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. Spray the vinegar on a clean, lint-free cloth, then buff.
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.
Regular cleaning with mild soapy water and a non-abrasive cloth is recommended, particularly for pieces used externally, to remove build-up on the surface of the finish.
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.
You can clean and polish nickel with any kind of glass cleaner.
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.”
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.
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).
Remove hard water stains with a vinegar solution.
To tackle this problem, mix equal parts water and white vinegar. Dip a cloth in the solution. Lay the cloth on the stains or deposits and let it sit there for five minutes. Wipe the area when the five minutes are up.
Is vinegar safe for polished nickel? Vinegar can be really effective on nickel plating, just be sure to not soak any items in neat vinegar as this will be too corrosive.
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.
Nickel plating is a very shiny metal, but the brushing removes any natural shine. Still, brushed nickel will be shinier than a satin nickel finish. ECF is able to create a brush pattern on both metal and plastic substrates.
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.
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.
For items fitted outside if you start to see pitting marks in the nickel a metal polish such as “Brasso” or “Peek” can be used to polish the layer of nickel. Regular cleaning to remove dirt, finger prints and water marks will ensure your Polished Nickel products will last for a very long time.
#2 Tends to tarnish faster than polished chrome
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.
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.
Considering the fact that melamine foam pads can tackle anything from scruffs on walls to stovetops, it's no surprise that these petite powerhouses can also burn your skin. Make sure always to wear a pair of gloves while using your magic eraser, and never ever use it directly on your skin.
Magic Erasers don't magically erase everything — here's where not to use them: Shiny painted, enameled, sealed, or varnished surfaces. Magic Eraser can strip away the finish.
Magic Erasers are abrasive and shouldn't be used on wood or any high gloss surface, including countertops, because they can dull the finish.
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.
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.