How to maintain and clean our Airstream Teak Shower MatsUpdated 21 days ago
It depends on when you purchased your Teak Shower Mat from us
If you purchased your Teak Shower Mat AFTER August 2023 -
It has a no-maintenance, nitrocellulose finish. Routine cleaning is simple:
- Lift the shower mat off the shower floor so you can rinse soap and debris off of both sides.
- Rinse the mat with water from the shower head to remove soap and debris.
That's it! No need for harsh chemicals or scrubbing. If the mat is exceptionally dirty, you can clean it with mild soap and water using a soft brush or cloth. Let it air dry completely before placing it back.
If you purchased your Teak Shower Mat BEFORE August 2023, and it is branded "Airstream Life Store" on the bottom -
It is made with a teak oil finish, which requires routine cleaning and maintenance of the oil finish. With a little TLC, your Teak Shower Mat will continue to look like it did when you first bought it. Here's how to do that:
After each trip:
- Rinse and wipe excess water from the mat,
- Remove the mat from the shower and place it somewhere it can fully dry. Do not leave the mat in direct sunlight. Doing so can darken the mat.
Every few trips, if soap and shampoo are building up:
- Wash the mat with a light dish detergent, then rise and dry as described above.
Every 3-4 months (more often if you are full timing):
- Deep clean and re-oil the mat, according to the instructions below.
DEEP CLEANING AND RE-OILING
Materials you’ll need:
- 2 terry cotton cloths like an old towel, or soft rags
- TSP cleaner*
- Clear exterior wood finish oil, such as WATCO Exterior Finish*
- A little bit of clean water
- A clean bucket
* Easily available at most hardware stores.
Instructions:
- In a bucket, mix TSP according to the directions on the box.
- Wash the mat with the TSP solution and a clean terry cloth to remove the soap residue and hard water stains. You’ll see the result of this cleaning almost immediately. For stubborn water stains or larger amounts of soap scum, use a light abrasive sponge or a very light (120 grit) sandpaper.
- Dip the second cloth/rag into the wood finish oil. You’ll only need about 1 teaspoon of oil—a little dab goes a long way.
- Wipe the entire mat with a light coat of the wood finish oil. The beauty of the wood will be restored and the mat will look like new in seconds.
- Let the oil dry for several hours. If desired, apply another thin coat of wood finish oil.
- After allowing the oil to dry for 24 hours, return the mat to your Airstream shower pan.
HOW TO CLEAN OIL FROM THE SHOWER PAN:
In rare circumstances, the wood finish oil may leave a stain on the fiberglass shower pan. You can easily clean this with warm water, liquid detergent (like a dish soap), and a Scotchbrite (or similar) dishwashing sponge.
Do not use abrasive cleaners such as Bon Ami or Comet on the fiberglass shower pan.
OTHER TIPS:
We recommend you place a drain strainer in the drain. This will trap hair that can cause water to remain in the shower pan, under the mat. These inexpensive strainers can be found in hardware stores and grocery stores. Remember to clean hair out of the strainer regularly.