Clkeaning taps

[jimdoodson]

What is the best way to clean " gold coloured" taps.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Jim

 

[felix]

If those taps have real gold plate on them the answer is "very carefully" because gold is as soft as clarts! Don't use anything abrasive. An advantage of gold - and the only one in my oppinion - is that it's immune to almost any chemical attack.

If you're trying to remove lime scale try citric acid. You can get the pure stuff from home brew shops or you can use lemon juice. Vinegar (acetic acid) is often recommended but it's inferior. Calcium citrate dissolves in water; calcium acetate doesn't.

The other common form of muck in and around baths is 'soap sludge'. This covers a multitude of sins including:

1) Calcium stearate/palmitate/oleate. This is the familiar bath tub ring and is formed when soap (sodium stearate/etc) reacts with calcium salts in the water.

2) Grease, skin flakes and other bodily detritus.

3) Fungus feeding on (2).

Alkalis are better at shifting this stuff so go for sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or the stronger sodium carbonate (washing soda).

NB: DO NOT use acid and soda at the same time! It creates an impressive looking fizz-up but it's a waste of both.

NBB: Don't use either acid or soda mixed to a paste with minimal water. This approach is often recommended but the crystals are abrasive. Ensure that every last one has dissolved.