How to Clean Chrome: Bathroom and Kitchen Guide

Home Home & Living Cleaning & Organizing Cleaning Tips

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Chrome fixtures have a beautiful shine when they’re clean, making your bathroom and kitchen glisten. But chrome is also prone to showing fingerprints and water spots if not cared for properly. If you’ve ever seen a chrome fixture that looks splotchy and corroded, it’s probably been cleaned with the wrong product—when it comes to chrome, just say no to bleach! Here’s how to clean chrome so every chrome fixture in your house sparkles.

The best way to clean a chrome faucet is with simple soap and water. Fill the sink with warm water and a couple drops of dishwashing detergent (powdered Tide works great too). Dip a microfiber cloth in the soapy water and wipe down the faucet thoroughly. Don’t use an abrasive sponge, as it can scratch the chrome (one of many bathroom cleaning mistakes). Then repeat with a damp cloth to rinse. After cleaning, polish the faucet with Windex or a faucet wax to add extra shine.

To remove water spots and calcium build-up while cleaning chrome shower heads, the best solution is vinegar. Fill a quart-size plastic bag with about a cup of vinegar. Carefully lift the bag of vinegar and place it over your shower head so it’s completely submerged in the liquid. Use a rubber band (or several, if needed) to secure the bag to the shower head. Let it soak for at least an hour. Remove the bag and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

Don’t forget these other shower cleaning hacks.

The chrome towel bars in your bathroom collect dust, fingerprints and sometimes even rust due to the moisture in the air. If you see rust, squirt a little Bar Keeper’s Friend Soft Cleanser onto a clean microfiber cloth. Use a circular motion to gently scrub. The mildly abrasive cleaner is effective at removing rust stains without damaging the chrome.

After removing any rust, wipe the towel bar with a microfiber cloth and the same soapy water you used for your faucet. Polish with Windex and a dry paper towel.

Here’s how to clean the rest of the bathroom.

If you haven’t looked up at your chrome light fixtures lately, they’re probably due for a cleaning. The heat from the bulbs can bake on dust, creating a stubborn film that can’t be removed with a dry cloth or feather duster.

Turn off the light, then create a cleaning mixture. We recommend water and a couple drops of dish soap, or a solution of equal parts vinegar and water—either one works great. Dip the microfiber cloth in the cleaning solution, squeeze out excess liquid, then thoroughly wipe down the fixture. To finish, polish the chrome and glass parts of the fixture with Windex and a paper towel.

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Chrome fixtures can become discolored, scratched or splotchy if you use the wrong products. Here are a few to avoid.