The safest everyday cleaners for an Ella walk-in tub are ordinary Formula 409 or Dawn dish detergent. Both are safe on the acrylic shell, the chrome fixtures and the stainless steel parts. The one rule that matters most is never to use an abrasive on the acrylic, which rules out scouring pads and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser pads. Pair that gentle cleaning with the monthly vinegar flush, and if your tub has hydro massage, keep the pump inlet cover clear. You will find that cover between the calf jets, just below the seat.

Cleaners That Are Safe

For routine wipe-downs, Formula 409 or Dawn dish detergent with a soft cloth or sponge handles soap film and water spots on every surface of the tub. A gentle brush with dish detergent works well on the intake screen and around the jets. These products are safe on acrylic, chrome and stainless steel, so you do not need to switch cleaners as you move around the tub. Full step-by-step routines are in how to clean and maintain your Ella walk-in tub month by month.

What to Avoid

Abrasives are the enemy of the acrylic finish. Do not use scouring pads or Mr. Clean Magic Erasers on the shell, because abrasives dull and scratch the surface. Keep CLR and stainless steel polish away from the acrylic for the same reason. Both are abrasive enough to damage the finish if they run or splash onto the shell.

Hinges and Stainless Steel Parts

For discoloration on a stainless steel door hinge, CLR followed by stainless steel polish brings the metal back. Apply it carefully to the hinge only and wipe up any product that reaches the acrylic right away. If you cannot lift a stain from the shell with gentle cleaners, send support a photo rather than reaching for something stronger.

Well Water Needs a Little More Attention

If your home is on well water, clean the tub a little more often than the standard schedule to stay ahead of mineral build-up. The same cleaners apply. You are simply repeating them more frequently so deposits never get a foothold on the acrylic or the chrome.

Where the Pump Inlet Cover Is

Only tubs with the hydro massage option have a pump inlet cover, because it protects the intake for the water pump. On those tubs the cover sits between the calf jets below the seat. Keep it free of hair and debris so the hydro jets stay strong. Some newer tubs use a fixed intake screen instead of a removable cover. That screen cannot be taken off, so clean it in place with a gentle brush and dish detergent in addition to the regular vinegar washes. If you are not sure which style your tub has, a photo of the intake lets support tell you. If your tub has air massage only, there is no inlet cover to look for. More on the part itself is in what the pump inlet cover on a walk-in tub is.

The Vinegar Flush

Before first use and once a month afterward, combine 2 cups of white vinegar with 2 cups of water. Fill the tub with water to one inch above the highest jets, add the mixture, run the tub for 10 minutes, then drain. Because the air and hydro lines are fully plumbed, flushing after every bath is not necessary. If you ever see flakes or slime from the jets, follow the cleaning steps for black flakes or brown slime from the jets and the deeper routine in how to clean the jet lines. New tubs sometimes arrive with a little water still in the plumbing. That is left over from factory testing, where the pumps run for about an hour, and the vinegar flush before first use is the right way to clear it.

Common Questions

Still Need Help?

Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.