Channeling My Inner Downton Abbey Butler
I’ve been watching way too much Downton Abbey on Netflix lately. I’ll admit that when I was trying this trick out, I felt just a little bit like some kind of clever old-fashioned butler who had all the best tricks up my sleeve for keeping things in tip-top shape. I also felt a little ridiculous, because, well you’ll see.
It all started when my bathroom was looking a little less than spotless. On a side note, my husband Chris recently thought there may have been a leak in the sink somewhere (which, it turned out, there wasn’t), so he took everything apart and when he put the faucet back on, the handles were backwards. I told him just to leave it, as we definitely have bigger fish to fry. Stay tuned for that!
Giving the Faucet a Good Cleaning
So anyway, I started out by cleaning the faucet up nicely, and by nicely I mean I cleaned it at all. Because that’s just not something that happens too regularly around here lately. I mostly do the toilets and leave the other fixtures to fend for themselves. But I cleaned them for you and for the good of all of blogkind and now I’m most definitely glad that I did.
The Wax Paper Trick
When I was done cleaning, I took a sheet of wax paper and rubbed it over all the chrome. This is where I felt ridiculous, because paper just doesn’t seem like something that you should be polishing with. Rubbing wax paper on things is just the kind of weird thing that gets me made fun of around here. I almost… almost felt embarrassed about trying this one out, even though no one was there to see me.
You know what though? It really did make the clean-ness stick! A few days later I checked back and despite all the handwashing and toothbrushing that goes on here, it was still in tip top shape!
The Wax Paper Advantage
The wax paper creates a thin, protective layer on the chrome that helps repel water and prevent those pesky water spots and fingerprints from showing up. It’s like giving your faucets a nice little waxing to keep them looking shiny and new.
Other methods like using vinegar or specialty cleaners can work too, but the wax paper trick is quick, easy, and incredibly affordable. All you need is a sheet or two from the kitchen drawer.
Maintaining that Showroom Shine
Of course, you’ll want to give your faucets a good cleaning first before applying the wax paper. Tackle any mineral buildup or grime with a damp cloth and a bit of mild soap. Then, simply rub the wax paper over the surface until it’s nice and shiny.
The wax coating will help repel water and prevent new water spots and fingerprints from forming for quite a while. Just remember to reapply the wax paper every so often, especially after deep cleaning sessions.
Beyond the Bathroom
This trick works great on other chrome fixtures too, like showerheads, towel bars, and even stainless steel appliances. The wax paper creates a protective, hydrophobic barrier that keeps surfaces looking their best.
So the next time you’re tackling your spring cleaning, be sure to add this little trick to your arsenal. Your faucets will be sparkling like new in no time, and you can spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your freshly cleaned space. Plus, you’ll feel like the most clever butler in all of Downton Abbey.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some more Downton bingewatching to do. Cheers!
