On a bathroom faucet, besides cleaner residue, you also have to worry about spatter from toothpaste, acne medicine and mouthwash. These often contain ingredients such as baking soda, peroxide, sodium fluoride or phosphates, which can damage faucet finishes when they are left in contact with the metal for long periods.
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.
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.
Spray a soft cloth with a mixture consisting of equal parts water and vinegar. Use the cloth to scrub away heavy water stains on the nickel finish, or to remove built up dirt.
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).
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.
Since these usually has water deposits, softer cleaners like Bon-Ami, Barkeeper's Friend, Zud or Soft Scrub might be good. Again – beware of anything that is made for harder substances like tile or flooring. #4 – Do not use scratch-pad sponges like Brillo or steel wool.
Don't use steel wool or scratch-pad sponges on brushed nickel. Don't use bleach, oven cleaner, rust cleaner or toilet cleaner on your brushed nickel.
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.
Prolonged exposure to vinegar will damage chrome finishes by eating the finish right off of your fixtures.
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.
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.
While brushed nickel may not be one of the top finishes for 2023, it is certainly a safe option that will not require updating any time soon. Get more home decor tips here.
Neutral color schemes, such as ivory, light brown, beige or slate, blend well with brushed nickel fixtures and create a soft yet contemporary effect.
Moen suggests the periodic application of a quality non-abrasive wax, such as car wax or furniture wax, especially for matte or textured finishes (e.g., Brushed Nickel, Classic Brushed Nickel, Brushed Gold, Classic Stainless, Satine and Stainless). Wax will result in a slight color change, but will not harm the finish.
The easiest way to clean a showerhead is to use a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap. The combination of slightly basic baking soda and acidic vinegar creates an effective cleaning solution for your showerhead. And the addition of a small amount of dish soap increases its cleaning power even more.
If you don't have vinegar on hand, you can clean your showerhead with baking soda. Make a paste with baking soda and water and apply it directly to the showerhead. Let the paste sit for about 30 minutes, then scrub with a wet toothbrush.
Soda – pour a can of soda into a plastic bag. Attach the plastic bag over the shower head by using a rubber band to hold it in place. Wait 30 minutes for the soda to work its magic. After 30 minutes, remove the rubber band and remove the bag.
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.
Never employ an abrasive cloth, pad, or scrubber. A 50-50 solution of water and white distilled vinegar will tackle hard water stains or other difficult-to-remove spots. Toothpaste, soap scum, or salt are some things that can affect nickel's finish but can be cleaned with relative ease.
It is important to note that brushed nickel does not tarnish easily. However, when it does, brushed nickel tarnishes faster when compared to polished chrome, especially when the fixtures are not maintained.
Brushed nickel gets its slightly matte appearance from being treated with a wire brush. We're seeing more and more clients navigate towards a brushed nickel finish, and for good reason. This finish has a luxurious, almost hand-crafted aesthetic that hides water spots and fingerprints well.
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.
A brushed or satin nickel faucet will blend in with a stainless steel sink much the way a stainless steel faucet would. They usually have a more muted finish than stainless steel and don't show water spots as easily.