Common questions about acrylic baths

By Benjamin Clarke | Published on 3rd August 2021

Acrylic baths make up a huge proportion of baths sold every year in the UK, so in this article we answer some of the most popular questions people have about them.

1. What is an acrylic bath thickness?

Acrylic baths come in various thicknesses, most commonly 4mm, 5mm, 8mm and 10mm. Double-skinned acrylic baths of at least 8mm thick are very durable and provide you with the most long-lasting option.

2. How to clean acrylic baths

Once per month, spray a bathtub cleaner all over your acrylic bathtub and leave it for a few minutes. You can then wipe the solution into the bath with a sponge, using a circular motion to ensure the whole surface is covered. Then rinse the surface of the bath with the shower head and you should have a lovely, clean finish. You should also give your shower a quick rinse with the shower nozzle after each use to keep things fresh.

3. Does hair dye stain acrylic baths?

Hair dye that is not rinsed away and left to settle in the bath can stain the acrylic surface. It's usually possible to remove stains from hair dye by using a variety of products including, bleach, baking soda, acrylic cleaners and abrasive cleaning pastes.

4. Are acrylic baths good?

Acrylic baths are an excellent choice for your bathtub because acrylic is such a great all-round material. It's very tough, great at keeping the water warm and very economical to purchase. There are a huge variety of acrylic baths available which means you are easily able to find something that suits your bathroom perfectly.

Luxury P shape bath in front of an interior brick wall

5. Do acrylic baths scratch easily?

Acrylic bathtubs are very durable, particularly the double-skinned versions that are 8mm thick. However, due to the lightweight nature of acrylic, they can sometimes get scratched. Often these scratches are 'micro-scratches' rather than anything major and they are pretty easy to fix with a sponge, warm water, a sheet of sandpaper and some acrylic polish. Importantly, these scratches are visual imperfections and won't cause your tub to leak.

6. Do acrylic bathtubs crack?

It is possible for acrylic bathtubs to crack, particularly bathtubs that are made of single skin, 4mm acrylic. Some are small, hairline cracks that can be caused by dropping a bottle on the floor of the bath. Others can be larger and more serious, sometimes caused by children jumping up and down or adults slipping and landing heavily in the bath. Fortunately, most cracks in acrylic baths are not terminal and can be repaired, either by a DIY repair kit or by calling in a professional. A professional repair will be slightly more expensive in the short-term but will provide a more satisfactory results over the long term.

7. Does bleach damage acrylic baths?

If you leave undiluted bleach in your acrylic bath for too long on a regular basis, you might find that it starts to corrode the surface of the acrylic. If using bleach then dilute it with some water and only leave it for a few minutes on your bath. A better solution is a bath-specific cleaner or a vinegar-based solution.

8. Can acrylic baths be repaired?

Yes, acrylic baths can be repaired. Many thin (4mm) acrylic baths are prone to developing cracks and these can be fixed fairly easily by a professional or experienced DIY-er. Of course, if your acrylic bath is in particularly bad shape, it might be more economical to get a new bath rather than go to the expense of trying a bath that is beyond repair. One of the biggest positives of acrylic baths is their affordability.

9. Are acrylic baths strong?

Double skinned acrylic baths of 8mm and thicker are very strong, durable and long-lasting. Acrylic baths are an excellent choice for your bathtub because acrylic is such a great all-round material. It's very tough, great at keeping the water warm and very economical to purchase. There are a huge variety of acrylic baths available which means you are easily able to find something that suits your bathroom perfectly.

10. Do acrylic bathtubs need insulation?

Regarding bath insulation, Acrylic is a great retainer of heat and is one of the main reasons it's such a popular material in bath manufacture. However, if you are looking to be really energy-efficient and want to ensure your bath water stays hot for as long as possible, you could consider adding some fibreglass insulation in the gaps underneath your tub. Bear in mind however that some bathroom designs make it very difficult to access the underneath of your bath once it has been installed, so adding some insulation is often a job that needs to be done as a new bath is being fitted.

See our full range of acrylic whirlpool baths

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