How to Clean Chrome Bathroom Fixtures

How to Clean Chrome Bathroom Fixtures

February 14 2022

Beautiful chrome bathroom fixtures can become the crown jewel of a bathroom remodel. They sparkle and shine like the diamonds in a tiara. Unfortunately, without regular maintenance, bathroom chrome fixtures can quickly turn from the accent pieces of your bathroom to the dull, water-bespeckled handles that guests fear touching.

How can you clean your chrome fixtures and keep them clean so you maintain your beautiful room? Cleaning a bathroom takes little time and effort if you do it regularly and have the right tools. Keep reading to learn some helpful bathroom cleaning tips that will keep your chrome sparkling.

Cleaning Bathroom Fixtures Naturally

You may picture a variety of plumbing supplies when you think of how to scrub your fixtures. Truthfully, your best tools are in your kitchen pantry. Here are some natural ways to keep your chrome clean.

Vinegar

Distilled white vinegar is the most common household acid. Homeowners who have needed an easy solution to dirty homes discovered long ago that a basic one-to-one ratio of vinegar to water will effectively clean most messes. Some people will even tote vinegar as more powerful than dish soap.

Begin with your one-to-one ratio. Then use a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge to wipe off your chrome. Scrub the smaller, more intricate details with a toothbrush. The acid in vinegar makes it a powerful cleaner. So when you mix it with water, you dilute the acid. If you want a more powerful cleaner, make sure you do not overdilute the vinegar. After a little work, you’ll see the grime dissolve as the acid of vinegar eats it away. You’ll end up with a shiny, good-as-new chrome fixture.

Lemon

Lemons also fall into the “acidic” category in your kitchen. As a result, they work for cleaning tasks, especially to shine up your chrome faucets and fixtures. Begin with a couple of lemons, cut in half. If you have many fixtures, you will need more lemons. Scrub the chrome of your fixtures with the lemon pith.

To see maximum results, apply pressure to the lemon and then switch to a fresh lemon when you feel that you’ve worn your lemon out. Lemons require a bit of patience, especially if you’re eating with buildup or hard water stains. Once you’ve juiced the fixtures thoroughly, walk away for three to five minutes to let the lemon juice do its job. Then, use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the pith or juice left on the fixture. Continue to repeat this process until you have the shiny, chrome fixtures you desire.

Baking Soda

Homeowners have long toted the cleaning and deodorizing effects of baking soda. It adds the scrubbing power you need for the gunky chrome fittings and stubborn stains.

To clean with baking soda, begin with an inexpensive box of baking soda, a gallon of distilled water, a microfiber cloth, a rubber band, and a plastic spatula.

Create a paste by mixing a teaspoon of distilled water and baking soda. Work to create the right consistency by adding water or baking soda as needed.

Then smear the paste on your fixtures. Gently apply pressure with a microfiber cloth as you wipe the paste away.

If you have stubborn stains, wrap your microfiber cloth around the end of your spatula. Then secure the loth with a rubber band to create a handled scouring pad. You can gain leverage this way and apply pressure to difficult spots while not scratching the chrome finish.

Once you’ve cleaned your fixtures, rinse off the excess paste and residue with the remaining distilled water. Remember that tap water created the water stains, so do not use it to rinse off the baking soda.

Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to buff the chrome and sparkling clean.

Cleaning Bathroom Fixtures With Synthetics

Natural cleaners may work well, but sometimes you just want the synthetics that you know will do the job. You do not have to break the bank on expensive cleaners. Instead, you need a few basics.

Bar Keepers Friend

Bar Keepers Friend is a soft cleansing liquid made especially for delicate surfaces like bathroom chrome. It safely removes mineral deposits, water spots, and soap scum from dull fixtures.

To use this chemical, squirt a small amount onto a damp, soft cloth. Then work the cleanser into the chrome, moving in circular motions. Use a toothbrush to scrub at the hard-to-reach spots.

Once you’ve finished scrubbing, use distilled water to rinse off the fixtures. Dry and buff your fixtures with a dry microfiber cloth for a beautiful finish.

Soap and Water

Basic soap and distilled water work on hard water spots and streaks as well. Use a dry microfiber cloth to keep your fixtures clean daily. Keep it in a drawer in the bathroom so you can just go about the routine of spot cleaning the fixtures.

When you need to complete a weekly cleaning, dilute a couple of drops of dishwashing soap into distilled water. Then use a microfiber cloth to scrub away at your fixtures. The soap will scrub out the stains and spots on the fixtures.

Prevent Damage

Whenever you work with chrome, use gentle hands. Remember that chrome is a soft metal. You cannot attack it with steel wool.

Rather, you should use gentle chemicals and soft cleaning tools. When you lose patience and want to break out the commercial cleanser, read the directions. Make sure the cleanser suits chrome fixtures and won’t damage your investment.

Keep Your Bathroom Shiny

Chrome bathroom fixtures create the accent piece that sets a bathroom out. You can keep your chrome fixtures clean by using basic cleaners and household products along with a little bit of elbow grease. Always have a microfiber cloth handy along with baking soda, vinegar, and lemons to keep those fixtures shiny.

Are you currently remodeling your bathroom? Do you need to replace your fixtures or even your entire bathroom? We can help.

We carry a vast supply of luxurious fixtures that will up your bathroom game. We have everything you need for a minor or major bathroom remodel. Contact Hanover Supply today.

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