There was a time when bathroom fixtures were limited to copper or chrome and cleaning them was simple.
As customer tastes have evolved, there has been a rise in the popularity of contemporary matte black furniture and fixtures including sinks, taps, towel rails, shower heads and switches to name a few.
However, as attractive and luxurious as this look can be, cleaning these features can be a challenge due to the process involved in creating a striking finish.
Here, we guide you through the most effective cleaning methods that will ensure your matte black wetroom furniture and fittings remain spotlessly clean and perfectly pristine without becoming damaged in the process!
Are Matte Black Taps and Fixtures Difficult to Clean?
The traditional method used to produce a matte black finish for taps, sinks and other bathroom fixtures is known as electroplating. An electric current is used to apply an extremely thin layer of water-based paint resulting in a stylish yet durable finish that will look good for years to come.
PVD – or Physical Vapour Deposition – is another common procedure where a vacuum applies an ultra-thin, condensed layer of paint to metal. This is becoming increasingly popular and is generally considered to produce harder-wearing surfaces than electroplating does.
The end result is a rough surface that reacts with light to give that desired matte finish. The drawback, however, is that the rough surface is susceptible to damage when it isn’t cleaned or looked after properly.
Most homeowners will testify that cleaning matte black surfaces, furniture and fittings can be tricky, and that extra care should be taken.
One of the more common problems is that matte black surfaces cannot be easily wiped down because of the process involved in producing the stylish finish. Matte black surfaces are also more absorbent than ceramic and chrome alternatives, so marks, stains and limescale become more visible.
It is best to make sure items like soap, toothpaste and powdered makeup are not allowed to build up on matte black surfaces as they will slowly wear away the coating which could affect the finish and cause discolouration.
However, none of this should put you off buying matte black products. Here are a series of simple tips to follow that can help maintain that perfect matte black finish in your wetroom…
How to Clean Black Taps and Bathroom Fixtures
Use Soapy Water
The general rule here is that mild is most definitely best. It sounds too good to be true, but simple soap and water or soap-based cleaners are definitely your best friend when cleaning matte black surfaces, furniture and fittings in your bathroom.
The secret is to use only a few drops of liquid soap in a bucket of warm water. The solution will be mild and gentle and should be lightly applied with a soft sponge or microfibre cloth, ideally in a circular motion.
Once the surface has been cleaned it should then be wiped down with clean water and, if necessary, the whole process repeated until the desired effect is achieved.
It is possible to use an alcohol-based cleaner when staining occurs around a greasy O-ring between a tap and basin. However, we recommend checking with the manufacturer of the product to avoid causing unnecessary damage.
Time to Vacuum
Yes, that’s right – the trusty vacuum can also be useful in the cleaning process! Vacuuming a bathroom regularly will prevent the build-up of dust which clings to matte black surfaces, making them appear dirty and stained.
Maintaining your wetroom in this way will help to keep them dust free and prevent unnecessary stains from forming on black taps and fixtures.
How to Get Rid of Limescale on Black Taps
Hard water can make a difference to the appearance of black taps due to a higher concentration of limescale than in soft water.
Limescale is a chalky-white deposit mostly containing calcium carbonate which is left behind when hard water evaporates. To keep your black taps limescale-free and looking their best, it is advised to wash them regularly with warm, soapy water.
Stubborn limescale stains are more difficult to remove, but applying vinegar or lemon juice onto a cloth and scrubbing gently will produce good results.
Things to Avoid When Cleaning Matte Black Surfaces
Strong Cleaning Chemicals
Using a strong, chemical cleaning fluid could cause serious damage to matte black products and result in colour fading or even paint loss to taps, shower heads and switches, for example. Abrasive liquids, acid-based cleansers, waxes and many polishes should also be avoided as they, too, can lead to permanent damage.
Abrasive Cleaning Tools
It’s not just chemical products that can affect the general appearance and lifespan of matte black bathroom furniture and fittings. It may seem obvious, but cleaning these items with abrasive materials such as a scouring brush can lead to deep and ugly scratches, so must be avoided at all cost.
Anything made of metal can scratch – especially on bathroom products with a matte black coating – and should be treated with extra care during the cleaning process. Think of it as if you were polishing a car or something made of chrome – anything sharp like a ring on a finger or anything hard or abrasive is likely to leave a mark.
Therefore, it is best to limit contact to microfibre cloths, soft sponges and towels or skin – stick to these and your matte black bath ware will remain as good as new for many years to come.
Beware of Installation Dangers
Matte black taps, sinks and other bath ware items are more likely to suffer scratch damage during the process of installation. It is recommended that all new products are checked and inspected for imperfections and that tradespeople take extra care when handling and installing items.
When the items have been installed, they should also receive a protective cover if building and renovation work is still ongoing as there is a risk of damage from heavy tools, for example.
Using professionals like CCL Wetrooms to complete installation work will help to avoid any unnecessary damage to your bathroom products and give you peace of mind.
Introduce Matte Black Fixings to Your Wetroom with CCL Wetrooms
CCL stock a complete range of matte black products. With nearly 30 years’ experience in designing, manufacturing and installing wetrooms, you can trust in us. For more details, contact us today.
