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How to clean a bathtub with an anti-slip bottom

If you have a bathtub with a slip-resistant bottom that still looks dingy, grungy and downright grimy no matter what you use to clean it, I have really good news and at least one surefire solution that will even bring an older tub bottom back to being clean and like new!

Since the Americans with Disabilities Act became law in 1990, all bathroom flooring must be non-slip. Kohler porcelain tubs come with a patented Safeguard slip-resistant surface, which has a very distinctive look and seems to be the most prone to this ugly, dirty problem.

The problem is not only with Kohler tubs but any manufacturer that etches the bottom of the tub to provide the non-slip feature. Oil from your feet starts staining the bottom, and it’s like these stains get embedded and locked in forever.

I’ve heard from many readers who have tried everything they can think of to remove these stains and not had success. In fact, all of those efforts seem to do just the opposite: permanently lock in the stains and make the problem even worse.

Some readers have reported using a Magic Eraser, a Bar Keepers Friend, Zud and Comet with sketchy and somewhat limited success. But Kohler warns against all of them because they can harm the finish, possibly creating an even worse problem over time.

Kohler recommends only three products to clean its Safeguard slip-resistant surface: Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner, Tilex Bathroom Cleaner and Express ROG3 Tub and Tile Cleaner.

ROG3 Tub and Tile Cleaner is the surefire product I mentioned above. I can verify that it is miraculous and will bring your tub and the slip-resistant etching back to being shiny and new without damaging the porcelain or the anti-slip surface. You can get this product from the manufacturer website. Actually, it comes in a kit. In the kit, you will receive two bottles, ROG3 and ROG1, plus a scrubbing pad. It costs about $40 plus shipping, which is quite a bargain compared to having a tub refinished or replaced.

The kit will come with full instructions, which are quite simple. I suggest that you take a few minutes to watch this online video that will show you exactly how to use the product: https://youtu.be/xBogUwxfNTo. Then, read the information on the ROG3 site.

While ROG3 Tub and Tile Cleaner is a Kohler-recommended product to clean the slip-resistant bottom of a bathtub, it is not limited to that. This product will rid all tubs, showers, tile and grout of dirt, grime and buildup that need a miracle.

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I used to think that small amounts of money didn’t matter. What difference could $5 here or $10 there make when we were more than $100,000 in debt (not counting the house and cars)? So what if I increased our debt by such a small amount? It wouldn’t really matter because we already owed so much. I used the same argument for only paying the minimum monthly payment on our credit cards, because that, too, would make no difference.

Boy, did I have a lot to learn. The truth is that we five-and-10-dollared ourselves to death. It was the little things that added up to create a huge monster. Thinking that the little things didn’t matter freed us to believe $2, $5 or $20 didn’t matter. And, eventually, $50 didn’t matter, and on and on it went.

Ironically, it was the little things that turned us around, too. Sending an extra $2, $5 or $20 every month to repay the debt we were targeting helped us find a way to make the standard payment $22, then $35 and soon $100. I’ve had people look at me like I was a little weird when I suggest they should not use a first-class stamp on a postcard. I mean, does 15 cents really matter? I think it does — not so much for the dime and nickel but for the attitude. You see, if you casually throw 15 cents away when it comes to a postage stamp, it’s much easier to begin thinking that slightly larger sums don’t matter either. And soon you’ll be on your way to thinking $20 is not a big deal. Then you’ll be headed for trouble.

Yes, my friends, 15 cents does matter. If you understand that, then you understand that $1.50 matters; $15 will matter even more; and on and on it goes right up to $15,000.

Some wise person once said, “Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.” I have proven that to be true, and I hope you can, too.

Here are three easy ways to stash cash:

COINS. Don’t spend them. Save them. Every evening, empty your pockets, purse and wallet of all coins. Even if the bill comes to $4.05, hand the clerk a $5 bill and stash the difference. When you accumulate $25 or so, roll, wrap and send the coins off to your savings account.

WINDFALLS. No matter how small, make it a habit to bank all coupon savings, rebate checks, refunds and other found money.

SAVE AN EXTRA 10 PERCENT. Stash 10 percent of your pocket money, grocery money and any other walk-around funds you control in your secret savings spot. Chances are you won’t even miss it. And soon you’ll discover that $2 here and $4 there really adds up.

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Dear Mary: The rust in our city water leaves an unsightly brown buildup around the rim of my vitreous china sink. I have tried homemade remedies and store-bought products, and nothing has worked to completely get rid of the unsightly stains. Could you recommend something that will help make my sinks look new again? — Diane

Dear Diane: Bar Keepers Friend, available in the household cleanser aisle of most supermarkets and discount stores, will remove those stains without harming the enamel coating on porcelain, known as vitreous china. The active ingredient in Bar Keepers Friend is oxalic acid, an organic acid that works as a bleach and a rust remover. I think you will be amazed by the ability of BKF to remove these stains! Still, it is vitally important that you test any product in an inconspicuous place first to make sure it will not be damaged before proceeding. — Mary

EDITOR’S NOTE: Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving. com and author of 18 books, including her latest, “Can I Pay My Credit Card Bill With a Credit Card?” You can email her at mary@everydaycheapskate. com.

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