How to clean the tap in the best way

Something we touch many times every day but clean far too rarely is our taps. And although you probably clean the part of the tap you touch, there are a couple of hidden parts that some have never cleaned before.

Your tap might actually be much dirtier than you think! But don’t worry, we’re now going to share our best tips on how to clean your tap in the best way.

Everyday cleaning of taps

You probably wipe off the tap every time you clean the sink itself. This is simple and goes incredibly fast. A microfiber cloth and an environmentally friendly cleaning agent are all you need. Try to wipe the tap every day to keep it fresh and free from bacteria and viruses. If you want it to shine a little extra, you can spray with window cleaner and wipe it off – then it looks like at a hotel!

When it comes to taps that have a handle you lift up or open sideways, there is a spot many forget to wipe off, which is the edge under the handle that appears when you open the tap. When the tap is closed, this small strip is hidden and it’s easy to miss cleaning there. And believe us, some taps have never been cleaned there! So if you want an extra clean tap, don’t forget to open the tap when you clean so you can reach everywhere!

If, on the other hand, you have traditional tap handles that you turn to open the tap, you can take a bit extra around their threads when the tap is open.

Another important place to clean regularly is around the base of the tap, that is where it meets the sink. Here, annoying limescale can otherwise build up that is difficult to remove. It’s better to clean a little and often so it always looks nice and you avoid heavy scrubbing. If you already have problems with limescale around the base of the tap, we will cover that in the next section, so read on to learn how to get rid of it.

When you clean the tap daily, keep in mind to:

1. Use a microfiber cloth
2. Use environmentally friendly cleaning agents
3. Don’t miss the joint under the handle
4. Don’t forget to clean around the base of the tap
5. Use window cleaner for extra shine

Bonus tip: If you have the habit of turning off the tap with your knuckles, you reduce both ugly grease marks from fingerprints and the amount of bacteria on the tap!

How to remove limescale deposits around and on the tap

Getting ugly limescale spots and deposits on your tap doesn’t mean you’re bad at cleaning. It has more to do with how hard the water is where you live. If you have high limescale content in your water, you probably need to do a deep cleaning of the taps now and then, even if you clean frequently.

When you want to remove the stains you can use a special cleaning product, but vinegar works just as well. Vinegar needs some time to work, so to prevent it from just running off or drying you can wrap toilet paper around and on the tap which you then pour the vinegar onto. You can also use white wine vinegar, though it’s not as strong as regular vinegar.

Then go and do something else for a while and come back with a stiff brush to scrub with. It may take some effort, but the limescale should come off now. To really reach everywhere you can use an old toothbrush. If you have a lot of limescale on the taps, you may need to repeat the process.

Remember that it becomes much easier to remove limescale if you clean properly every week, so it doesn’t get a chance to settle.

Remove limescale deposits by:

1. Placing some vinegar-soaked toilet paper on the limescale
2. Letting it soak for a good while
3. Scrubbing with a brush and toothbrush
4. Repeating if necessary

The aerator – an overlooked part that needs cleaning

Especially if you have hard, limescale-rich water where you live, you sometimes need to clean the aerator, that is the small part on the end of the tap where the water comes out. If it becomes clogged with limescale, it can affect the amount of water flowing through, and in worst cases bacteria can also grow in it.

Bonus fact: Did you know that cold tap water contains good bacteria that consume bad bacteria? That’s why it’s believed that a lot of water purification doesn’t only happen in treatment plants, but also in the water pipes. But if the water stands still and is relatively warm, for example, legionella bacteria can still grow, so you should flush properly with hot water before drinking cold tap water if it hasn’t been used for a few days.

If it is a kitchen tap you want to clean the aerator on, it is usually possible to unscrew it by hand, whereas you probably need a spanner to remove the aerator on a bathroom tap.

When you have removed the aerator, which often contains a tap filter, put it in a glass with four parts water and one part vinegar. While the aerator is soaking you can use a toothbrush to clean inside the tap where you can reach. Finally, thoroughly wash the aerator with the toothbrush, rinse it and screw it back on.

Here’s how to clean the tap aerator:

1. Unscrew it by hand or with a spanner depending on the model
2. Place it in four parts water and one part vinegar and let it soak
3. Scrub the inside of the tap with a toothbrush in the meantime
4. Then scrub the aerator with the toothbrush and screw it back on

Feeling like giving the taps at home a thorough clean? Or is it hard to find the time? We offer home cleaning in Stockholm for those who need a little extra everyday luxury. Get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to tell you more about how we can help make your daily life easier!