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How to clean tap spigots?

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Hi all. I hope this is the right place to ask this. Wasn't sure if it should go in Old Style. Anyway, does anyone know what to do about cleaning taps? Not the outsides, but the spigot exit point, where the water comes out. It seems like these should be cleaned now and then as bacteria/etc. could build up, but I've only ever heard of this on an episode of that OCD cleaning programme. I believe that person did it with a bleach solution.

Does anyone clean these, and if so, what's the best/safest way to do it, especially for taps used for drinking water?

Comments

  • wallbash
    wallbash Posts: 17,775 Forumite
    Don't know about bacteria, but have problems with the lime scale.
    Valkal works well but drips off to fast. When desperate, wrap a little torn j cloth and soak in valkal. It works but is not cost effective,.
    But this cures exterior problem, life is to short to worry about the parts I can't see.
  • London50
    London50 Posts: 1,850 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Wallbash

    This could be more cost effective to buy, we have a few and put them on the taps overnight {no waste that way} and does a great job by the morning

    http://www.lakeland.co.uk/23435/Limey
  • wallbash
    wallbash Posts: 17,775 Forumite
    Seems to use a LOT of fluid ? far more than I would use.
    So is it more cost effective?

    quick thought, might try using an old rubber glove , filling ( just a little ) a finger, rest of 'hand' to tie to handle.

    But many thanks.
  • PasturesNew
    PasturesNew Posts: 70,698 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I've never bothered, although have considered it now I'm in a hard water area. What I plan to do is to put something into the sink that's tall/sturdy and just misses the bottom of the tap end - and on top of that put a little pot full of whatever I wish to use/try. Then I'd pour the liquid (bleach/viakal/whatever) into the little pot and leave the end of the tap soaking. Then I'd use an old toothbrush to give it a bit of a scrubbing.
  • London50
    London50 Posts: 1,850 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    wallbash wrote: »
    Seems to use a LOT of fluid ? far more than I would use.
    So is it more cost effective?

    quick thought, might try using an old rubber glove , filling ( just a little ) a finger, rest of 'hand' to tie to handle.

    But many thanks.

    You do not need to fill them right up but I do agree that an old washing up type glove cut would do the job just as well.

    We got ours when we were rich and long before I found this website, now I darn the darns on my socks and look on this website to see where we can save every penny :0(
  • wallbash
    wallbash Posts: 17,775 Forumite
    I think PasturesNew has cracked it ( I knew the combined brains of MSE would win in the end. )
    Simple , cheap and intelligent..........bit like me!
  • Ianwzzz
    Ianwzzz Posts: 246 Forumite
    I have always used one of those little medicine cup measures and an elastic band and then filled it with white vinegar. Didn't know Lakeland sold something to do the job. Will have to invest in one. Thanks London50.
  • buglawton
    buglawton Posts: 9,246 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    For heavily scaled kettle cleaning I use Kilrock liquid. Same hardware shop has this Kilrock gel product for painting onto taps
    http://www.lakeland.co.uk/21274/Gel-Kilrock-Descaler
    Have not tried it but have no doubt it would work.
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