How to Clean Bathroom and Kitchen Sink Faucets

Table of Contents

• Why It's Important to Clean Faucets
• Supplies Needed
• Cleaning Steps
• Wipe Down with Plain Water or Mild Dish Soap
• Treat Stubborn Grime with Vinegar
• Scrub Crevices with Toothbrush
• Remove Hard Water Stains
• Special Tips for Different Faucet Finishes
• Chrome
• Stainless Steel
• Nickel
• Oil-Rubbed Bronze
• Copper
• Venetian Bronze
• Brass
• When to Call a Plumber
• Conclusion

Keeping your bathroom and kitchen faucets sparkling clean is an important part of maintaining a sanitary and attractive home. Over time, grime, soap scum, mineral deposits, and bacteria can build up on the surface and crevices of faucets, making them appear dirty and unsightly. Fortunately, with the right cleaning solutions and techniques, you can easily remove built-up gunk and restore the shine to your faucets.

Why It's Important to Clean Faucets

Dirty faucets aren't just unsightly, they can also be a haven for germs and bacteria. Your bathroom and kitchen faucets see a lot of hand contact throughout the day. Bacteria from unwashed hands can quickly accumulate on faucet handles and spouts. A recent study found that bathroom faucets harbor more bacteria than other fixtures, like toilet seats.

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To prevent the spread of illness and maintain good hygiene, it's recommended to clean your faucets at least once a week. Give them a deep clean by scrubbing away grime, disinfecting surfaces, and removing hard water stains and soap scum buildup.

Supplies Needed

Cleaning faucets requires just a few basic supplies that you may already have on hand:

• Wet and dry cleaning cloths
• Dish soap
• White vinegar
• Non-abrasive cleaners like Barkeeper's Friend Cleanser and Polish or Lysol Basin Tub and Tile Cleaner
• Old toothbrush

It's also a good idea to have clean microfiber cloths that won't leave behind lint. You'll want to avoid using abrasive sponges or scrub brushes that could scratch faucet finishes.

Cleaning Steps

Follow these simple steps for cleaning your bathroom and kitchen faucets:

1. Wipe Down with Plain Water or Mild Dish Soap

For routine cleaning, start by wiping down the faucet and handles using a wet cleaning cloth with just water. You can also use a small amount of mild dish soap diluted in warm water.

Wipe in the direction of the grain lines if there are any visible. Give extra attention to handles, spout, and the area where the faucet meets the sink or counter.

After cleaning, rinse thoroughly with a wet cloth and wipe dry with a soft towel. The goal is to remove dirt, oils, soap film, and other debris.

2. Treat Stubborn Grime with Vinegar

If basic cleaning doesn't remove all the grime, reach for the vinegar. White vinegar is a natural cleaning powerhouse that can dissolve mineral deposits, soap scum, and stubborn grease.

Make a solution by mixing equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Dip a clean cloth into the solution and wipe down the faucet. You can also pour some of the vinegar solution directly onto tough stains.

Let the vinegar sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a soft brush or sponge. Then rinse thoroughly. The vinegar smell will quickly dissipate.

3. Scrub Crevices with Toothbrush

One of the trickiest areas to clean on faucets is the small crevices where the faucet hardware meets the sink or countertop. Grime loves to hide in these narrow cracks.

That's where an toothbrush comes in handy. Dip the toothbrush in your vinegar cleaning solution and use the bristles to scrub inside crevices and along the edges. This will lift up stubborn gunk.

Rinse thoroughly afterwards. You can also use this toothbrush technique with dish soap and warm water.

4. Remove Hard Water Stains

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Does your faucet have white, chalky mineral deposits from hard water? These stains can be tough to remove.

Bust through the buildup with a non-abrasive cleanser like Soft Scrub with Bleach or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Power. Use an old toothbrush or a microfiber cloth to gently apply the cleanser to stained areas.

Let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. Rinse and dry the faucet well. Repeat if needed for stubborn stains.

Be sure to test cleansers first on a small, inconspicuous part of the faucet to ensure it doesn't damage the finish. Avoid using abrasive scouring powders or creams.

Special Tips for Different Faucet Finishes

Discover the right cleaning method for your faucets based on their unique finishes. Learn how to maintain a sparkling shine with our expert tips.

Chrome faucet

Chrome is the most common faucet finish. It's durable and easy to clean with dish soap, vinegar, and water.

For extra shine, polish chrome faucets with a small amount of baby oil on a soft cloth. The oil helps seal microscopic pores to prevent water spots.

Stainless Steel

Like chrome, stainless steel can be cleaned with mild dish soap and water. For water spots and mineral buildup, use a stainless steel cleaner or a paste of baking soda and water.

Avoid abrasive pads or paper towels that could scratch the brushed finish. Always rub gently in the direction of the grain.

Nickel

Nickel finishes are prone to water spotting. Clean with dish soap and water, rinse thoroughly, and make sure to dry completely with a soft towel.

For hard water stains, try distilled white vinegar. Test first on an inconspicuous area.

Oil-Rubbed Bronze

This dark bronze finish is designed to gently age and patina over time. Stick to mild dish soap and water for cleaning. Don't use abrasives or harsh chemicals that could strip off the patina.

Copper

Like bronze, unlacquered copper will naturally patina as it ages. For regular cleaning, wipe with a damp microfiber cloth and avoid abrasive cleaners.

To polish away tarnish, use a copper cleaner or homemade paste of lemon juice, salt and flour. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.

Venetian Bronze

This speckled finish has a dark bronze base with gold, silver or copper undertones. Use mild dish soap and water. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scrubbing to prevent removing the finish.

Brass

For routine cleaning of unlacquered brass, use mild dish soap and water. Rinse and dry thoroughly afterwards.

To remove tarnish, use a brass cleaner or make a paste with equal parts vinegar, salt and flour. Rub gently with a soft cloth.

When to Call a Plumber

If you notice leaks, sputtering or other problems when operating your faucet, it likely needs repair from a professional plumber. Don't try to fix it yourself by taking the faucet apart.

Hard water deposits that can't be removed may also require the services of a plumber. They have special tools and acid solutions for deliming clogged faucet parts.

Occasionally check your faucet supply lines and drainage pipes for cracks or corrosion. Address any issues before they turn into leaks.

Conclusion

Dirty, grimy faucets are magnets for bacteria and can make your whole kitchen or bathroom look grungy. Luckily, with some simple cleaning techniques and products you likely already have on hand, you can restore the shine and sanitation of your fixtures.

Focus on using mild dish soap, vinegar, non-abrasive cleaners and scrubbing with an old toothbrush to target grime in hard-to-reach spots. Pay attention to the type of finish your faucets have and avoid harsh chemicals or scrubbing that could damage the surface.

Taking a few minutes each week to wipe down your faucets prevents buildup and keeps them looking like new. Maintaining clean faucets is a small task that makes a big difference in the look and sanitation of your home.

Disclaimer

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