The Cleaner Studies

     Beginning in the early 90’s, BEMA has sponsored a series of tests by an independent testing firm to determine which bathroom cleaners were both effective at removing soap scum and gentle on the finish of the metal hardware that frames the bath enclosure. The latest study was completed in April 2006. The following is a description of how the study was conducted along with the results of the tests.

TEST PROCEDURES, effective cleaning
     Bathroom cleaners were tested on dirty bath enclosures. To test cleaning effectiveness, 100% cotton cloths soaked in each cleaner were placed on the glass and anodized aluminum in multiple spots for two-minute and thirty-minute exposures. At the end of each exposure, the surface was washed for 15 seconds with a slow back-and-forth motion using 1 KG of force. It was then rinsed with water and dried with paper towels.

     A rating scale was established ranging from zero to three. If the cleaner failed to clean the applied buildup, it received a rating of three. If it slightly cleaned the applied buildup, it received a two. If the cleaner moderately cleaned the applied buildup, it received a one. If the cleaner produced a rating of very clean on the applied buildup, it received a zero. Each cleaner received a score for the two-minute exposure to glass, the 30-minute exposure to glass, the two-minute exposure to aluminum and the 30-minute exposure to aluminum. These four scores were then added together for a total between zero and twelve, with zero being the most effective and twelve having no effect on soap scum.

TEST PROCEDURES, aluminum/powder coat exposure
     Bathroom cleaners were tested on 12-inch samples of aluminum extrusions used for bath enclosures. Five drops of each cleaner were placed on the surface. The cleaner was allowed to stand for 16 hours, and then both spots were rinsed with water and dried with a clean, 100% cotton cloth. The surfaces were then visually examined and given a rating. If there was no attack on the surface, it was rated a zero. A slight attack received a one, a moderate attack was given a two, a severe attack was given a three and an attack considered broken was given a four. The surface scores for each cleaner produced scores ranging from zero (for cleaners that caused no harm) to eight (for those causing severe damage deemed broken).

THE FINAL RESULTS
     To rank the bathroom cleaners for both gentleness and effectiveness, the two test results for each cleaner were added together. Lysol Bathroom Cleaner earned the best overall rating with a total of 4. As a result, BEMA recommends you use Lysol Bathroom Cleaner on your enclosure for maximum satisfaction.

Return to Enclosure Basics

     © 2002, BEMA.  All rights reserved.