GENERAL CLEANING & MAINTENANCE INFO

Showers, Tub Surrounds, Vanities, & Tubs

We’ve designed these Whitewater products to be easy to clean. The main thing to remember when cleaning the surface is to never use abrasive cleaners or ruff cloths. The surface is very similar to what is on the outside of a boat so you can clean and care for it the same way as you would your boat.

Use soft cloths and cleaners such as Top Job; Lysol; Mr. Clean; Scrubbing Bubbles; Pinesol; Basin, Tub, & Tile cleaner; Clean Shower; Clorox Cleanup; and Soft Scrub’s green gel. (My personal favorite is Scrubbing Bubbles)

There are a lot of other cleaners that can be used. If you’re not sure it’s safe you can rub the cleaner between your fingers; if you feel any grit don’t use it. However, if your product has a matte finish, a mild abrasive cleaner can be used occasionally. Your Whitewater product, regardless of if it is Cultured Marble, Cultured Granite, Tuscany , Solid White, Aggregate, Fossil, or Quartz is still considered cultured or synthetic marble. If you are unsure of a cleaner read the label on the cleaning container.

Avoid using sharp objects or toys on the surface that could scratch it. The gel coat finish is like a boat so it will scratch just like your boat does. One thing you can do to keep the surface easy to clean is use a turtle wax about once a year. Do this just like you would do to a boat. You can wax the surface with an automotive turtle wax or Gel Gloss (Gel Gloss is a wax made especially for gel coated finishes. It comes in a pink can and can be found at most hardware stores). Don’t wax the bottom surface of a tub because it makes it slippery. If you use a regular car wax that is blue, stay away from the caulk lines because they can turn the blue color.

Regular cleaning is recommended to keep your marble looking its best. If you have not cleaned it on a regular basis and soap scum and hard water spots have collected, there are a couple things you can do. You can use an ice scraper made for your car windshield or a Formica sample chip to scrape the walls of your tub surround or shower. You can also mix equal amounts of water and white vinegar, which is a good cleaning solution, to take off water spots.

Tubs

Your jetted tub’s pump and piping should be cleaned out every few months. Fill the tub above the jets with hot water and add several teaspoons low sudsing automatic dishwashing detergent or a few cups bleach. Run the jets for about 15 minutes, drain the tub, fill again and run clean water through for another 15 minutes. If you haven’t used the tub much and it needs a heavy duty cleaning, do this process several days in a row. Jet covers can be removed by turning counter-clockwise. White, bone or gray jet covers can be cleaned using a mild detergent. Chrome, nickel or brass jet covers should be cleaned with water.

Tub Operating Instructions

To use your whirlpool tub, fill the tub with water to at least 1 inch above the highest jet. All nozzels should be completely submerged to keep the water from spraying out of the tub. Turn the pump on by pushing the on/off button. It will turn off by pushing the same button. To increase the whirlpool action of the tub, adjust the air control knob to allow for more air mix.

Use only a small amount of low-sudsing bath soaps or oils. The whirlpool action intesifies sudsing so use small amounts to avoid oversuds and damage to the pump.

The jets should never be run without water to avoid damage to the pump. Do not drain the tub while the pump is on.

Caution: Do not use the tub for prolonged periods at high temperatures; check with your physician if you suffer from heart disease or high blood pressure.

Caution: Keep long hair away from the suction cover. Never allow children to use this product unsupervised or play in a way that would allow the child's hair near the suction cover. Do not use tub if the suction cover is missing or damaged.

Vanities

If you set curling irons on your vanity, it is possible for it to get a burned yellow mark. Prevent this by using a hot pad under the curling iron.

Shower Doors

Regular cleaning can be done with a household glass cleaner, such as Windex. You can use Rain-Ex, which is made for car windshields, on the glass in your shower door to make the water run off it better and spot less. Never used abrasive cleaners or sharp objects on the shower door frame.

Quarvina (solid surface)

Quarvina solid surface countertops can be cleaned with most household cleaners. Feel free to use Ajax or Comet or a Scotch-Brite pad. Avoid strong chemicals like paint removers, paint brush cleaners, cleaners containing methylene chloride, acetone, and acid drain cleaner. If these come in contact quickly flush with plenty of soapy water.

Like other solid surfaces, Quarvina should not have hot dishes set directly on the surface. It is temperature resistant to about 360 degrees so use hot pads under casseroles, electric skillets waffle irons, etc. Extreme cold, such as dry ice, can also damage it. Cutting directly on the countertop should also be avoided, however, scratches can be removed with a Scotch-Brite pad or fine grit sandpaper. Usually 400 grit works great, but you can use as rough as 180 grit followed by 220 grit followed by a Scotch-Brite pad or abrasive cleaners.

Stone (Granite) Countertops

Stone countertops can be routinely cleaned simply by wiping with a damp cloth. Mild household cleaners can also be used. The best way to keep your stone looking its best is to clean it and buff it dry often, especially around faucets (water puddles can dry to leave a white, dull residue of mineral deposits). Splatters and spills should be wiped up right away. Even though sealants fill the pores, the surface isn't protected completely. Oil left on the counter can soak in and leave a darker area. Cut fruits or meats (anything containing bacteria or citric acids) shouldn't be left on the countertop.

Stone is a very hard material so it is nearly impossible to scratch. Stone can only be scratched by harder stones, such as diamonds. However, cutting boards are still a good idea. Don't sit or stand on your countertop since it could possible crack or fissure.

One great quality of stone is that it is heat resistant. It disperses heat--you won't have to worry about setting hot dishes or heat generating appliances on the surface. It can withstand temperatures up to around 1400 degrees. You will need to seal the stone one or two times per year depending on the color. Baltic Brown, Uba Tuba, Tropic Brown, Spring Green, Absolute Black, and Blue Pearl all need to be sealed once a year. Desert Sand, Venetian Gold, and Giallo Veneziano need to be sealed twice per year. If you are unsure you can sprinkle a little water on the counter, if the water absorbs quickly it should be re-sealed. If the water beads, the sealant is okay. Re-seal the countertop by wiping it with a mineral based sealant.

When stone has absorbed a stain, it can be removed by re-absorbing it into a different material. If your stone has been stained, please contact Whitewater for a cleaning brochure describing how to remove the stain. You can also schedule a service call if you would like Whitewater to handle it. This service call would not be covered under warranty.