Open Accessibility Menu
Hide
DIY

How to Clean Chrome Fixtures and Fittings

You put a lot of hard work into keeping your home clean, from the bathtub to the kitchen sink. However, it may seem like your efforts are wasted if the fixtures and fittings are dulled by film and debris.

Tired of spending time cleaning only to feel disappointed with the overall appearance of your hardware? Learn how to clean fixtures and fittings made of chrome with ingredients you may already have in the house.
 

How to Clean Chrome Fixtures with Lemon

Lemons can be used for a variety of cleaning purposes, so you may not be surprised to find them listed here. The next time life gives you lemons, use them to shine your chrome fixtures and faucets.

You’ll need:
 
  • Two or three lemons, halved (You may need more depending on how many fixtures you have to clean.)
  • A microfiber cloth
  1. Scrub your chrome using the pith of the lemon. It won’t hurt to apply a little pressure here.
  2. Switch to a fresh lemon as needed.
  3. If you have a lot of hard water staining or buildup, let the lemon juice sit on the fixtures for three to five minutes.
  4. Use the microfiber cloth to wipe away any juice or pith that has been left behind.
  5. Repeat as necessary until your faucets and fixtures are free of debris.

How to Clean Chrome with Baking Soda

Baking soda is notorious for its household cleaning abilities, especially when you need a little extra scrubbing power. If lemon juice doesn’t do the trick when it comes to cleaning your chrome fittings, baking soda can help you get rid of stubborn of stains.

You’ll need:
 
  • Baking soda
  • 1 gallon of distilled water
  • A microfiber cloth
  • A plastic spatula
  • A rubber band
  1. Mix together enough baking soda with about a teaspoon of distilled water to form a paste. If your paste is too thick, add more water. If it’s too runny, you’ll need to mix in a little more baking soda.
  2. Spread the baking soda paste on your fixtures.
  3. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the paste away, applying gentle pressure as you go.
  4. For tough stains and buildup, wrap your microfiber cloth around the end of the spatula and secure it with a rubber band. Use this as a scrubbing tool, but keep in mind that you still want to apply gentle pressure so you don’t scratch the finish.
  5. Rinse the remaining paste and any residue off of your fixtures with distilled water. (Applying tap water will just leave behind fresh mineral deposits.)
  6. Buff the fixtures dry with a fresh microfiber cloth.

How to Keep Chrome Clean

Once you’ve taken the time to remove those nasty streaks or hard water spots, you want to make sure your chrome stays shiny. A little maintenance can help you do just that.

You’ll need:
 
  • A dry microfiber cloth
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • 1 gallon of distilled water
  1. For daily maintenance, wipe your chrome fixtures dry with a microfiber cloth after each use. This will help prevent film and buildup from accumulating so quickly. That’s all there is to daily care. No big deal, right?
  2. For weekly maintenance, dilute a few drops of dishwashing liquid with distilled water.
  3. Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution and clean your faucets and fixtures.
  4. Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe away any remaining solution and to buff out streaks that might be left behind.

You lead a busy life and may not have a chance to stick to your daily cleaning routine, much less worry about how to clean chrome faucets and fixtures. If you need backup with housekeeping, contact your local Merry Maids. They’re happy to take care of the cleaning so that you can do the things you really enjoy.

DIY