it. Obviously. Historically, I have used Lysol Basin Tub & Tile cleaner liquid in the spray bottle. It has “worked”, but it always took me like three applications, lots of letting it sit and soak, then wiping up over and over with a rag. It took forever and still there were always bits of scum left in the anti skid pattern of the fiberglass shower pan. Then the darn dirt would start building up again, fast and furious. So, you can see why I avoided the task: It was sisyphean.
“After.” All it took for me to become The Queen of Clean was The Right Tools.
But ha!, disgusting fiberglass days are over!
When I bought a special cream cleanser — ROG1 — to clean the bathtub’s slip resistant bottom — which worked like a dream — see the photo ABOVE — I also received a second, general purpose solution — ROG3 — that said it would clean fiberglass. So I gave it a try and Yowza: This fiberglass shower pan also cleaned up like a dream — faster and better than anything I have ever tried before.
But, please note:
| Disclaimer: Here on the blog, as homeowners ourselves, we may try new cleaning products aimed at solving our own cleaning problems; if we think we’ve found something promising to consider, we may write about it. But, we are not professional chemists or engineers or home economists. So, please: Do your own research into these products and their suitability for your projects before trying them. More info in Terms of Use. |
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What did I use to clean the fiberglass? The ROG3 — the bottle of blue solution on the right. It said on the instructions that it could be used for fiberglass. So I tried it. My process:
I wet down the shower base. I sprayed on the ROG3 pretty liberally, full strength. I let it sit for… like 5 minutes, probably more. I scrubbed with my Dobie. I rinsed. No photo, but watch the video: There was still a little bit of dirt around the drain — the area that always gets the dirtiest. For step two, I reapplied, focusing on this area. Waited. Scrubbed with the Dobie. Rinsed, and….
… I am telling you, this shower pan has not looked this clean since the day it was installed. Even when it was installed, my contractor commented how difficult it was to keep these things clean. Well. Those days are OVER.
Link: It’s expensive, but I think I will buy a lifetime supply this week, just in case — Where to buy your own stash of ROG3.… or, you can buy it from Amazon.
And note: I received no payment or anything to write this review; I discovered and paid for the product I tested myself.
Not a fan of the OMGs…but wanted to ask what kind of odor this product has. Thanks.
You are right, Kim — I usually try to say oh my goodness or oh my word — those are much more appropriate. I got really excited, as you can tell. The question of fumes came up yesterday. I don’t remember any strong fumes — but really, I forget to pay attention. If this is an issue for you, I recommend asking the retailer of this product for information about this topic.
Hey, don’t worry about the OMG’s; I’ve been guilty of saying them also when I’ve been astonished about something. In fact, I hope I say them in a few days because I just ordered some and paid with PayPal. Our shower looks just like yours did. I too tried everything.
Let me know how it turns out!!!!
I’d be curious as to the chemical make up? I have found that even the cheap imitations of Mr Clean white wipe clean sponges work great on fiber glass and almost anything. They do fall apart quickly, but work so well, even on hard water buildup stains.
I recently purchased this cleaner and used it yesterday. The odor reminds me of Windex.
I think in order to prove your hypothesis you’ll need to repeat your experiment a few times. You can come do my tub next!
Pam
All I can say is WOW, I have a fiberglass shower, and bathtub—boy this will come in handy. I made a mistake 20 years ago and took out my pink bathroom—yes I do regret it now, and had them put in a fiberglass tub. This thing has been a pain ever since. Can’t wait to try this stuff. Need something to get it clean. Thanks for telling us about it.
Sibyl and Pam: if you had to do it over again, would you get fiberglass or would you do tile? Or is there something else you would get?
If I had it to do over again, I would get Kohler cast iron porcelain ceramic shower base, or terrazzo, if I could get a preformed pan that would fit, and that would be a big “if” in the case of my bathroom, where width is very tight: http://retrorenovation.com/category/bathroom-categories/showers-base/
That said, now that I know how to clean the sucker, I like it much better. I like the simplicity of white.
Hi Pam – timely post as I’m going to visit my mother soon and she has this very problem, so I think I’ll order some to her house and see how it works.
More importantly, I should know momentarily if I get the house with the pink and yellow bathrooms with massive rot underneath. I know the entire floors will come out of both, and while I’ll reuse the yellow tub, I will be replacing all the tile in the pink shower as well as all the floor tile. I was planning to use the same small white hex with black dots that you used, I believe in your mother’s bathroom, on the floor and on into the shower floor. I see your bathroom floor here is one of the similar mosaic tiles, but you don’t mention that as one of your “wouldas.”
Do you think that’s a bad choice for the shower pan? The contractor didn’t resist the idea, but I haven’t talked to the tile sub yet. If it’s a bad idea, then I will certainly save my energy and not argue with them!
Good luck, Susan. Check the tile manufacturer’s specs to ensure any tile you look for is specified for shower bases. You want “not slippery”.
Oooh, I remember an old apartment had a fiberglass shower base. I had no experience with them and could not understand why it wouldn’t come clean. I still remember the stiff wrists I had after an afternoon with a scrub brush and some Soft Scrub (not to mention the fume headache)!
the best part of the ROG cleaners is that they dont leave residues, fumes, or a head ache, the other is that they work on thier own with very little effort from you. no stiff elbows…
I guess I am a little confused. Is the ROG1 just for initial deep cleaning and then you maintain with the ROG3? Some testimonials on the ROG site mentioned only using the ROG3 (blue) for cleaning the non slip tub bottom. Since the company has an option for a 3 pack of the blue cleaner and still only includes 1 of the cream, I would guess they think you will deep clean with the cream and then clean with the blue on a regular basis. I think the ROG website needs a little update.
yes, i *think* that’s the idea: Deep clean with ROG1, maintain with ROG3.
Pam, great recommendations! If it is as hot and humid and miserable up in Massachusetts as it is here in Connecticut, you are a real trooper to be scrubbing bathrooms in this miserable weather! And what a kick I got out of you in an APRON! True to theme for sure!
Interesting! I may write to the company to ask about buying the blue separately — it sounds like if all you have is fiberglass then ROG 3 (blue) is all you need. But all their kits contain both products.
We have the fiberglass shower and an old cast-iron clawfoot tub. I don’t have any problems keeping the tub clean as it is smooth (and we use the shower way more than the tub anyhow).
Hate to throw down the dough for more cleaning products, but if this is the stuff of cleaning dreams (yours AND mine) then I guess I’ll do it!
And you should get a teensy commission on the sales, Pam…
I just order kit 1! I’m so excited. The non-slip on the Kohler cast iron tub has been great for safety but a pain to get clean! I’ve been using all sorts of cleaners to keep it white but it’s great to know I won’t be doing any damage with ROG. I live for retro renovation daily blog posts!!!
Wow what an amazing product and seems to work like magic! Pam…I am a nut for your videos…I always enjoy them because they are so informative and entertaining at the same time. Love it! lol
Pam, I wear a vintage full apron when I clean and cook too! I love them. Those aprons have saved many an outfit. Wonder why they went by the way side?
With that much cleaning power I’d want to know what’s in it. I’ll have to look at the website and see if they list ingredients.
Aprons are big here in the Portland (OR) area. The younger generations wear them out and about over jeans, skirts, whatever.
Yes, all the ingredients are listed on the Material Data Sheets, which are on the website.
Hmmm, will this do the trick on terrazzo? My shower base is a white terrazzo and I try and try to scrub with various things but other than building up my biceps there isn’t much improvement. Pam, I’m sure you’ve got some ideas for terrazzo too…..?
Hi Cindy, Remember this story, but alas it is not really helpful: http://retrorenovation.com/2008/10/13/how-to-clean-terrazzo-floors/
Suggestion: Fiat still makes terrazzo bases. Ask them?????
You have just made me so very, very happy. The stupid fiberglass base in our master bath has been the bane of my existence since we moved into our new house. That, and the soap scum on the glass shower doors…I’m getting angry just thinking about them… Back to my happy place. There is an end in sight to my misery. Thanks!!
Yes, that is just the way that I felt. I haven’t really tried tackling the shower doors yet. Those are among the many things on the “next list”.
Pam,
I had the same problem with the slip resistant tub in our previous house. A ffriend told me to make a baking soda and water paste, let it set a few minutes, then scrub and rinse. It worked like a dream! No fumes, just clean. I did this often and never noticed any kind of problem from scrubbing. Thanks for the fab website! It is my absolute favorite!!
Mary
Thanks, Mary!!
I’m a big fan of ‘commercial’ Scrubbing Bubbles and the magic eraser. I have only been able to find the commercial line at Home Depot. But the product is out there.
I am sometimes blessed with cleaning the nastiest of tubs in foreclosed homes where the grime has sat for over a year or longer. Yuck.
Spray it on and let it sit awhile. Respray and wipe down with the magic eraser. Non-slip bottoms can present a problem because of all the grooves, so keep the scrub brush close at hand.
You know, the vintage cast iron tubs with the polk-a-dot bottoms? This is the only product that I have found that will get those bottoms white again.
the ROG lable says it is made for slip guards on all shower and bathtub bottoms, aslo great for glass doors with soap scum build up.
I have always loved your descriptions, but an extra huge thumbs up for: sisyphean!!
I learned it from one of my life’s mentors.
I love you for posting that video.
Hi Pam ~
Love that you included a shout out to your Dobie pad in the tub. I use one for scrubbing out my 1930s tubs without scratching. I’ve squirreled away a dozen of them on the bet they’ll eventually stop making them.
Also, I’ve had great luck with Zud cleansers ~ both the powder and cream ~ for stubborn gunk, as well as Scrubbing Bubbles as a previous poster mentioned.
Love your blog!
I love my Dobies! LOVE LOVE LOVE.
Growing up my family has used Soft Scrub to clean all of our sinks and tubs. When I bought my first home a couple of years ago I went “green” but kept a bottle of Soft Scrub in the mix just in case my natural cleaners couldn’t do the trick. I have a one bathroom house so my shower gets used everyday and I had never been able to get the fiberglass base to sparkle. So disappointing. Last week I found a brush I had used on another project and decided to give it a whirl on the base. I sprayed my Soft Scrub generously then scrubbed with the brush like I was possessed and let it sit for about 10 minutes…. HAllelulah!! HAAALlelulah!! It was a miracle!! Its all about having the right tools and products! I had “cleaned” that base for over 2 years before it was ever really clean. I feel your excitement!
Joy-once your fiberglass is clean, try a little baby oil on the walls (not the base because you’ll slip and fall). I used it regularly in my other home. Use a soft rag like a microfiber cloth, rub in and gently wipe off. It leaves a wonderful scent (I like the lavender because it’s soothing) and the fiberglass sparkles like new, while fighting hard water stains. We also use the baby oil to put a high shine on our boat after polishing and waxing-nothing commercially even comes close to the sheen baby oil gives to the boat, and the baby oil is far less expensive.
the safest cleaning pad to use on fiberglass and cast iron bathtubs is a fiber hair hogs hair pad they are tough last long and will not scratch the surface, just clean it, another product KOHLER recommends as well as me.
Vince Vallone.
With the ROG company after working in the hotel industry for 37 years experience in all types of shower pans and older bathtubs
Hey, I’m cleaning my bathroom right now, Vince, how did you know! Is the hair hog what you include with your kit? Another question: Can I use ROG1 and/or ROG3 on a Swanstone solid surface shower base? It’s not fiberglass, it’s something else, I’m not sure what plastic or whatever… Help!
ive been trying to get my grungy drity shower pan and wall clean forever 2 years Ive tried everything I mean everything dow, harsh chemicals, magic eraser everything. Now with the holidays coming up i just cannt have my inlaws and family seeing my shower or grout lines and I dont have enough money to renovate. then a friend told me about your site and bam in the bathroom section i saw your before and after pic using ROG i was still skeptical , but gave it a shot I went to the ROG Website and ordered.. I figured Id have to scrub forever and probably do it a few time before it made a difference. Boy was I wrong this stuff is amazing not only did it make my entire shower look like new. it also cleaned my bathroom tiles and kitchen backsplash amazing… why isnt this ROG at walmart i know soo many girlfriends with the same problem and im turning them on to your site and ROG .
thanks for the truthful review and real before and after pics
and thanks ROG for making my grundgy shower look like brand new!!!!!!! amazing
thanks pam
Based on your testimonial, I just ordered a set of ROG cleaners. My shower pan is every bit as ugly as your “before” pictures and I’ve tried everything short of TNT to get it clean. If this works, it will be a miracle.
Let me know how it works!!!
wow i saw all the comments about this cleaner and orderd some, u r right its totally awesome.i own my own tile company and will b telling all my customersa too./ i actually had some real problems with cleaning and this product solved them all.andeven got apoxy grout of any surface after drying.never saw anything do this before.Sothanks for your thorough research and everyone readingthis,,,,,,try it,u wont beleiv e your eyes….
My installer told me to clean my fiberglass shower floor with Cascade dish powder. It has always worked will for upkeep, not sure how it would do for deep cleaning. Just sprinkle some in and scrub with a toilet style cleaning brush so no hand and knees scrubbing. I let it set and just rinse next time someone takes a shower.
Rog 3 is Sodium Hydroxide is lye and very caustic.
I am not a chemist… Kohler has approved ROG3, that’s all I know… I certainly encourage everyone to do their own research, consult with their own experts, make their own decisions…
Mr Clean Bathroom Erasers work…
is this stuff sold at home depot or lowes?
nope, you must order from ROG folks
Just an FYI… A friend turned me on to this and it works awesomely! Use pledge furniture spray with lemon on your dry glass shower doors to get off the soap scum. Spray a thin layer all over and then use a clean DRY towel to buff off. I usually let it set a minute then use paper towels to wipe off excess then a dry cotton towel to buff. It is seriously amazing! And I’m going to try the rg3 stuff since kaboom with bleach is non existent anymore!
I am NOT an expert. One thing I “think” I have learned through all this, is that citrus oils are acidic. Which may or may not be a concern…
Dawn Dishsoap and Vinegar work just as well and don’t have any of the chemicals in them… I did it with Dawn and vinegar and a little elbow grease and my shower bottom came out looking like new…
Just wondering if any of the previous commenters have had the same great experience as the first. My husbands shower basin turns black. Its a real pain in the tush to clean. Ive been using professional cleaner the kind they use to remove graffiti. I wouldn’t want to spend $65 on cleaner unless it really kicks butt.
I have found that the Magic Erasers work wonderfully without any chemicals or smell. Super cheap, super easy!
hmmm…. I’m not sure about Magic Erasers on fiberglass, but Kohler advises “no” on porcelain enamel — http://retrorenovation.com/2012/11/19/kohler-says-no-to-magic-eraser-comet-bar-keepers-friend-zud-vinegar-for-cleaning-its-porcelain-enamel-cast-iron/
I know it has a bit of an odor, but I have found the best, cheapest product to clean my fiberglass tub/shower unit is Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner. Just spread it on the tub or shower bottom with a scrubby pad (no scrubbing needed). After about 10 minutes smear product around with the scrubby and then rinse with water. Not only does it remove soil, but also rust and hard water stains. I use a scrubby that is shaped like an triangle with a handle. (Note: Clorox TBC does not work, only Lysol)
That bowl cleaner is …. [edited]
Vince (owner of ROG products) I have edited your comment. READERS: Do your own research to determine the risks/benefits of these cleaners and their various applicaations. ANA: Please contact Lysol to make sure you are not doing something risky.
I have found that laying a layer of paper towels in the bottomof the tub helps hold the cleaner in place while soaking
I use a rubbermaid-ish cover to cover the drain, quite often….
I agree with the commenter who uses baking soda. Save your money. “Wet” the bottom of my shower and tub with white vinegar and water, sprinkle baking soda liberally and let it sit for about 10 minutes while I clean the rest of the bathroom. Wipe them down and rinse. As clean as your after shots.
I have also found that hair conditioner wiped on dry shower doors allowed to sit for 15-20 minutes works wonders on soap scum.
Thank you! The baking soda/vinegar worked with NO fumes!
Will be trying the greener cleaner solutions first – on septic not municipal sewer and have to think about the balance in that system introducing too many chemicals. I use turtlewax or any car wax on shower doors. Water beads right off…no worries. I do it on car windshields too.
Was wondering if anyone has tried on a fiber glass boat?
Hi this is Vince Vallone the owner of the ROG company and absolutely I sell the more boat manufacturers and people that own fiberglass tubs for boats it’s unbelievable.
However when you clean the boat with the ROG chemicals it’s always good to wax the boat again, I say always do a test spot.
Good day