In the bathroom, the main enemies are limescale, rust and mold. They appear because of hard water and constant humidity. Let's look at what to clean them with and how to keep them from coming back.
Limescale
White streaks on faucets, tile and glass are limescale from hard water. It dissolves in acid, so it is cleaned with acidic products or ordinary citric acid.
Apply a citric acid solution or a product to the buildup, leave it for 10–15 minutes, then rub with a sponge and rinse. For heavy buildup, repeat the procedure. Do not use acid on natural stone, which may turn dull.
Mold in the grout
Black spots in tile grout and on sealant are mold. An ordinary cleaner will not remove it: you need antifungal formulas or chlorine-based products that penetrate deep into the grout line.
Apply an antifungal product to the grout lines, let it work and ventilate the room thoroughly. The main cause of mold is trapped moisture, so after cleaning it is important to set up airing and ventilation.
If mold has gone deep into the grout or appeared on walls and around windows, read how to get rid of mold in an apartment, or leave it to professional mold removal and tile grout cleaning.
Plumbing fixtures and chrome
Wash faucets, the shower head and chrome parts with a soft non-abrasive sponge so you do not scratch the finish. Dry them with a cloth after washing: this leaves no drops or new buildup on the chrome, and the shine lasts longer.
Glass and mirrors without streaks
Clean glass shower screens and mirrors of buildup first, then wash them with a glass cleaner and wipe with a dry microfiber cloth. Finish with a dry cloth specifically: it removes the remaining moisture and leaves no streaks.
Prevention
To keep limescale and mold from returning as often as possible, keep the bathroom dry and ventilated:
- Dryness: wipe the glass and faucets dry after a shower.
- Ventilation: leave the door slightly open and check the vent.
- Regularity: a light cleaning once a week keeps buildup from taking hold.
During a deep cleaning we thoroughly wash the bathroom and plumbing fixtures: we remove limescale, treat the grout lines and bring chrome and mirrors to a shine.