In Safe Hands
Protect your lovingly outfitted bathroom from getting damaged by grease and grime. JEAN NOEL EDOUARD shares easy- to- do cleaning tips and tricks.
It is a known fact that beautiful things need looking after. Your mother’s pearl necklace, the vintage grandfather clock, heirloom silverware; the list is endless right down to the room which prepares us for our daily battle against the world, the washroom. Modern bathrooms which are kitted out in semi- precious accents are vulnerable and should be on top of every homeowner’s maintenance list as it is here that they interact with the world’s most precious resource, water. While hard water can easily damage the pretty fixtures, some simple measures will go a long way in protecting your territory.
SOAP STARS
Liquid dispensers are prone to clogging with congealed soap which in turn can cause fading and discolouration.
If the cleanser in the pump system dries up and clogs the pump, soak it in hot water and rinse through. Once this is done, put a finger over the spout and press the pump until you feel the pressure building. The air will force any residue soap through the nozzle at this point. When buying dispensers, ask for ones with marine standard plating. which guarantees anti- corrosive properties.
STONE AGE
Fixtures which use semi- precious stone or motherof- pearl inlays should be handled with care. For example, when the buyer takes home the amethyst basins and baths retailed by us, we suggest cleaning with a mild washing liquid. To keep bathtubs clean, remove residues collected from everyday use of soap, oil and moisturisers. Once the basin or bathtub has been cleaned and rinsed off, dry with a soft cloth. Another trick to protect semi- precious stone is to give it a thin coat of baby oil. It is light and non- abrasive and gives the object a sheen by creating a thin film which acts as protection from everyday damage.
FAUCET FABLES
To clean faucets and other metal fixtures, use a damp cloth with a little squirt of washing liquid to remove the grease left behind by our hands and fingers. Rinse off and after drying with a clean soft cloth, apply a cream protector which removes mineral deposits left
behind. Polish gently, leaving a thin film which resists tarnishing and improves water repellence. Follow the procedure to save your fittings and surfaces from lime scale for a number of years.
WATER WOES
Hard water causes major problems in our homes affecting the well- being of most household appliances. The minerals in the water solidify when heated, causing chokes and eventually leading to corrosion. The simplest and most effective way to treat lime scale is by using a mild mixture of white vinegar or lemon juice. This dissolves the mineral coating the pipes, but remember to rinse them straight away as the mixture contains mild acids that if left may mark the plating finish. There are numerous products in the market which promise to keep your precious items shining but the results are often disastrous as many of them contain strong chemicals which damage both your fittings and the environment. It is therefore advisable to purchase cleaning products from the stores which sell bathroom fixtures. The writer is the head of product design at Nagina Waters, a high- end bathrooms and accessories label based in Delhi.