The Best Cleaning Products to Use on Kitchen & Bathroom Fixtures
Many people have a go-to cleaning product that they use on pretty much anything that has collected dirt and grime. However, not all surfaces are the same, and using the wrong products can actually ruin them over time. When cleaning kitchen and bathroom fixtures, for example, it’s important choose your product based on the finish of the fixture.
At Central Plumbing Specialties, we know fixtures like no one else because this is what we specialize in! Here are our recommendations for cleaning kitchen and bathroom fixtures with a variety of different finishes.
Chrome & Nickel Finishes
Chrome and nickel look stunning in bathrooms and kitchens, and fortunately, these finishes are also easy to keep clean. You can simply pour some white vinegar on a cloth to remove dirt, residue, and fingerprints from the faucet and hardware. Let the vinegar sit for a few minutes for hard-to-remove stains. A dry microfiber cloth is great for polishing the faucets and getting them to look brand new again.
Stainless Steel & Copper Finishes
Stainless steel and copper are also easy finishes to clean in the kitchen and bathroom. One of the most interesting, yet effective, cleaners for these surfaces is cola. If you can spare some Coke or Pepsi from your fridge, pour some on a cloth and apply to the fixtures. Allow it to sit for a few minutes and then rinse off with pure water. Cola is acidic enough to remove tarnishes, but not as harmfully acidic as commercial cleaning products. For stainless steel shower heads, you can place a plastic bag filled with white vinegar over the showerhead and secure it with a rubber band before turning on the shower and rinsing away the grime. Finish your cleaning chore off by polishing the showerhead with a dry microfiber cloth.
Oil-rubbed Bronze & Brass Finishes
Bronze and brass are more prone to tarnishing compared to the other metals mentioned here, but that doesn’t mean they’re difficult to clean. One homemade cleaning solution that works involves mixing vinegar, all-purpose flour, and salt in equal parts and applying to fixtures with a damp cloth.
If your kitchen or bathroom fixtures have “living finishes,” meaning that they change naturally with age, it’s best to clean those surfaces with pure water. Cleansers can damage specialty surfaces, so always test a new product on a small portion of the underside of a fixture before spreading it liberally.
Acrylic Finishes
If your plumbing fixtures are made from acrylic, remember that less is always best for the best results. Try using a soft brush with warm water first, or perhaps a solution of water and vineyard for mineral deposits. Make sure to read product labels before using a commercial cleaning product because some brands specify that they are not safe to use on acrylic surfaces. You should avoid using products with ammonia on acrylic as well.
Cleaning Products to Avoid on Fixtures
As a general rule, acid-based cleaners and certain chemical drain cleaners should be avoided when cleaning kitchen and bathroom fixtures. It’s often adequate and even advantageous to use natural products to clean your fixtures rather than harsh chemical compounds. Not only will you preserve the longevity of your fixtures, but you’ll save your skin and nails too!
General Fixture Cleaning Tips
Clean and sparkling bathroom and kitchen plumbing fixtures look beautiful in any home. As a general rule, always use the soft side of sponges rather than the abrasive side when cleaning fixtures to avoid scratches. When in doubt, simple soap and warm water will often do the trick for cleaning fixtures. Baking soda on an old toothbrush is also an effective way to scrub around the corners of your fixtures and remove bad stains. You should also know that the cleaning products you use could potentially void your fixtures’ warranty protection. If you have recently remodeled your kitchen or bathroom, read the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning for your particular fixture finish.