Question from Mary
I have been reading you for years (bought your book, and read Natural Home mag). I stumbled on your web site today while searching unsuccessfully for info on these questions. Perhaps you would find them interesting enough to answer?
I have a wonderful old cast iron clawfoot tub bought from a salvage yard. Much of the original smooth porcelain finish is worn away, and it’s become quite stained. I can’t afford the commercial refinisher (besides, how “green” is that process?). There is a “porcelain restoration kit” I’ve seen at a hardware store and on web, but it looks really toxic, and the rebonding agent doesn’t look all that durable. Since I have a graywater system that recycles used water to my garden, I’m very picky about what goes down the drain. I’ve tried hydrogen peroxide to no avail. Any suggestions to nontoxically clean and/or refinish the surface?
Similarly, I rescued from a house remodel an old kitchen stove from the 40s, very cute. The top porcelain is quite stained from 60 years of cooking. Basic baking soda hasn’t touched the deep stains. Any nontoxic way to clean this, and keep it from re-staining?
Debra’s Answer
Good questions! Readers?
