Be sure to avoid using acid, alcohol, or solvent-based cleaners. These types of cleaners can ruin or discolor the more delicate surface of the brushed nickel finish. Vinegar is a popular faucet cleaning solution, but should be avoided on brushed nickel.
How can I clean spots on a tarnished, brushed nickel mirror frame? Use a soft cloth, wet or dry, and some elbow grease. If that doesn't work, use a 50/50 vinegar and water mixture. Wipe down the frame with the solution using cotton wool or a toothbrush.
Directions for Cleaning Brushed Nickel Fixtures:
Spray Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner onto the surface. Scrub. Use a wet, soft toothbrush to scrub, paying close attention to crevices. Rinse.
Vinegar can damage the finish if you allow it to soak on the metal, so wipe it clean right away. Avoid using any harsh cleaners or abrasive pads that can scratch the finish of your polished nickel.
Clean with vinegar: Cleaning with vinegar is an effective way to lift grease. Either soak a clean soft cloth and wring out any excess before rubbing the tarnished areas, or make a warm water and vinegar solution to soak larger items in for 30 minutes or so before thoroughly rinsing.
Be sure to avoid using acid, alcohol, or solvent-based cleaners. These types of cleaners can ruin or discolor the more delicate surface of the brushed nickel finish. Vinegar is a popular faucet cleaning solution, but should be avoided on brushed nickel.
Prolonged exposure to vinegar will damage chrome finishes by eating the finish right off of your fixtures.
If you're looking for an easy, cost-effective way to remove nickel plating from metals, vinegar is the answer! Vinegar is a reliable and non-toxic solution that can remove nickel plating from metal surfaces.
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.
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.
TIP: Once a month, spread a layer of paste wax onto the surface using a soft, dry cloth. Apply in small, circular motions. After you've covered the entire surface, buff it out with a new cloth. Paste wax is generally made from mineral spirits, which makes it gentle on brushed nickel finishes.
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.
To keep your Polished Nickel fittings looking shiny we recommend polishing with a proprietary brand of silver polish (we use Autosol or Silvo which are generally available from local DIY stores).
For a brushed finish, this can typically be accomplished with simple household items like baking soda, flour, or vinegar. You can apply these products to any stainless steel piece to give it a quick yet effective polish, though it might take a little elbow grease to get the exact look you're going for.
The nickel will not dissolve very well if at all in the vinegar without special help and adding hydrogen peroxide will destroy your electrolyte.
Because it's acidic, prolonged exposure to vinegar can damage the finish of chrome, brass, or nickel showerheads. Don't soak these finishes in vinegar for longer than recommended. What does calcium buildup on a shower head look like? Calcium buildup on a shower head will look like a white, crusty substance.
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.
Acid based cleaners will eat away at a coin's surface diminishing its value. According to research professor Vinod Patel, washing coins with natural white vinegar and iodized salt in distilled water is a non destructive way of cleaning coins.
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. Acidic substances left on the nickel finish for extended periods of time may leave a slight dark mark, but this is easily removed with a chrome polish.
Cleaning the knives with vinegar can damage the finish on knives and leave the edge pitted, warns Jim Nanni, head of appliance testing for CR. Other common metals in the kitchen that you should keep away from vinegar include aluminum and copper.
Hydrogen oxide (separately, a great cleaning agent and antiseptic), if mixed with vinegar, creates peracetic acid, as vinegar contains acetic acid. This combination of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide is potentially toxic and corrosive, which can break down or damage the surface it is applied to.
It's important to note that some metals, like aluminium, react differently with vinegar than others, like steel or iron. Aluminium objects should be scrubbed with baking soda instead of vinegar for best results; otherwise, they may discolour due to long exposure times in an acidic environment.
Rinsing is not necessary! If you're simply using a vinegar and water solution to wipe and disinfect, you won't need to rinse. However, if there's also plenty of dirt and grime you're wiping away, you may also want to rinse with some extra water.
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.
Vinegar can eat away at metal and cause it to corrode quickly if even the tiniest amount gets left on the surface. Other recommendations advise wiping down with warm water and dish soap, but this can often leave a stubborn white film on your otherwise sparkling chrome.