Durability of dirt-repellent surface in bathroom ceramics

Hello everyone,

for some time now, bathroom ceramics (e.g. toilets) are often equipped with a dirt-repellent surface. That sounds very practical at first. Does anyone have experience with how well these surfaces work, especially after several years? Does this dirt-repellent effect remain permanent, or does it diminish over time?

That sounds very practical at first. Does anyone have experience with how well these surfaces work, especially after several years? Does this dirt-repellent effect remain permanent, or does it diminish over time?

Sounds like it, but it really isn’t. I know the difference with this coating, often also called the lotus flower effect. Nice after cleaning, gone again after a short time. In the new house there are only "normal" surfaces.

That actually varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some have an additional coating that wears off over time. Others use a special glaze that is significantly smoother on its own. According to my modest experience, this lasts at least seven years (in [toilet] and [washbasin]). However, the extra cost for something like this is now negligible. For example, our [toilet bowls] are now only available with special glaze.

The lotus effect has been known for over 20 years, if not even longer. First in exterior paint, then also for example in sanitary ware. You can't avoid cleaning anyway, at least in the toilet. Because whether feces slide off or not - cleaning is against bacteria. Other sanitary ware (washbasin, shower) is rubbed dry anyway after use.

The effect is there but diminishes after several years. We used it, it cleans easier and faster.

I had such a toilet bowl in the old house. It was great for a few years, then the coating wore off and then it was really bad, it cleaned much worse than uncoated ceramics. It’s not coming into my house anymore.