Bathroom cleaning tips from the Good Housekeeping Institute

A new bathroom quickly loses its gleam if grime, mould and limescale are left to build up - but just a few minutes of daily maintenance will keep it sparkling.

Acrylic and fibreglass baths: clean regularly with an all-purpose bathroom cleaner to prevent dirt and scum accumulating. Remove stubborn marks with neat washing-up liquid and a nylon scourer. For heavy limescale build-up, use a limescale remover, especially around the taps.

Clean enamel-coated cast-iron or steel baths with a proprietary cleaner - find a list of suitable products on the Institute of Vitreous Enamellers website (www.ive.org.uk). Remove limescale with a solution of half white vinegar and half water applied with a soft cloth, avoiding other parts of the bath, such as taps. Rinse and dry. Reduce rust stains by rubbing with lemon juice and salt.

To prevent mould developing on grouting and sealant, wipe down the shower screen, bath and tiles with an e-cloth after use and use a fungicidal bathroom spray once a week. If grout does become discoloured, scrub with an old toothbrush dipped in a solution of one part bleach to four parts water. If watermarks and limescale deposits form, use a proprietary limescale remover such as Viakal.

Wash nylon shower curtains in the washing machine every month. Remove before the spin cycle and hang to prevent creases setting. If mould develops, soak the curtain in a weak bleach solution, then rinse thoroughly.

Descale showerheads every month using either a proprietary liquid descaler or soak in a solution of half white vinegar and half water for a couple of hours. Brush away any debris using an old toothbrush.