Why You Should Clean Your Taps More Often (and How to Do It Correctly)
When you’re scrubbing the kitchen sink or deep cleaning the bathroom, there’s one place you often forget. Kitchen and bathroom faucets can become breeding grounds for mold, bacteria and harmful mineral deposits.
How often should you clean your faucet head?
The faucet head on your sink should be cleaned once or twice a year. If you have hard water, you may want to clean it every three months to prevent mineral buildup. The goal is to prevent damage, so inspecting your faucet thoroughly as soon as you notice decreased water pressure or uneven water flow will help keep your unit in good working order and extend its life.
Soak the faucet head in vinegar
Using a plastic bag containing a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water, submerge the faucet attachment in the solution, then secure it with a rubber band. You can then leave most faucets submerged for about half an hour to an hour, but be careful not to leave delicate surfaces like chrome, brushed metal or polished brass in the bag for more than half an hour to avoid damaging them. Once the faucet is soaked, use a neutral all-purpose cleaner or some soapy water and a small scrubbing brush or toothbrush to scrub away any remaining dirt, residue, and debris. Once cleaning is complete, be sure to rinse the faucet head by running warm water through it for a minute to remove any remaining soap or vinegar.
Steam the tap head
You can dissolve mineral deposits and also remove dirt from your faucet using steam. Bring the water to a boil in the kettle and then direct the steam from the kettle towards the faucet. Leave it there for a few minutes to let the steam heat the surface of the faucet. Once the steam has taken effect, you can use a toothbrush or small scrubbing brush to scrub away any residue from the faucet head. Finally, run warm water through the faucet to rinse it.
Clean the aerator
For this step you will need to remove the faucet head. First, turn off the water at the shut-off valves under the sink. Then turn the faucet head counterclockwise to release it from the faucet. You may have a nut that holds the faucet head in place, so if the head is not attached directly to the faucet, find the nut that holds it in place and turn it counterclockwise. Once the faucet head is free, you will be able to see the aerator. It will look like a screen with a rubber gasket on the side of the faucet to seal it. This is also a great opportunity to check the rubber o-ring to see if it is worn, and if it is, replace it with a new one . Check the aerator for mineral deposits, mold and debris. You can soak the faucet head parts in a 50/50 vinegar solution or use warm soapy water to clean it and then replace the parts, making sure the faucet head is screwed on tightly and installed correctly before pouring water into the sink. back. Run some warm water through the faucet for a minute to flush out the aerator and faucet head.
Important tips for cleaning your faucet
Be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations when choosing a faucet cleaner to avoid damaging the finish. Since some metals may be sensitive to acids or certain chemicals, you should take care to protect the surface of your fixture while cleaning. It’s also a good idea to avoid using harsh cleaners to clean your faucet—not only to protect the finish, but also to avoid damaging rubber O-rings, valves, or other delicate parts that may not stand up to abrasives or highly acidic substances.