Fill a small bowl with one part white vinegar and three parts water. Use a fresh microfiber cloth to thoroughly wipe down the fixture. The white vinegar can help restore shine to the finish, and also descale any remaining buildup.
Cleaning Nickel with Mild Soap
To do this, mix some mild dish soap with warm water until it forms a sudsy solution. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and use it to wipe down the entire surface of your nickel item. Pay special attention to any areas where dirt or grime has built up over time.
Start with warm soapy water: Use this with a soft cleaning cloth or a very soft toothbrush to remove greasy prints and tarnished areas from nickel coated items. Ensure you run larger items under hot water to remove all soap residue and dry thoroughly with a separate clean soft cloth.
Pour your coins into one bowl and fill with cold water until the money is well covered. In the other bowl, pour about 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Dip the toothbrush into the bowl of baking soda and scrub the coins. The baking soda should remove any dirt and grime and won't scratch the metal.
Directions for Cleaning Brushed Nickel Faucets:
of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner to 1 cup of water in an empty spray bottle. Apply. Spray the solution onto the brushed nickel surface and let it sit for a minute or so. Scrub.
Avoid using any harsh cleaners or abrasive pads that can scratch the finish of your polished nickel. You can use glass cleaner as long as you do not allow the cleaners to soak on the polished nickel.
Avoid bleach. Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol or ammonia to clean brushed nickel. Abrasives should never be used as they may affect the finish.
Simply mix baking soda with water until it forms a paste, then apply it directly onto the rusty surface using a damp cloth. Rub it gently in circular motions until all of the rust has been removed, then rinse off with clean water and dry thoroughly.
Easier To Clean
You only need a soft cloth to clean brushed nickel. It's easier to keep clean because you can't see smudges and fingerprints as brushed nickel hides smudges. Do not under any circumstances use abrasive cleaners.
Is the CLR product nickel safe? We do not recommend that CLR products be used on any metals except for chrome or stainless steel. Any 'polished' finish usually has a coating and most nickel materials are combination metals (containing zinc) and CLR products could compromise the finish.
So next time you need a cost-effective way to strip nickel plating off metals without breaking the bank—remember that one simple ingredient—vinegar—is all it takes!
Wipe away any dust or debris from the handle. In the bowl, combine the water and dish soap. Ensure your dish soap is of good quality; cheaper brands may contain salt, which can encourage tarnishing. Dampen the soft cloth in the warm soapy water and rub over the handle, going from side to side and top to bottom.
Beside high-gloss surfaces, the label warns not to use the product to clean polished, brushed or satin surfaces -- such as brushed-bronze or satin-nickel faucets -- or stainless steel.
Delta®: Avoid abrasives and polishes, including bleach-based cleansers. Delta specifically states to avoid Scrubbing Bubbles, Lysol Basin Tub, Soft Scrub and Tile Cleaner (avoid on the brushed nickel – it probably works just fine on tile/tubs/sinks).
The main difference between brushed nickel and satin nickel is the apperance. Brushed nickel has a matte, dull appearance compared to satin nickel. Comparatively, satin nickel has a glossier, more lustrous finish that gives it a brighter and more modern appearance.
Don't use Vinegar or anything containing it or similarly acidic / basic on Nickel plate. Hot Soapy water first followed by metal polish if needed. Some metal polishes are abrasive so toothpaste may be of some help.
Polished Nickel is a high shine finish that is also very easy to care for. We recommend wiping your faucet or shower fixture after each use to prevent mineral and oil buildup.
Soak Parts in Vinegar
Immerse the showerhead completely in vinegar to dissolve and remaining limescale deposits. For extra cleaning power, scoop a few tablespoons of baking soda in the vinegar before soaking them. The natural abrasive will help release clogged passages. Rinse again.
Brushed nickel has a more muted, warmer tone and appearance in nature than chrome. A brushed nickel finish has a more muted texture as it is treated with a wire brush to make it matte. It tends not to show fingerprints and smudges as easily, so it is considered easier to keep clean.
Prolonged exposure to vinegar will damage chrome finishes by eating the finish right off of your fixtures.
Fill the plastic container with a 1-inch layer of warm water. Next, add a squirt of dishwashing liquid and agitate the water to create bubbles. Add the coins, and rub each one until the surface looks shiny. Rinse with warm water, then dry.
I grabbed a handful of grimy pennies and nickels, dropped them into a cup of cola and let them sit overnight. While most of them didn't return to their original shine, the black tarnish was removed from virtually every penny. However they did require a bit of polishing with a wash cloth.