Installing brushed nickel fixtures in your bathroom gives it a more polished and upgraded look. However, this upgrade comes at a cost because nickel fixtures are quite delicate and prone to spots. So, how should you clean your nickel fixtures to prevent stain tarnish and not damage them in the process?
The key to successfully cleaning and maintaining your brushed nickel fixtures is to use the right cleaning solution. Failure to do so will result in early damage or darkening of the surface of your fixtures. The most suitable cleaning solution for nickel bathroom fixtures is a non-abrasive liquid agent.
Nickel bathroom fixtures require regular cleaning to keep smudge, soap dross, and hard water spots off. In this article, I’ll provide a detailed step-by-step guide on how you can care for your freshly installed fixtures for optimum satisfaction.
Steps to Clean Your Brushed Nickel Bathroom Fixtures
Contents
The steps below should help you get started:
Get Your Cleaning Materials
You need to know the cleaning solution you can use when cleaning your brushed nickel bathroom fixtures. Also, avoid harsh cleaners so you don’t damage your newly installed bathroom fixtures. Most of them come with a limited warranty.
You may risk forfeiting these products’ warranty if you apply caustic or acidic cleaning solutions to them. Please take note of the warranty information on your new bathroom fixtures and their recommended cleaning solutions.
The simplest and easiest cleaning agent for your brushed nickel bathroom fixtures is a non-abrasive dish wash.
You could add a little baking soda and/or vinegar to your cleaning solution for hard stains or calcium clumps. They’ll help make the cleaning solution more effective for tough grime.
Mix 2 tablespoons of the distilled vinegar in one cup of water. Afterward, pour the mixture into a spray bottle for safe and easy application. Gather other items listed above, and place them on the bathroom floor close to you for quick access.
Apply the Right Cleaning Solution
It’s advisable to use warm water when cleaning brushed nickel fixtures rather than cold water. Coldwater can’t penetrate mineral dross, neither will it disintegrate them for fast removal like warm water. Continue by pouring a tiny amount of mild dish wash into the spray bottle, then add water to the brim.
Wet a soft clean cloth or rag with the solution, and then wipe down your bathroom fixtures with it. If the stains aren’t coming off, you’ll need to add baking soda or vinegar. Spray some vinegar solutions over the stains and let them sit for about three to six minutes.
Ensure the vinegar does not stay on your fixtures beyond 25 minutes, as this can tarnish the fixtures if repeated over time. Instead, wipe over the towel line surface, and travel down the bathtub nickel fixtures. If there are still unwilling stains after cleaning with vinegar, you may have to add baking soda.
Get ¼ of tap water and pour one tablespoon of baking soda into it. Mix them to form a paste, and then gently rub it on the fixtures using a small piece of clean cloth.
You can leave the paste on your fixture for about three to five minutes to allow it to penetrate the stain.
Gently Scrub All Corners of the Fixtures
Make sure you wipe the fixture’s entire surface and bends, especially areas where water settles. To clean those small corners between your nickel fixtures well, you might want to use a toothbrush for better access. Also, use a small brush to scrub off dirt between the slots in the sink and bathtub drain area.
It’s not advisable to scrub your brushed nickel bathroom fixtures with hard tools like rigid-bristle brushes or scouring pads. However, it could help make the toothbrush more effective if you rinse it inside water before use. Remember, your brushed nickel needs to be handled carefully because of its delicate design.
Also, to maintain the brand-new look of your fixtures, you’d want to avoid using tools that could graze the body. If you spot mounds of soap dross proving difficult to come off, try using a dryer sheet to scrub them. Using both hands, rub it against your fixtures in a sideways movement to help file out the dross stains.
However, dryer sheets should be used after applying your cleaning solution. If you are worried about friction when using the sheets, add a few drops of olive oil to the fixture’s surface. After that, clean your nickel bathroom fixtures again with the mild dish wash.
Rinse Cleaning Solution Properly
After cleaning all the bathroom fixtures well, the next step is to rinse off the cleaning liquid. Use a wet clean cloth or rag to wipe the cleaning solution off each fixture. If your shower arm is detachable, remove it and clean the tub faucet.
Leftover residue from the vinegar could tarnish the fixtures. So wipe over each nickel fixture properly to ensure you clean all traces of vinegar and soap from it.
Dry The Fixtures
After cleaning, there’s no need to wax the brushed nickel fixtures because their surface is matte. All you need to do is wipe each fixture dry with a clean, dry piece of cloth. This will help remove other lingering oil particles, grime, and fingerprints left on the fixtures.
The last step is to let your nickel fixtures dry for about an hour or two. Now you’ve got your brushed nickel bathroom fixtures looking sparkling clean and set for use!
For extra care with your bathroom fixtures, apply a water softener to reduce the water stains. A water softener will help to make your water clean by removing hard minerals and impurities from it. This way, you’ll ensure your water is clean before rushing out from the faucet.
You’d need the following supplies to clean your brushed nickel bathroom fixtures effectively:
- Dryer sheet
- Non-abrasive cleaner
- Two clean cloths
- Disposable toothbrush
- Vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Mild dish wash
- Baking soda
Precautions for Brushed Nickel Fixtures
Like most regular metals, your brushed nickel fixtures can taint or darken if exposed to oxygen and moisture over time. However, you can prevent this unpleasant sight by taking adequate care of your fixtures and following the safety measures below.
- Don’t harshly scrub your nickel fixtures. They are quite delicate and so require gentle treatment.
- Keep away from using acidic cleaning solutions like bleach, and avoid solutions that contain ammonia or alcohol.
- Use non-abrasive cleaners and clean, soft cloths so you don’t tamper with the overall look of your bathroom fixtures.
- Don’t keep acidic materials on your fixtures for an extended period, as this can darken the body.
- Make sure you wipe your nickel fixtures dry after each clean-up. Remnants of baking soda and vinegar particles on them can annul all your cleaning efforts. You are trying to maintain the fixtures and not cause further damage.
- Ensure not to leave fabrics that absorb water inside your sink, so they don’t spot or discolor your brushed nickel.
Bear in mind that keeping your brushed nickel bathroom fixtures in good condition is what guarantees satisfaction. Following the simple steps and preventive measures in this article will help keep your brand-new nickel installments durable.
