How to keep your balustrade looking good
Our bespoke stainless steel and glass balustrade systems are beautiful to look at, which is part of what makes them so popular with customers looking for this kind of addition to their home – whether indoors or out.
But how do you keep our balustrades looking as good as they did when they were installed? It’s all a simple matter of TLC – take a look at some our top balustrade maintenance tips.
Little and often is better than a deep clean
The materials used in our balustrades – namely glass and stainless steel – are selected for their aesthetic appeal, strength and durability, and low maintenance requirements. As such, they rarely require specialist, in-depth care. Cleaning them down every few weeks will generally keep them looking good, and negate the need for any deep cleans.
Simple is best: warm water and a cloth
Sometimes, simple really is best – and this is one of those times. Our stainless steel and glass balustrade systems should be wiped down regularly using warm water and a cloth.
Drying your balustrade off with a towel afterwards will prevent unsightly watermarks (note: if water spots do occur, these are not permanent and will not damage the balustrade – they can simply be rubbed away).
Deeper clean: soapy water
If it’s been a while since the last time you cleaned your balustrade, a little washing-up liquid added to the warm water will help to remove any dirt such as soil, bird droppings, mildew and general contamination. Washing-up liquid will not damage the glass or stainless steel, but will help to soften and dissolve harder to remove dirt.
Make sure you rinse your balustrade after washing with soapy water, then dry with a towel as above to prevent water spots.
Sticky fingers: glass cleaner
Particularly pertinent for indoor balustrades, standard glass cleaner is an effective way to remove greasy or sticky fingerprints from your glazed panels, and get your balustrade looking bright and beautiful once more. Follow the user instructions and buff dry with a towel afterwards for a sparkling finish.
Scratching and stains: stainless steel cleaner
If the stainless steel components on your balustrade haven’t been properly maintained, or have been damaged, they may show some light staining or scratching. This can sometimes be treated with specialist stainless steel cleaners – these mild abrasives can be used to gently minimise marks.
If you do decide to use a stainless steel cleaner on your balustrades, remember to read and follow the instructions, and to test a small amount of the product in an inconspicuous area.
What not to do
Balustrade maintenance is best kept simple – always try the first options mentioned here before moving on to products and abrasives. There are also some cleaning methods that we would never recommend you try:
- Steel wool and sandpaper
- Chlorine and chloride-based solutions
- Muriatic or hydrochloric acids
Follow the balustrade maintenance tips in this article and your balustrade should stay looking as good as the day you bought it.
Take a look at our stainless steel and glass balustrades or follow us on Twitter @EliteBalustrade for more blogs and tips.
Published: 4th November 2016
