The Tub King Blog - Tub Talk: November 2013

The Cinderella Slippper Tub

By Kerry Knight

Everyone remembers the Disney classic, "Cinderella." As she rushes from the Ball, as midnight approaches, she loses her slipper. The Prince will eventually find her, but only after he puts that slipper onto her foot for the perfect fit.

There is a deep soaking bathtub that has been appropriately named, the Slipper Tub. One end of the tub has a very tall, and pronounced slope, thus resembling a slipper. The sloped end is 29 inches from the floor to the top of the rim. The opposite end is 21 inches tall. The faucet is located on the side of the rolled top, so that one can conveniently control the water flow.

The slipper tubs are made of cast iron with bright, white,

porcelain glass covering the interior.

The Slipper comes in several sizes. All tubs are measured from outside rim to outside rim. The width is a consistent 30 inches.

The 57 inch slipper would be appropriate for the petite body. The 61 inch Slipper is for the average frame. The 67 inch would be more for the taller person.

The Slipper comes with majestic metal legs, ornately designed. They are available in chrome, brushed nickel, oil rubbed bronze, or a color of choice.

The Slipper can be accented with a color on the outside the tub, other than white. Popular colors have been candy apple red, midnight black, and buttery cream.

The Slipper tub often comes with a tub caddy, which is a metal tray that reaches across the width of the tub. This is the ideal place for the glass of wine or your favorite book.

The Slipper tub has appeared in more movies than any other style of tub. It will forever be known as the sexy tub or the glamour tub.

Another variation of the Slipper is the "Double Slipper."

This one has the tall slope on each end of the tub. It reaches 72 inches in length and can be the tub of choice for a couple wishing to bathe together. It is a monster in size and a real beauty to behold. The dual symmetry of the tub makes it a perfect choice to be centered at a large decorative window in the bath. The ornate legs that support it are even larger than normal, and also can be purchased in chrome, brushed nickel, oil rubbed bronze or a color of choice.

The Slight Slipper also has the high back on each end without such a pronounced slope. Some find this one to be even more comfortable. It is 71 inches long by comparison for the back.

And we all know, it's not just the beauty of these tubs that attract us. It's also the comfort and relaxation that it offers, when you fill these deep tubs with warm water, place the towel at the nap of your neck, close your eyes, and forget about the day's drudgery.

In this article, I have discussed the Slipper tubs and its other variants, the Slight Slipper and the Double Slipper. I discussed all the benefits, the dimension and the varieties for this glamorous tub. Because this tub has been featured in so many movies, it is always remembers as a sexy and glamorous tub to bath in. This tub is so beautiful that people sometimes forget how relaxing and comfortable this tub is in use. If you found this article to be useful please pass it on to your friends. Leave a comment or tell us your slipper tub story in the comment section (PG only) below. It has been my pleasure sharing this information with you. Thanks again for sharing this journey together.

Until next time keep smiling.

Alan & Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc and Senior Bathtub.com in Jacksonville Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products they are also award winners, winning the best of Jacksonville Chamber Award 3 years running. If you would like to contact them call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231 or email them at alan@tubking.com.

an elderly woman exiting or entering a bath tub while grasping the back support of the in-tub seat as she was simultaneously using a walking cane for added stability (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Kerry Knight

Falling is the second leading cause of accidental death, worldwide, but it is the number one cause of death and injury among our senior population. With the elderly, even falling from a standing position to the ground may cause serious injury.

Chances of Falling are High

New findings, just out, suggest that the very fear of falling increases the probability of
future falls among seniors. Most medical and gerontology professionals now believe that a constant fear of falling can damage one's peace of mind just as much as falling itself.

With decreased mobility and the likelihood of using multiple prescription medications, it's no wonder that seniors live in fear of falling.

One of the common areas in the home that is a likely spot for falls is the bathroom. There are several reasons why:

Event Medical Sevices R240YMD . Wembley . 29th-May-2010 (Photo credit: AndrewHA's)

Many tile floors are slippery, especially if wet
Most baths are small and crowded with furnishings
Getting up and down on the toilet can be a challenge
Entering the bathtub by stepping over the rim (many time a 12 inch step)
Falls inside the tub due to slippery floors , walls and shower curtains.
Possibility of losing balance because of standing.

What makes matters worse is that if there is a fall, there is the danger of a more serious injury with the hard, rigid fixtures such as the sink and tub, not to mention the hard floor, should it be ceramic tile.

The elderly also fear that once they fall they may not be able to get up and call for help, especially if the fall renders them unconscious.

One Solution is a Walk In Tub

Fortunately, there are some solutions. One is the Walk In Tub. Walk In Tubs are designed to help prevent falling in the bathtub. It offers an easy access door, a low threshold of entry, and a built in seat. Once inside you can close the door and lock it with a sealing mechanism that makes it water tight. The tub is then filled with warm water to your comfort level. The tub also comes with an interior grab bar to help in getting up and down. The hand held shower sprayer is right at your finger tips for washing your hair or simply rinsing off.

You can also add hydrotherapy and whirlpool jets to the tub as an option for water therapy. An inline heater with the whirlpool keeps the water warm, so it doesn't cool as quickly.

The tub empties quickly and easily and you exit at the door as you entered.

No more fear of falling. Just a nice, relaxing bath.

Falling will always be a problem for the elderly, but at least some things are being done to create a safer environment in the bath.

In this article, I have discussed the risks and probability of being injured or worse from a fall as an elder. Falls account for a large number of injuries and death in the elder population. One way Baby Boomers are reducing the chances of falls is by installing and using Walk In bathtubs. Walk in tubs provide many benefits including increased safety, convenience, hydrotherapy and especially the feeling of restored dignity and peace of mind. If you found this article to be useful please pass it on to your friends. If you have a comment leave it in the box below. It has been my pleasure shareing this information with you. Thanks again for sharing this journey together. Until next time keep smiling.

Alan & Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc and Senior Bathtub.com in Jacksonville Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products they are also award winners, winning the best of Jacksonville Chamber Award 3 years running. If you would like to contact them call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231 or email them at alan@tubking.com.

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The History Behind Clawfoot Tubs

By Kerry Knight

Ever wonder how the idea of a clawfoot tub came about? Well, it all goes back to ancient Europe. Royalty has created some fine art, either by design or decree, and the deep, soaking tubs sitting upon legs or claws of animals, is one of them.

Unlike the bathing pools in ancient Rome or Athens, the soaking tubs were personal and private. They had no faucet holes, so the tubs were filled with warm water by servants. They were made of many composites such as stone, wood or alabaster.

Eventually, with the passing of time, cast iron molds were made in the shape of deep tubs. Porcelain glass was poured or sprayed over the cast iron. Many were made to sit upon the legs or claws of animals, such as the lion or bear. Some legs would bear the image of fish, eagles, turkeys, and even gargoyles. These designs were also made of cast iron.

During the late 19th century and early 20th century,

the claw foot tub was manufactured in America by many foundries, offering a variety of sizes and shapes. The length of the tub was always measured from the outside. There were 48 inch tubs designed for small adults or children. Then they increased in 6 inch increments: 54 inch, 60 inch, 66 inch and 72 inch.

Most were called traditional roll top or rolled rim. They were designed with a dramatic slope on one end and a more upright design for the plumbing holes on the opposite end. Tens of thousands of these tubs came off the assembly line, and many can still be found today.

Many of these will be banged up pretty bad, with cracks, chips and missing porcelain. There is a great demand for those who can refinish and restore the old tubs to some semblance of their glory days.

Today, the foundries that once thrived in the making of these tubs are gone. However, there are still ways to find newly manufactured ones. Many American companies import newly made cast iron and porcelain clawfoot tubs from different parts of the world. Not only will you see the roll rim design, but also dual ended, slipper tubs and even double slippers.

Like the tubs of old, these new ones are designed to last a hundred years or more. The legs are even more beautifully designed and can be made of chrome, brushed and polished nickel, and even old rubbed bronze.

For those looking for elegance in bathing and rich accents to their architecture, the new and improved clawfoot tub is still available. These tubs can be ship anywhere and can make any bathroom beautiful.

In this article, I have discussed the history of the clawfoot tubs and how it originated in ancient Europe. I also discussed how the many varieties came about and how there is a strong demand for those who are skilled in the restoration of these tubs. Today manufacturing of these tubs has shifted from American foundries to being imported by US company that specialize in the beautiful tubs. This article also lists many of the specific styles of tubs available to chose from. If you found this article to be useful please pass it on to your friends. If you have a comment leave it in the box below. It has been my pleasure sharing this information with you. Thanks again for sharing this journey together.

Until next time keep smiling.

Alan & Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc and Senior Bathtub.com in Jacksonville Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products they are also award winners, winning the best of Jacksonville Chamber Award 3 years running. If you would like to contact them call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231 or email them at alan@tubking.com.

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Walk-in Tubs ... Not Just for Seniors, Part 1

By Kerry Knight

Although the majority of those who purchase and use the Walk In Tub are senior citizens, there are others who have found them to be life savers. One such group are the post-surgery patients.

Regardless of age, when one has had surgery, they have conditions that warrant the need for a walk in tub. The air jetted bubbles, the water jetted whirlpool and the inline heater have proven to assist greatly in the healing process after surgery.

The stimulation to the skin and soft tissue brings an increase in blood circulation to the affected area, thus helping with healing and pain management.

Pain, especially due to swelling, can be helped greatly with water therapy, plus it is natural, drug free, and non-invasive.

The very idea of being able to relax in a walk in tub with warm, circulating water brings a new life back to an aching body.

Also after surgery, the patient is weaker and the fear of falling is a natural concern. Often time’s family members and other caregivers are enlisted to help with bathing. This brings on a higher dependence from others.

No one wants to be a burden on others, and the idea of being able to get into a walk in tub safely, and bathe oneself, is an enormous relief for all concerned.

In this article, I have discussed how walk in tubs are not just for the senior population. Post surgery patients are looking for way to heal faster and stay safe when bathing. Walk in tubs are idea in that they make it easier for recuperating patients to get in and out out the tub to bath plus they get the benefits of hydro therapy as well. This article list a some of feature and benefits of walk in tubs especially with respect to surgery patients. If you found this article to be useful please pass it on to your friends. If you have a comment leave it in the box below. It has been my pleasure sharing this information with you. Thanks again for sharing this journey together.

Until next time keep smiling.

Alan & Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc and Senior Bathtub.com in Jacksonville Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products they are also award winners, winning the best of Jacksonville Chamber Award 3 years running. If you would like to contact them call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231 or email them at alan@tubking.com.
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The Cinderella Slippper Tub

Falls are the Leading Cause of Injuries & Accidental Death Among the Elderly

The History Behind Clawfoot Tubs

Walk-in Tubs ... Not Just for Seniors, Part 1

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