Cleaning a surface with IPA cleaner before applying Tenura bathroom stickers is the correct procedure to ensure long-lasting performance. Using our experience and knowledge gained from working within the industry since 1997, we have invaluable information to pass down to our loyal customer base, yes, that's right, you! In this blog post, we explain why IPA cleaner is essential when applying Tenura bath stickers.

What is IPA cleaner?

IPA cleaner, also known as Isopropyl Alcohol, is a disinfectant cleaner often used in medical environments. In our industry, we use it to remove grease and dirt from a surface before application. There are two variants, 70% and 99% IPA. Both are suitable for the application of Tenura non slip bath stickers.

Each has its uses; for instance, 99% IPA is fantastic for cleansing electronics due to its higher volume of alcohol, which evaporates quickly, avoiding damage to water sensitive components. 70% IPA cleaner contains 30% water. Research suggests that it is a better disinfectant, which is based upon the fact that water is a catalyst (accelerator) in this equation, the additional 29% water means the solution evaporates at a slower rate. Due to this, the solution remains on the surface for longer, destroying the growth of microorganisms.

How does IPA cleaner work?

IPA cleaner dissolves acids from the surface and with usual cleaning methods can remove contaminants such as dirt, grease and oil. These contaminants prevent anti slip bathroom stickers adhering to surfaces, in this case, bathtubs or shower trays.

Why use IPA cleaner?

Many people use cream-based cleaners to clean their bathtubs or shower trays. The main reason for non-slip bathroom stickers failing is the use of cream-based cleaners before application. Cream-based cleaners often leave a powdery residue, which prevents the bathroom stickers adhesive from effectively bonding to the surface, causing them to fail. Using IPA cleaner correctly removes all contaminants from a surface, allowing the adhesive to achieve a strong bond. This is why IPA cleaner is the perfect choice for use in the application of anti-slip bath stickers.

Where can I buy IPA cleaner for bath sticker application?

There are many online shops where you can order IPA cleaner. We have rounded up top retailers selling IPA cleaner under £10!

Retailer	Price	Composition	Volume	Medium
Ebay	£3.99	99.9%	50ml	Miniature Spray Bottle
Cheap Franking Supplies	£4.99	99.9%	N/A	Wipes (5)
Antistat	£5.10	70%	N/A	Wipes (200)
Hexeal	£9.26	99.9%	1L	Jerry Can
RS	£9.29	99.9%	500ml	Tinned Solution
Cromwell	£9.34	99.9%	400ml	Aerosol
Amazon	£9.99	99.9%	500ml	Twist Cap Solution

As you can see above, there are many forms of IPA cleaner, choose one that you are comfortable using. There are a few quantities to choose from as IPA cleaner has many uses, so this purchase is not solely for Tenura anti slip bath stickers. For instance, you can disinfect many surfaces in your home as it is safe to use on plastics and glass, which is crucial during this current pandemic.

How can I use IPA cleaner safely?

1. You must make sure the room is well ventilated. It is essential as IPA cleaner contains alcohol, which gives off fumes that can be toxic. Ensure the room is ventilated, by opening windows and doors, allowing fresh air to enter.
2. Please also note it is incredibly flammable due to the concentration of alcohol, so keep well away from flames, e.g. lit candles in your bathroom.

What are bath stickers?

Anti slip bath stickers are small pre-cut shapes that you can apply to your bathtub or shower to add non-slip properties. Tenura bath stickers are an essential daily living aid in any bathroom and can help everyone gain confidence by having a sure-footing when bathing. Tenura bath stickers come in two shapes (circles and strips) and two colours (transparent and white).

How do I apply anti slip bathroom stickers?

We have an in-depth blog that goes into detail to make sure your bath stickers are applied correctly for ultimate longevity. Read our blog post on "How to Apply Tenura Non Slip Bath Stickers".

IPA cleaner produces the best result, ensuring Tenura bath stickers adhere optimally. Now you know all about Tenuras top tip regarding the application of Tenura bath stickers! You can explore more innovative Tenura daily living aids via our products page and broaden your knowledge via the Tenura blog, so please subscribe.

All prices in the IPA cleaner table are correct at the time of publication

A large majority of the population will have an expert opinion on this, as as far as I’m aware, almost everyone takes a bath or shower daily.

I’ve had lots and lots of bath mats in my home, and some of them have done their job…. when they are new, and for about a few weeks after. Some either don’t work at all, or fail after a few weeks previously mentioned.

Anti-slip bath mats, for me, are a tried and tested means of applying an anti-slip surface to your bath, or shower, in some cases. When my nephew was born, we even had one that would indicate if the water was too hot.

While them being a tried and tested means is true, they do have many pitfalls which have made me decide to never use them again. One, cleaning them, is a pain, and unless you are vigilant in the process of making sure it is clean, you will have a mat covered with, for want of a better description, bath scum, which after a while, will not come off. This results in the suction cups not working, meaning you have to remove the mat, clean it, and re-apply, sometimes needing you to step on it to get the cups to work properly, with sometimes almost disastrous results. Not only is a mat not a suitable surfboard, but a bath is also not big enough to surf in, and I’ve had many a fright in my life stepping on to one only for it to attempt to take my legs from under me.

The hygiene of the things is a major pain, as they build up dirt so fast, and while I assume someone has created a mat that eradicates this, the price of it is no doubt ridiculous.

So although my opinion on mats, is jaded, they have, for the most part, served the purpose they were created for. But these negative factors have made me decide that I will never purchase a bath mat for my home again.

It is here that we move on to the veteran bath mats opponent, the anti-slip bath sticker. Having used them for the past year or so, I am pretty sure that if I just told you to throw out your mat away and apply these to your bath or shower floor now, these words alone should be enough to convince you to give them a try. However, to make this a more interesting ( hmm.. ) and informative read, their factors must be mentioned, so here we go.

Anti-slip bath stickers have been the most efficient anti-slip surface I have applied to a shower or bath, there are some I applied, in about 5 minutes I may add, about a year ago in a shower, which was a death trap, and they are still there, still stuck fast, still clean, and still keeping people sure footed while they wash.

Out of the whole roll ( consists of 72 discs, or 30 strips if you prefer those ), I used about 20-25 discs which covered the surface enough to not leave any completely open spaces on the surface that a foot would not be on a disc. The cost of a roll is very low, and compared to a bath mat, is ridiculously cheap, considering how many baths and showers you could apply them to, or potentially, one roll could last you for many, many years.

So far, I have never had any I have applied fail, though there have been mentions of them failing (I must hasten to add that this has been due to residue on the surface they have been applied to, please see the anti slip bath stickers application video for correct application )

Keeping them clean is easy too, partly down to the material and construction of the stickers, no bacteria can harbor on them, though I would like someone, and I myself may attempt to get them dirty, and see how easy they are to clean compared to a mat, but using common sense and logic, I don’t see myself trying to wipe or even scrub a limp mat any easier than cleaning stickers.

Anti-Slip Stickers vs Bath Mat - Pros & Cons

Cleaning

• Non-slip bathroom stickers are easy to wipe down, unlike bathmats which require a lot of effort to clean effectively.

Product Lifetime

• Bath stickers last for years. Therefore, they have a longer product lifetime than that of a bath mat, which needs frequently replacing as the non-slip properties decline.

Cost

• The initial cost of both is low, but the product lifetime of the bath stickers is greater, so, they do not need replacing as often as a bath mat, meaning long term savings.

Coverage

• With bath stickers, you can spread them across the target area and therefore, you are not limited compared to the predetermined size of a bath mat. Alternatively, if you are trying to cover a shower base, it isn't easy to find a bath mat to cover the entire area.

Environmental Factor

• As a bath mat needs replacing frequently, more bath mats need to be produced, and as a result, more are sent to landfills compared to bath stickers. There is also more material used to create a bath mat each time than there is to manufacture non-slip bath stickers.

Fitting/Upkeep

• The initial set up for the bathroom stickers takes a slightly longer amount of time than the bathmat. However, due to the nature of a bath mat, the overall upkeep is more extensive than its counterpart. Each time a bath mat needs cleaning, it has to be removed and re-applied to the surface.

Mould Resistance

• The material that makes up the Tenura anti slip bath stickers is by design, not susceptible to mould growth. However, that cannot be said for bathmats, as not all are anti-fungal.

Removal

• Bathroom stickers are difficult to remove from a surface, which is also the selling point. On the other hand, bath mats are easy to remove.

Non-Slip Properties

• Both have non-slip properties; however, the decline is quicker for bath mats than bath stickers.

Aesthetics

• Bath stickers are discrete. Tenura bath stickers are available in a transparent version as well as white. Bathmats have holes that collect dirt and mildew, becoming decrepit in both looks and colour.

Who's the winner, Anti Slip Bath Mats or Bath Stickers?

My mind was already made up on the victor of this small contest, making my opinions, somewhat biased, but just.

Of course, for me, the winner is the anti-slip bath stickers, but if you read this, hopefully, that is pretty clear anyway.

Tenura Aqua Safe Anti Slip Bath and Shower Stickers