It’s like a miracle, but it’s embarrassing, too: After many years of housekeeping (ish), I finally learn how to clean the bathtub grungy anti-slip bottom — effectively. I recently completed a series of videos about my beige bathroom renovation, and when I did, I was so embarrassed by the state of the slip resistant bottom of my Kohler Dynametric tub. Yes, I am not the world’s most attentive house cleaner. But I swear, I really did (try to) clean this tub with some regularity. I only take showers, so it didn’t really bother me that it looked grungy. But finally, that icky video image sent me onto the internet to find a solution and to wrestle it to the ground. And by golly, I think I did.
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 Service.
My first logical go-to, since I have a circa-2004 model year Kohler Dynametric cast iron bathtub, was Kohler’s website section, Care and Cleaning for Cast Iron Tubs. Yup, there I found that Kohler recommends three companies with products to clean their SafeGuard Slip Resistant Surface: Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner, Tilex Bathroom Cleaner and the mysterious-sounding “Express R.O.G.3 Tub and Tile Cleaner (Not sold commercially. Call 1-800-585-2325.)” Of course, I headed to ROG first — guessing they must have a specialized product.
Yup, seemingly so. Here is some of the text from the folks at R.O.G. of St. Cloud, Florida and their website:
I invented the type of dry etch slip guard which is used in the manufacturing of Kohler bathtubs today….
Slip resistant surfaces lose their effectiveness as dirt and oils fill the crevices. It is inevitable. The R.O.G. line of products are the only products able to do the job and clean where nothing else can….
The KOHLER company has approved the safeguard cleaner for all Kohler bathtubs, this safe chemical has been tested in great length to prove the safe guard restorer called ROG works without damaging the tubs surface.
Oh my, they say the slip resistant surface loses effectiveness when it gets grungy. So, by getting it clean, it seems like I making it safer too. That’s good to know. {Do your own research.}
Update on the labeling:
Note, that in my subsequent use of ROG1 I saw that the label said it contained “Sulfonic Acid” — even though the owner of these ROG products says on their website, and has said on this blog in comments, that there is no acid in their products. So, I sent an email to ask about this discrepancy. Here is the exchange, and the company’s response:
I wrote to Vince Vallone, owner of the company:
This is Pam from Retro Renovation. I was just using ROG1 and noticed that an ingredient listed on the label is “Sulfonic Acid”. However, I don’t see this listed on the MSDS [link no longer available] <– linked here. And you said this as a comment, “Yes Gina the ROG products are not caustic, no acids, many folks don’t realize the the grocery store and walmart caries many acid contained cleaners and will dull the bathtub over years, magic eraser has acid, 409 scrubbing bubbles and many more.”Can you clarify?Thank you, Pam
Hello PamHope all is well and we appreciate your follow up.The ROG 1 cream contains no acids.After your e-mail….Well we researched this and found the mistake and figured out what went wrong with the labeling.We many years ago manufactured a deck and hull cleaner similar to the ROG 1 but it was called BCD’s deck and hull cleaner product named ROG 9The ROG 9 Deck and Hull cleaner for the yachting, and boating industry this product had the sulfonic acid in the proprietary mixture and our bottle printer who prints the data on the bottle left this acid statement on the ROG 1 label, by mistake we never caught it till you mentioned it. Thank you, your new name should be retro-thour-ough-. LOL.The ROG 9 was an experimental cleaner we tried years ago the formulas was to clean exhaust fumes on the aft side of the boat from inboard engines exhaust marks from the diesel engines and worked great but it never took off as expected so we stopped production on this product. Both were created around the same time, as we also had Glass cleaner and deodorizers, we no longer make.But leave it up to you with your great journalism to find this mistake. Again thank you, we have now taken steps to remove that error from all future ROG1 bottles.Thank you for looking at our mistake and we have now taken steps to remove this on all the ROG 1 bottles
Pricing
This past Saturday afternoon, I began putting the products (again — see Kohler’s recommendations) to the test. And I have to say: I was ecstatic at the results. However, you know I gotta say: Do your own thorough research and make your own decisions… I have not used this product long term — just once, so far.
UPDATE on products NOT to use — as per Kohler:
Update: I did a follow up story asking Kohler about various other products readers were saying they used — and how they do not specifically recommend ROG1 to clean the slip guard surface; they recommend the ROG3 — read this complete story here.s
To clarify, I received no payment or anything to write this review; I discovered and paid for the product I tested myself.
Feb. 2015 update:
I am closing comments on this story because they are getting very repetitive.
Readers, do your own research and to cross-reference Kohler recommendations, which we profile here — https://retrorenovation.com/2012/11/19/kohler-says-no-to-magic-eraser-comet-bar-keepers-friend-zud-vinegar-for-cleaning-its-porcelain-enamel-cast-iron/
Annie says
I tried everything, and the only thing that worked was the Magic Eraser.
Magic eraser it is, then! I’m very chemically sensitive.
pam kueber says
Note, Annie, that Kohler says no to Magic Eraser: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/11/19/kohler-says-no-to-magic-eraser-comet-bar-keepers-friend-zud-vinegar-for-cleaning-its-porcelain-enamel-cast-iron/
Joy says
Is this product available in Australia? love to try it
vince says
I will check into this Monday. We sell to Hawaii Canada and south America so I don’t see why not. Will find out send answer inquire back to this site
Kati says
I cannot WAIT to try this – three month old SAME tub.. slippery and gray non skid bottom is embarrassing and dangerous!
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vince says
After many requests that are shipping for the ROG product was too expensive Amazon.com now has free shipping for the ROG K-1 kit thank you for all your recommendations
Beverly says
Pam,
I had to write to say Thank-you for posting the information about ROG. After reading the information on this site, I decided to buy ROG. I was amazed at the before and after pictures you provided. We’re remodeling our bath and was considering refinishing the tub & surround or replacing it. I have lived in this house for 3 years and tried numerous products and NOTHING worked, no matter how much I scrubbed. It never looked clean. I purchased the ROG starter kit through Amazon and received it within a few days. I just spent 6 hours using the products and after a lot of scrubbing the 25 year old tub and surround look BRAND NEW! It’s an almond color so it will go with my new decor perfectly. I’m going to ROG’s site to post a comment there as well. I will also tell all my friends and neighbors about this fantastic product. I noticed that some people on your site hesitated to try this product due to the price, but I think it is worth every penny. It works.
Thank-you again for sharing information about this product.
Jane says
I have a kohler bathtub that has turned blue where the non skid surface is. Wondering if anyone has had that experience and are there any recommendations regarding a remedy.
pam kueber says
I would try the product recommended in this story…
Vincent says
The turning blue of the bathtub for the shower floor could be some residue of a pre-existing cleaner. But the ROG 1 cream cleaner will get rid of any stains from any other chemicals and get it back to new.
Products can now be purchased on Amazon.com.
Also we’ve had so many request for the ROG scrubby pad that are now available also on Amazon.com
Tricia McKusick of Beachside Home Services says
I clean a lot of bathrooms and ROG 1 and 3 cleaners are the only ones I would use. Safe and quick. Saves me a lot of time and ENERGY!
judith hall says
Ts this rog cleaner you are speaking of, is it for porcelain tubs without the skid resistant bottom? I have yellow stains at the front end and on the sides of me tub. The side stains go about 1/3 down each side. I presume it is from hard water.
Sessa Feldman says
I dont have a web site as it was asking for one. but wanted to thank you for your reasearch in cleaning my village Kohler bathtub.
I have been on many web sites where they say to use, vinager, magic eraser, household cleaners and other chemicales. nothing worked.
well thanks to you I finally got thr rog cleaner last week and the bottom looks brand new and so do the sides they now shine again.
I only wish I got it sooner when the inlaws were here for the holidays.
Whooo. the rog1 and the rog3 worked fast its great stuff. I wonder why this cleaner works and nothing else did ?
thank you again your site is great, Love all the neat things you come up with your so creative
Vince says
The ROG kit will bring your tub factory new
pam kueber says
Note: Vince is the owner of ROG…