Cleaning Supplies Buyers Guide

Do not over wet, must be "damp" washed, (mop rung out similar to wringing out a flannel), so it is practically drying as you finish mopping it.
For polished floors or laminates, you must use a neutral detergent (or polish maintainer) in order to keep the shine, not hard surface cleaners, bleach or other harsh cleaners, which will dull the gloss.
Before applying a polish or a seal to wood you must establish if it has ever had wax polish applied. If it has and you are planning to use one of the modern self shining polishes, you will have to sand and re-seal first, otherwise you must stay with the wax polish as applied in the past.
If you are planning to seal a wooden floor after sanding, be aware that despite modern improvements, many polyurethane varnishes will scratch especially in a dining room or similar where chairs are constantly being moved. It may be worth considering using an oleo resinous floor seal which will not scratch, and on which you can still apply a regular floor polish.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

Wax polish - Johnson Diversey "Bourne Floor Wax" (liquid)
Modern water based polish (Regular use) - A1 GOLD "Reflection Plus"
Modern water based polish (Heavy traffic areas) - Johnson Diversey "Carefree Eternum"
Neutral detergent - Evans "High Class"
Floor maintainer - A1 GOLD "Restore"
Oleo resinous floor seal - Evans "oleo resin"

Descaling (Toilets)

If you live in a "hard water" area, unless you have a water softener, you will almost certainly have a limescale problem. When looking for the best products to use, please remember that the supermarkets do not often sell descalers that actually work. In fact you will need an acid and most of their acids are not much stronger than vinegar. Also the bleach which they always promote so heavily for toilet cleaning is completely ineffective for descaling, as it is alkaline which simply whitens and washes over limescale which is also alkaline. What you will need is slightly stronger acid.
The commercial acids that we sell for descaling are much more effective and must be used with care.
For toilet bowls we recommend that initially you use a cleaner with a hydrochloric acid base, which you can jet into the bowl and leave for a few minutes, before agitating loose all the limescale with a toilet brush and then flushing. If soiling etc is bad, it might need a second clean.
Toilet bowls that are scale free can then be maintained with a much milder cleaner such as a Sulphamic acid based product which if used regularly and the instructions are followed correctly, will inhibit any build up of limescale.

Descaling (Taps)

The acids that we recommend for descaling around taps and plugholes are Phosphoric and Sulphamic, however it is most important to inform you that none of our acid based products should be used on enamel baths, as they will attack and ruin the surface.
The taps and plugholes can however be safely cleaned by either of the two acids mentioned.
We suggest that you jet the cleaner onto the area and leave it for a few minutes before scrubbing off the limescale with a toothbrush, nailbrush, scouring pad or similar. It is very important that you rinse very thoroughly, as any remaining acid will eventually attack the metal taps.

Descaling (Showers)

The acids that we recommend for descaling showers are Phosphoric and Sulphamic, however it is most important to inform you that none of our acid based products should be used on enamel baths, as they will attack and ruin the surface.
The showers, including the screen (glass) walls and shower head, can however be safely cleaned by either of the two acids mentioned.
We suggest that you jet the cleaner onto a cloth and spread evenly onto the area and leave it for a few minutes before scrubbing off the loosened limescale with a scrubbing brush, nailbrush, toilet brush, scouring pad or similar. Finally rinse thoroughly.

Descaling (Stainless steel sink units)

The acids that we recommend for descaling stainless steel sink units are Phosphoric and Sulphamic, however it is most important to inform you that none of our acid based products should be used on enamel baths, as they will attack and ruin the surface.
Stainless Steel sink units can however be safely cleaned by either of the two acids mentioned.
We suggest that you jet the cleaner onto a cloth and spread evenly onto the draining area and all around the sink itself, leave it for a few minutes before scrubbing off the loosened limescale with a scrubbing brush, nailbrush, or similar. Finally rinse very thoroughly.

Descaling (Tea Urns, Bain Maries etc).

The acid that we recommend for descaling these catering units is Phosphoric which is usually the most effective.
Usually with these types of units, a solution of acid is left soaking until the bubbles cease to be active. The normal solution mix is about 20 to 1.
Obviously, you will not want to spill any acid on the exterior of the units, although it would quite safe on the stainless steel, it is best rinsed off as quickly as possible.
When the solution has ceased to be active, and the unit emptied it must finally be rinsed very thoroughly before using again.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

Toilet descaling acid (hydrochloric) - A.1.GOLD Sanisol T1
Taps, Showers, sink units (Sulphamic Acid) - A.1.GOLD Shower and tile cleaner T5
Taps, Showers, sink units (Phosphoric Acid) - Peach Descaler
Regular toilet cleaner (Sulphamic acid) - A.1.GOLD daily toilet cleaner T3
Catering descaling solution (Phosphoric acid - Staples catering descaler