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.
Don't use abrasive, alcohol-based, acid or solvent-based cleaners on brushed nickel. These cleaners can damage the finish. Although vinegar does contain acid, you can dilute it for use on stubborn mineral deposits if other methods haven't worked. Do this carefully and by testing an inconspicuous area first.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
My Greener Living — Cleaning with Bar Keeper's Friend
“On my kitchen sink, I have a brushed nickel faucet, handle, and soap dispenser. These get a lot of water spots on them when I am washing dishes. Just a little Bar Keeper's friend on a damp cloth will polish the kitchen faucet and accessories very well.”
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.
The main disadvantage of brushed nickel is that it is difficult to match to other fixtures. Because the process of making brushed nickel involves etching it with a wire brush, you may not be able to find the exact same finish in all of your finishing touches for your bathroom.
A baking soda paste—made by adding a few drops of water to baking soda and mixing it until it for—can help scrub away hard water stains. Apply it directly to the hard water stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then use a bristled brush to gently scrub away the stain. Flush the area with water.
If your nickel-plated item has stains that won't come off with soap and water alone, try using baking soda or white vinegar as an abrasive cleaner. Sprinkle some baking soda onto dampened cloth or sponge (or saturate it in white vinegar) and gently rub the area affected by stains until they vanish.
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.
Use a vinegar and baking soda paste to scrub.
If you want a little extra oomph (and don't we all?), make a vinegar and baking soda paste as you might have already for your shower and tub, and use a scrub brush, old toothbrush or rag to scrub your fixtures. They'll be gleaming by the time you're done.
BKF cleans and polishes most hard, nonporous surfaces. However, never use BKF on the following: cast iron, granite, marble, wood, fabric, leather, or painted surfaces. Although many of our fans have used BKF on mirrors, gold, and silver (sterling silver is OK), we advise against it.
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.
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.
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.
Scrubbing Bubbles can cause discoloration to some plastics, so while it can be used on the exterior of the toilet and the seat, you're better off sticking with the Windex Multi Surface Cleaner for those parts.
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.