Preventing slime and staining in your kitchen and bathroom
Top tips to keep slime and stain-free
Slime (black jelly like substance), and staining (various colours from pink, red to black) are caused by organisms that breed in damp, warm environments in your home. These are generally conditions found in bathrooms and kitchens and their occurrence isn’t an indication of a problem with the water supply. It’s typically caused by the growth of common bacteria around the home which is worsened by poor ventilation.
You can see below some easy tips to help keep your bathroom and kitchen free of slime and staining.
Cleaning products don’t have to be expensive, an old toothbrush to scrub those stubborn stains, teamed with a washable microfibre absorbent cloth will quickly shift grime and do the job. For that extra shine, buff with a clean cloth to get those surfaces gleaming.
Look after your sink
Sinks need a lot of looking after as we use them all the time. Regularly wipe down in between uses, making sure that there’s no build-up of dirt and slime. Pay special attention to the tap spout and overflow hole at the back of the sink as this is where staining often occurs.
Shower head
We don’t want to look up when we’re in the shower to see a dirty showerhead. Simply scrub with an old toothbrush dipped in water to remove any staining or grime, rinse and wipe with a clean cloth.
Start at the top
Wet bathroom dust and a slimy build up will cling to surfaces. Use a mop to reach the top of your wall tiles to make the job much easier. Start at the top and work your way down.
Look after your bathroom cleaning equipment
Not only do we need to clean the bathroom, but we also need to think what we are using to clean, such as cleaning cloths and toilet brushes! Use a separate cloth for the loo seat and pedestal, and keep your toilet brush germ free! Always use clean cloths and wash after using. Make sure you’re not cleaning with dirty equipment or hanging them over your sink or taps.
Keep it dry
Good ventilation really helps, turn on your extractor fan to get rid of any condensation, as bacteria loves damp places. Opening the window helps too, but not if it’s cold! Dry off areas with an adsorbent cloth instead.
One great piece of bathroom cleaning equipment (but not essential) is a window vac. This will help to remove condensation and water from shower screens, bathroom tiles and windows to reduce moisture and discourage a slimy build up.
Tile grout
We often get pink and dark staining on grout and sealant that can be tricky to clean. An old toothbrush with a mild bleach solution should do the trick, always remember to wear gloves and protect your clothes from bleach.
More about slime and staining
Looking after the water in your kitchen
Looking after the water in your bathroom
Water hardness
The usual signs of a hard water supply are scaling inside kettles, poor lathering of soaps, and scum.
Lead
Click here to find out more about lead in your tap water
Testing your water quality
We make sure that your water passes strict tests before it comes out of the taps. Find out what makes it so clean and drinkable