The popularity of gold taps, black taps and granite sinks has soared over the last year, with searches on the Tap Warehouse site rising by a combined 118%.
Sadly, many people are damaging their luxurious sinks and taps because they don’t know how to clean them.
So to help, Tap Warehouse have created the ultimate guide to cleaning these sleek fixtures - with every tip only featuring natural ingredients you’re likely to already have in the home.
Revealed: Cleaning Your Matt Black Taps Wrong Can Permanently Discolour Them
Whilst they may come across as a touch dramatic, matt black taps are certainly making their way into stylish kitchens and bathrooms across the nation. That’s right - Britain is literally going bonkers for black taps.
This is why it comes as no surprise that in the past year, the number of searches for ‘black taps’ on Tap Warehouse’s website have risen by a whopping 45%.
However, what may come as a shock is the lack of Brits Googling ‘how to clean black taps’. On an average month, only 30 Brits search for this query.
Sure, whilst knowing how to clean black taps isn’t a matter of life or death - a simple mistake can permanently damage your perfect, Pinterest-worthy taps.
But how, you ask? Simply by using the wrong chemical-based cleaner. In fact, using the wrong cleaner can break down the layers of the tap, and create unsightly scratches. With the average matt black kitchen and bathroom tap costing £200 - this would definitely be a sight for sore eyes.
How to Clean Matt Black Taps Using Two Products Which Cost Pennies
Bet you’re now wondering how to clean your taps more consciously ? Firstly, the big rule of thumb here is that you should never use any chemical cleaners on your black taps.
However, all you need are two products - a soft sponge or cloth and warm water. Whatever you do, never use a scourer as this will permanently damage them due to their delicateness.
Once you’ve got your products, you should:
- Drench your soft cloth or sponge in warm water.
- Gently clean your taps in circular motion - ensuring you’re not too abrasive.
- After a while, you may see some marks from the o-ring at the base of the tap. Don’t be alarmed - this is completely normal, and can be removed with warm, soapy water.
Want to Keep Your Gold Taps Gleaming Without Damaging Them? Here’s How
There’s no denying that gold fixtures can add a touch of glamour to your kitchen and bathroom. So, that’s why it’s unsurprising that Tap Warehouse’s website has seen a combined 141% increase in the number of Brits searching for ‘gold taps’.
However, even the most luxurious products are more likely to last longer if cleaned with natural products you’re likely to have around the home. No ordinary shelf cleaner will do the job of cleaning these products; in fact - they can actually cause irreparable damage.
Use These Three Products to Consciously Clean Your Gold Taps
To avoid damaging your gold fixtures, harsh chemicals and rough sponges just won’t cut it. Instead, you’ll want to use a microfiber cloth and a mixture of 25% white vinegar and 75% water.
Begin by:
- Dipping the microfiber cloth into the solution you’ve mixed yourself.
- Next, drape the wet cloth over the fixture and leave it for approximately 15 minutes.
- Repeat this as many as times as required until they are clean. (Make sure to keep adding the solution to the microfiber cloth.)
- Once they’re clean, rinse the taps with clean water to get rid of the mixture.
- Finally, buff dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
To maintain the sparkling clean look, you should wipe down the gold fixtures after every use (or at the end of the day) with a microfiber cloth soaked in water. Finally, buff them dry with a clean cloth. This will stop residue from building up on the taps.
Own a Granite Sink? Don’t Throw Your Money Down the Drain Through Improper Cleaning
After generating a lot of interest on social media, granite sinks have grown massively in popularity. In the past year, Tap Warehouse has seen a 45% increase in searches for ‘granite sinks’.
However, despite the rising popularity in purchasing this luxurious product - Brits aren’t going out of their way to maintain it. Whilst Google queries for ‘granite sinks’ gain 1,600 monthly searches, ‘how to clean granite sinks’ receives just 170 monthly searches.
Whilst granite sinks are known for their durability in comparison to stainless-steel sinks, they’re still susceptible to problems caused through improper cleaning. This includes permanent damage or discolouration. With the average granite sink costing £300, you should ensure you take care of it or you are throwing away money down the sink (literally).
A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean Granite Sinks
Firstly, it’s important to keep in mind that stainless-steel sinks should be cleaned differently to granite sinks - so if you’ve recently switched to granite, this cleaning guide is perfect for you.
Firstly you should:
- Add mild dish soap and warm water to a soft cloth. You can literally just do this under the tap - there is no need for a bowl.
- Once you’ve got a soapy mix, use the soft cloth to wipe down your sink after each use. This is the best way of maintaining a sink as regular cleaning prevents the need to do a deep clean.
- To keep your sink in sparklier condition, you could even wipe the sink dry after each use. Make sure to remove the wet cloth from the sink as this will help to stop watermarks and limescale from appearing.
- If you need to perform a deep clean due to deep stains - use a homemade mixture of baking soda or white vinegar (either is good, just make sure it’s a small amount) and combine it with water. Add this mixture to a soft cloth or a brush with soft bristles to tackle the harder stains.
If you do want to use a cleaning product, make sure to avoid harsh chemicals such as ammonia, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloride and sulphuric acid. If any of these chemicals are listed on the back of your cleaning product - do not use them!
In addition, we also have an in-depth guide on how to look after granite sinks - which also includes the do’s and don’ts of maintaining them.
So, there you have it – the ultimate guide to cleaning your kitchen and bathroom trend-led features. However, if you’re still unsure of how to clean a specific feature, you can always contact the manufacturer who will advise on the best way to clean your items.
