Useful tips for the care and maintenance of your taps
Ever wondered how to keep your taps as good as new? It’s often the mistakes we make with cleaning that have a negative impact on the condition of our taps.
So let’s take a specific look at what to do - and what NOT to do - depending on the type of tap. One tip that’s always valid, though, is to keep the use of cleaning products to a minimum!
We’ll be giving you some general information on how to treat brass taps and steel taps, but always remember to check the maintenance indications for the specific products first, because particular cleaning and care instructions may be provided by individual manufacturers or for individual models.
Brass taps
Let’s begin with brass taps, which are the most delicate and require the greatest care.
Dos...
To take perfect care of brass taps, it’s important to remember to dry them with a soft cloth after each use, to prevent drops of water leaving hard-to-remove limescale deposits on the surface.
For limescale or streaks on chrome taps, it’s best to use a soft cotton cloth, along with natural products, such as one part white vinegar diluted in three parts water. A gentle cleaning product with citric acid can also be used.
Always remember to rinse with water and dry thoroughly.
Taps with coloured finishes require closer attention, and should only be cleaned with a cloth and tap water, or at most with an extremely gentle cleaning product with a neutral pH (pH7).
...and don’ts
Always remember to avoid using strongly corrosive and acid cleaning products, as well as abrasive sponges, rough metal scourers and microfibre cloths. These products are bad for both chrome and coloured taps.
Steel taps
Rubinetterie Treemme collections are made from durable AISI 316L stainless steel, which guarantees a perfect, lasting finish. Proper maintenance is nonetheless advisable.
Dos...
After each use, we recommend cleaning stainless steel surfaces with warm, soapy water, rinsing thoroughly and drying with a soft, clean cloth, following the direction of the original brushing. On steel taps, traces of limescale tend to form mostly in the corners and at the joints. Remove them using a gentle cleaning product with citric acid, sprayed on a cloth and never directly on the surface.
For limescale stains or streaks, clean the surface of the steel taps with warm vinegar or methylated spirits, rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft, clean cloth. For limescale deposits on the flow regulator, place it with a small amount of detergent in hot water (or in a solution of one part vinegar and three parts water) to dissolve all traces of residue in about 10 minutes.
Any rust stains that appear on a stainless steel surface come from external sources. To remove them, use a detergent containing oxalic acid.
...and don’ts
We highly recommend avoiding the use of cleaning products containing abrasive substances with chlorine (bleach), hydrochloric (or muriatic) acid and descaling products, as well as abrasive sponges, brushes, scouring pads and microfibre cloths. We also recommend not placing dishcloths or sponges soaked in detergent on steel surfaces. Avoid placing open bottles containing detergents or other chemicals close to taps, because the fumes could oxidise and some cases even corrode the material.
Apr 26, 2022
