Having a gleaming bathroom is important – particularly when it has just been refurbished and homeowners want the space to look like new for as long as possible. It is so easy to tell when a suite is grimy and covered in mildew and scum, so any tips to help people keep those bathroom taps sparkling day in and day out must surely be welcome.
There are several ways to go about keeping Ideal Standard taps and other faucets clean and polished and it can depend on the material used for fittings as to what cleaning method to opt for.
Chrome taps, for example, can be given a new lease of life by rubbing in a bit of toothpaste on any dirty spots and then rinsing off, although anyone considering this method should note that toothpaste is in fact somewhat abrasive and can cause a few scratches if rubbed too vigorously.
It could also be advisable to keep an old toothbrush close to hand, as these are perfect for cleaning at any difficult angles.
Other tips for keeping bathroom taps beautiful and clean include adding some sugar to white vinegar and using the mixture to polish up the metal. Vinegar on its own will also clean these fixtures, but homeowners should steer clear of using salt as this is abrasive and will scratch the taps.
Alternatively, water stains can be easily removed by using a few drops of lemon juice. It could also be a good idea to avoid utilising chemical cleansers on Grohe taps and other such fixtures, as these may do more harm than good in the long run.
Instead, use shower gel or shampoo to give the basin a scrub, as this will mean no harmful substances are left on the porcelain, which also ends up smelling very nice indeed.
Chrome bathroom taps may also benefit from being cleaned with surgical spirits, which will make faucets particularly shiny. Because they contain solvents, they can cut through dirt such as greasy fingerprints – which make their way so easily on to taps – although users should take care when spraying the mixtures, as they are flammable.
Cola could also be used as an alternative to store-bought cleansers and is renowned for its ability to strip dirt away, thanks to its acidity levels. It could be perfect for removing limescale around stainless steel bathroom taps and sinks.
If taps are chrome and in need of some buffing up, then rubbing them with flour could also work wonders. Once rubbed, rinse the flour off and polish with a soft cloth, before gently scrubbing stainless steel sinks with baking powder or a ball of newspaper so they don’t look dull next to such sparkling bathroom taps.
Chrome is particularly easy to clean, but one of the best ways to do so may be to simply use a soft cloth and some liquid soap.
If the faucets are brass or bronze, however, then making up a mixture of salt and white vinegar – half a teaspoon to half a cup respectively – with some added flour to make a paste could be the way to kiss goodbye to dirty taps.
Apply this in a thick layer and then leave for half an hour before rinsing off. Such methods are also particularly good for the environment, as they encourage people to steer clear of chemical-based cleaners that could harm both the natural world and their health.
