The brushed nickel faucet can add an elegant flair to any basin while being slightly more subdued compared to polished metals. However, the matte finish of brushed nickel faucets will require a bit more maintenance than your standard stainless steel tap.
Several elements can deteriorate the quality of brushed nickel, and it is vital to know each one to take the necessary steps in caring for brushed nickel faucets. In this article, we will be giving you some tips on how to clean and maintain your fancy brushed nickel faucet.
Tips on Cleaning Brushed Nickel Faucets
While brushed nickel won’t need as much cleaning as chrome faucets, it will still need regular cleaning and maintenance from hard water stains and soap scum. Also, it is best to understand nickel requires a specific method of cleaning compared to stainless steel, brass, or chrome.
For starters, here are cleaning tools that you should avoid using when cleaning your luxury brushed nickel faucet:
- Never use highly abrasive cleaners such as metal scouring pads and or harsh cleaning powder like Comet.
- Never use bleach on brushed nickels.
- Never use products designed as anti-rust and tarnish removal.
- Neve uses alcohol-based or solvent-based cleaners.
While these products are effective cleaning agents, using them on nickel will damage the brushed matte surface and ruin its aesthetic quality.
Now that you know what cleaning tools to avoid, here are effective ways on how to safely and adequately clean brushed nickel:
- Use dishwashing detergents to clean brushed nickel faucets—the less thick the detergent, the better.
- You can also use the always reliable WD40 with a clean cloth or sponge to restore the brushed nickel’s signature matte finish.
- For tough-to-remove stains, use window glass cleaner and wipe it off using cotton balls. Take a piece of cloth and dampen it before wiping your brushed nickel tap for light stains.
- Additionally, you can also use the proven DIY cleaning solution of diluted vinegar to clean this type of faucet.
- Remember to apply paste wax on the brushed nickel once a month to help it maintain its exceptional finish.
How to Remove Rust from Brushed Nickel?
Now, what if it’s been a while since you correctly cleaned your brushed nickel faucet and corrosion has already set it. Is there a way to remove the unattractive rust that pretty much ruined the brushed nickel’s signature aesthetic charm?
The answer is, fortunately, yes. There are methods for removing that pesky rust from brushed nickel, but the way to handle it requires a tad bit more delicacy than usual. The reason for this extra care is that your typical rust removal product might be too harsh on the brushed nickel and may damage the material’s finish further. As such, the anti-corrosion technique that works on the other types of faucets may not deliver the same results with brushed nickel.
So, to help you with this bit of problem, here is the step by step guide on how to remove rust from brushed nickel faucets:
Step 1: Applying the Right Cleaning Solutions
When removing rust from brushed nickel, the best cleaning solutions to use are mild detergents and multipurpose house cleaning products. First, pour the appropriate amount on a lint-free microfiber cloth and thoroughly rub the rusted area. You can also use a soft-bristle brush if dealing with encrusted rust or mineral deposits. Afterward, rinse the area thoroughly and dry it with a cloth.
Step 2: Preparing the Rust Removal Mixture
One of the best rust removals for brushed nickel isn’t some high-quality product that you can get at the store. Instead, the diluted vinegar mixture is the most reliable DIY cleaning solution. Take one part of warm water and mix it with one-part vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray this solution on the rusted area of the brushed nickel and let it sit for at least six hours.
Once done, repeat step number one.
Step 3: Removing Extra Tough Rust
If step one and step two did not do the job, an alternative is to soak a piece of cloth in undiluted vinegar and place it on top of the rusted area of your faucet. Let it sit there for about six to eight hours, and then repeat step one.
Step 5: If All Else Fails…
If the rust is still there, the last option available would be to contact the manufacturer of your brushed nickel faucet and ask them what rust removal product they recommend.
Conclusion
Of all of the different bathroom fixture finishes, brushed nickel faucet is one of its signatures looks. Taking care of its appearance should be something you should invest in. Using the wrong cleaning methods will remove the brushed nickel finish and pretty much reduce the faucet’s aesthetic value. Hopefully, our article here helps clear things up regarding caring for brushed nickel faucets.