How do you clean black taps in commercial washrooms?

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Whether your commercial washroom taps are polyester powder coated (PPC) or physical vapour deposition coated (PVD), the method to clean black taps specifically is not as complicated as some may think. Due to a black tap’s vulnerability to discolouration and the material properties of these finishes, you must avoid using harsh detergents and opt for an appropriate cleaning product.

Dolphin Solutions has total confidence in our PPC and PVD finishes that coat the Dolphin tap range, including many other commercial washroom products we provide. Our guide will help you with the cleaning frequency, the method to clean black taps, what cleaning detergents to avoid, and when to consult a maintenance agent. You may also refer to this guide when cleaning powder coated or PVD coated taps in any other colour.

How often should you clean PPC commercial taps?

The frequency of cleaning black taps depends on the standard of appearance you wish to maintain. Our advice is to clean black taps regularly to retain the decorative and protective properties of the coating. Prolonged contact without regular cleaning leads to a build up of residue on the powder film or the metal substrate (if exposed), resulting in permanent damage to the commercial tap.

Method to clean PPC commercial taps

1. Before cleaning, the maintenance agent’s datasheet must be consulted.
2. All surfaces should be cleaned using a soft cloth or sponge, using nothing harsher than natural bristle brushes.
3. Use an appropriate detergent to clean black taps.
4. Usual maintenance can be done using water with mild detergent (pH 5 to 8).
5. Rinse with clean water and wipe down the surface using a soft cloth.

What to avoid when cleaning PPC coated taps

In no circumstances should any of these detergents be used to clean black taps with a PPC finish:

• Abrasive cleaner
• Abrasive polish
• Any cleaner containing ketones
• Any cleaner containing esters

When to consult the maintenance agent

• • Heavy soiling may occur due to atmospheric pollution, and some stains or residue may need a stronger domestic cleaning product to tackle the deposits. Such cleaning products include petroleum spirits, white spirits, bleach (diluted to 5%), or alcohol-based detergents to clean the commercial tap.After using the cleaning product, it is necessary to rinse the coating immediately. Before using any of these domestic products, we recommend you check with the maintenance agent first for further advice.

• • You must consult the maintenance agent if the commercial washroom is:
    • Exposed to hazardous environments
    • Exposed to unusual environmental factors
    • Close to salt water
    • Within an estuary or marine environment

    These environments are usually attended to on an individual project basis due to the unique and unusual factors that may affect the colour of the PPC finish.

• If polyester powder coated commercial taps are heavily soiled due to a lack of regular maintenance, we recommend consulting a specialised commercial cleaning company that will provide a tailored solution to help clean black taps and remove the stubborn residue.

How often should you clean commercial taps with a PVD finish?

Although PVD coated stainless steel is one of the most durable finishes, it does require regular cleaning to retain its high quality appearance. There is no official set interval to clean black taps in a PVD finish, but we recommend drawing up a cleaning schedule for the facilities team to retain the tap’s elegant appearance and protect the PVD film.

Method to clean PVD commercial taps

1. Use soft clean cloths.
2. Wash with luke-warm soapy water or a mild detergent solution.
3. Rinse with clean water.
4. Dry with a good quality chamois leather cloth.
5. Any ‘water marks’ may be removed by buffing them with a clean and soft cloth. A mutton cloth is ideal for this purpose.

What to avoid when cleaning PVD coated taps

• Avoid all use of metal polishes
• Any abrasive powders
• Creams
• Nylon pads
• Other proprietary cleaning compounds that may contain acids, alkaline or solvents.

When to consult the maintenance agent

• If the budget allows, you should commission a qualified operative to clean black taps in a PVD finish.
• Where metals are fixed into other materials, for example, stone, joinery, or glass, you should refer to the original sub-contractor’s manual regarding the maintenance and cleaning guidance of these materials. Some cleaning agents for special finishes may not be suitable for use on other materials or surfaces.

To find out more about washroom design, please click here to go to our learning hub.