Cleaning tips: Make your bathroom sparkle Bathroom from B&Q
Vinegar should be one of the key ingredients for your cleaning kit. Its acidic qualities cut through grease and grime with ease as well as tackling limescale. If you find the smell of malt vinegar overpowering, opt for white wine vinegar instead which has a more subtle aroma. Dilute equal parts of vinegar with water and decant into a plastic spray bottle that’s easy to carry around. Ideal for tiles, baths, basins and shower doors.
Another product that’s worth its weight in gold is bicarbonate of soda, also known as baking powder. Invest in a big pot. You’ll find it in supermarkets and hardware stores for less than £1. This white powder may look innocuous but don’t be fooled, it’s a hardworking ingredient, also renowned for its deodorising ability.
Gleaming bath tubs and basins
Get into the habit of rinsing down basins and baths after use to avoid a build up of scum. A simple wipe down with your diluted vinegar mixture should keep them sparkling. Enamel baths need a bit more care to avoid scratching the finish. A sponge dipped in bicarbonate of soda should shift everyday grime and limescale. For more stubborn stains, fill the tub with warm water, stir in two handfuls of biological washing powder and leave for 24 hours. Marks will then come off easily.
Make your bathroom taps shine
Without proper care, chrome taps soon look grubby and dull. First of all, get rid of any gunk around the tap using an old toothbrush (you can also use this to clean overflows and plugholes). Then rub with half a lemon. You’ll be amazed at the shine! Lemon will also get rid of limescale deposits on baths, shower screens and tiles, plus it smells great! Always rinse well afterwards. Taps can be given a final polish with baby oil to help maintain the shine.
Getting rid of bathroom mould
Mould is a common problem in steamy bathrooms, often caused by condensation. As well as looking unsightly, it can become a hazard to health so always tackle it promptly. To eradicate mould on tile grout, use a toothbrush dipped in bleach, or for a natural remedy, apply a paste made from water and bicarbonate of soda, leave for 15 minutes then scrub. Some people also swear by shoe whitener. Leave on for 30-60 minutes then wipe off. For more advice, read our guide on how to get rid of mould.
Removing mildew from shower curtains
Treat mildew stains on shower curtains with a weak solution of bleach and water. Or after a bath, add biological washing powder to the water and soak the curtain overnight. Most brands of curtain can also be machine washed on a delicate or cool programme.In cities and hard water areas, limescale builds up quickly and can block the tiny holes on showerheads, causing water to spray in odd directions. Unscrew the head and leave to soak in a basin or large jug of diluted vinegar for a couple of hours or overnight. Ingrained limescale might need scrubbing with a stiff brush or scourer. Rinse well then re-attach.
Squeaky clean toilets
For everyday stains, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda around the rim and scrub with a toilet brush. If the bowl is badly stained with limescale, bale out the water to below the level of the stain. Make up a mixture of borax and vinegar, using equal quantities. Spread the mixture onto the marks, leave for two hours, then remove with a coarse wire scrubber or stiff brush.
Cleaning bathroom mirrors
Keep mirrors looking their best by wiping with a weak solution of vinegar and water. Polish up the glass afterwards with scrunched-up newspaper or a chamois leather. To stop mirrors fogging up, spray the glass with shaving foam, then wipe off. Repeat every couple of weeks for a fog-free reflection.
Keeping dust under control
An old fashioned feather duster is great for dislodging high level cobwebs on walls and ceilings and will also come in handy for light fittings and tops of shower enclosures. To remove dirt on Venetian blinds and shutters, put an old sock on each hand, dampen with water, and rub along each slat. Alternatively, use a pair of cotton gloves.