How to Clean Chrome Fixtures

Doing a Light Cleaning

Dry wipe with a microfiber cloth. Your fixtures might have accumulated a good amount of dust over time. Dust on a regular basis and you can space out your deeper cleanings further apart. Get a microfiber cloth or duster and run it over the fixtures, applying a light amount of pressure as you go. Select a clean cloth for each new fixture. Try to avoid touching or wiping chrome fixtures with any abrasive cleaning pads, such as steel wool. This will only create scratches on the surface of the fixture.

Go over it with a dryer sheet. Dryer sheets are soft and they also contain a mild cleaning solution. Get a few dryer sheets and run them over the surface of your fixture. Apply even pressure and gently scrub on any problem areas. Dryer sheets are especially good at removing set-in soap scum. If you are looking to save money, you can use either new or used dryer sheets, too. The used sheets still retain their cleaning ability after one cycle through the dryer.

Apply cooking spray. Get a cooking spray made from vegetable or olive oil. Holding the can close to the fixture, apply a light coating of spray over the entire thing. Make sure to get the back of the fixture as well. Let it soak for a few minutes. Wipe it down with a damp microfiber cloth. Repeat as necessary. Make sure to get all of the oil off of your fixture or you could end up with an oily sludge in some areas. Use a cotton swab to get in the cracks, if necessary.

Rinse with warm water. Get a microfiber cloth or sponge. Wet it down with warm water and wring it out until damp. Wipe this over the surface of your chrome fixture. Repeat as necessary. This can be especially helpful for fixtures that are not in regular contact with water, such as the top arms of showerheads. If the fixture regularly encounters water, it will be less effective.

Use soap and water. Place dish soap into a bucket and add water until you have a soapy mixture. Dip your cloth or sponge into the mixture and apply liberally to your fixtures. Keep dipping the sponge or rag to remove any accumulated dirt and to gather additional bubbles. You can also use a toothbrush with a bit of dish soap applied to the head to scrub difficult to reach areas or stubborn stains.

Dry in small circles. If you leave moisture on the fixtures, you will likely create water spots or residue. To avoid this problem, use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe over the surface of the fixtures. Continue until all moisture is gone. You can also keep rubbing in circles until the fixtures take on that trademark shiny appearance of chrome.

Performing a Deeper Clean

Do a spot test. If you are going to use more aggressive methods to clean your fixtures, then you will want to test your cleaning solution on a small, not noticeable spot. Place your solution on this spot with a cotton swab or cotton ball and then let it soak in for a few minutes. Wipe it off with a damp cloth and look to see if any discoloration has occurred. You can also read the care instructions that came with your fixtures. This will also tell you if using a particular type of cleaner or method will void your warranty. In addition, many fixture companies, such as Kohler, offer customer care numbers that you can call with any questions. If you notice any discoloration, keep applying water and drying until it disappears.

Remove any calcium build-up. It is possible that your fixture isn’t functioning as well due to calcium build-up at the nozzle. This is especially the case when dealing with shower and sink faucets. Before you perform a surface clean, get rid of this build-up by filling a plastic baggie with one part of water and one part of CLR cleaner. Attach the baggie to the faucet spout by using a rubber band. Let it sit for two hours and then remove and rinse off the excess. Some people like to use a Magic Eraser to remove the resulting grime from the spout, but a rag or paper towel works as well.

Use fresh lemons. Grab a lemon and slice it in half. Rub the inside of the lemon against your chrome fixture. The acid in the lemon should loosen any grime or dirt. When you are finished, rinse off any residue with warm water and dry the fixture with a microfiber cloth. This cleaning method can remove difficult spots, but it is also gentle so you can use it as often as necessary.

Make a baking soda paste. If your fixture is covered in deep grime, you may need to apply a thicker and more powerful cleaner to break through it. Get a small bowl and mix together baking soda and water until you form a thick paste. Use a cloth to apply this paste all over the fixture. Rub it in and then rinse it off with water before drying.

Use vinegar. Get a bowl and add together one part warm water and one part vinegar. Dip a sponge into this solution and let it absorb until it gets damp. Then, wipe down the surface of your chrome fixtures. You can scrub with a bit more force on stubborn stained areas. Make sure to keep the vinegar-water mixture at a one-to-one ratio. Otherwise you risk diluting the vinegar to the point of losing its effectiveness.

Avoid abrasive cleaners. Make sure to avoid using any cleaning products with alcohol or ammonia on the ingredients list. These may eat through the finish of the crime and leave damage. Glass cleaners can also damage the outer chrome coating as well. When in doubt, carefully read the labels and any warnings on any commercial cleaners that you are considering using.

Maintaining the Fixtures’ Cleanliness

Clean them regularly. Try to wipe down your fixtures on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Performing a gentle wipe down will keep the dust from accumulating and creating a layer of grime. You can also dry the fixtures if you see any water spots present after a shower or bath.

Spot treat as needed. If you see a spot developing on your fixture, dip a cotton ball in a one-to-one vinegar and water mixture. Place the ball on the surface of the chrome and hold for a few minutes. Remove it and rinse with water. Repeat as necessary to remove any stains.

Apply a polish. Go to your local hardware or auto store and purchase a polish made especially for chrome. Follow the directions on the package and apply the mixture to your chrome fixtures. Make sure that you rinse the solution off thoroughly. If done properly, this will keep your fixtures shining between cleanings.

Use Rain-X. This is a cleaning product that works by creating a barrier that repels water. Spray Rain-X directly onto your chrome fixtures and wipe away any excess. You can also moisten a microfiber cloth with Rain-X and apply it that way. With either method you should get at least a few weeks of protection from water drop spotting.

Rub it with wax paper. Get a sheet of wax paper, fold it to expose the waxy side, and gently scrub the chrome. It may feel weird to polish a fixture with paper, but this really works. The wax will get lightly applied to the surface of your fixture and it will enhance the shine and help it to repel dust and dirt.