Even if you've neglected detailed cleaning for months (or longer), you can remove stubborn bathroom stains with these tips.
1. Remove lime scale on taps and fittings
Soak the entire tap area with white spirit vinegar and leave it on for 10 minutes before scrubbing the surface with an old toothbrush. Push the bristles into the crevices on the end of the spout (aerator and screen) and on the handles, as well as at the base of the tap.
Once all the deposits have been removed, rinse the cleaner off immediately by wiping the entire surface down with a dripping wet sponge. From there you can dry and polish your taps and fittings with a soft cloth.
If there is still lime scale on the fittings, repeat this process. Eventually the acidity of the vinegar will break down the mineral deposit. If scrubbing doesn't remove hardened mineral deposits on the aerator screen, unscrew the spout tip by turning it counter clockwise. Soak it overnight in vinegar, then scrub it with the toothbrush and flush with water before reinstalling.
2. Clean toilet bowl rust
Before you begin, turn off the water using the shutoff valve by turning it clockwise until it stops. Flush the toilet and use a plunger to remove any remaining water.
Pour cleaner on the toilet brush and spread it over the entire bowl surface. Most proprietary cleaners are hydrochloric acid based and do a fairly good job, but are not good for the environment.
Scrub the toilet using the brush, ensuring that the tip runs back and forth, especially along the toilet jets (holes under rim), around the water line and on visible stains. Scrub until the stains are gone, reapplying cleaner as necessary, then flush twice.
For stains that have been absorbed into the porcelain, use a pumice stone to remove them.
Be sure to use a toilet brush with stiff nylon bristles and a plastic base. Those old wire brushes scratch the bowl. Once the bowl surface becomes scratched or worn, stain removal becomes next to impossible.
3. Get rid of soap scum
To clean up soap scum, coat the affected area with white spirit vinegar. Wait five to 10 minutes for the vinegar to work – this will help cut down the amount of scrubbing needed to clean the surface.
Using a scouring pad, work the vinegar into the grime. If you’re dealing with tough soap scum, you may want to use fine steel wool, not to be confused with regular steel wool, which will scratch the surface.
Reapply the vinegar if necessary and scrub until clean.
4. Remove built-up dirt on grout lines
Make a paste using white spirit vinegar and baking soda, and apply this to grouted areas. Leave this on for 10 minutes before scrubbing away the dirt with an old nail brush or toothbrush.
Rinse the entire tiled surface thoroughly with a dripping wet sponge. Repeat the process until you’ve completely removed the paste. Starting at the head of the room, run a squeegee across the floor and walls to remove as much water as possible
For a quick and easy solution, use toothpaste to clean grout lines.
Article courtesy of www.home-dzine.co.za.
Want all the latest property news and curated hot property listings sent directly to your inbox? Register for Property24’s Hot Properties, Lifestyle and Weekly Property Trends newsletters or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
Print
