How to clean chrome in the kitchen without scratching it
To clean chrome in the kitchen, wipe it with warm water and a few drops of dish soap on a microfiber cloth, use equal parts white vinegar and water on water spots and mineral crust, rinse with a clean damp cloth, and buff it dry. Use a soft toothbrush around the base and handles. Skip steel wool, scouring powder and rough sponges, which scratch chrome plating.
Where is the chrome in a kitchen?
The faucet and its handles, the sprayer, the drain ring, cabinet pulls, appliance trim, the toe-kick on some ranges, bar stool legs, and the rails and legs of older kitchen tables and chairs. They all clean the same way.
What do you need?
- Dish soap
- White vinegar
- Microfiber cloths, at least two
- A soft toothbrush
- A small bowl of warm water
- Baking soda, for stuck-on grime
How do you clean chrome, step by step?
- Wash. Dip a microfiber cloth in warm water with a few drops of dish soap, wring it out, and wipe the chrome.
- Get the edges. Use the soft toothbrush where the faucet meets the counter, around the handles and in the seams of the sprayer.
- Treat water spots. Wipe them with equal parts white vinegar and water. For crusty buildup at the base of the faucet, wrap a vinegar-soaked cloth around it for a few minutes, then wipe.
- Rinse. Wipe with a clean cloth dampened with plain water.
- Buff dry. Use a dry microfiber cloth in small circles until it shines.
How do you get grease off chrome?
Kitchen chrome near the stove picks up a film of cooking grease. Warm soapy water usually lifts it. For stuck-on spots, make a thin paste of baking soda and water, rub it on gently with a soft cloth, rinse and dry. Don't scrub hard; the plating is thin.
How do you handle rust or pitting?
Chrome is a thin plating over another metal. When it's scratched or worn, the metal underneath can rust.
- Light rust spots: dip a small crumpled piece of aluminum foil in water and rub the spot gently. Rinse and dry. Test it on a hidden spot first.
- Pitting: small pits in old chrome won't clean out. Keep them clean and dry so they don't spread.
- Peeling or flaking plating: that's wear, not dirt. A faucet in that shape needs replacing.
What should you never use on chrome?
- Steel wool or scouring pads
- Scouring powder
- Bleach, which can discolor some finishes
- Undiluted vinegar left on for a long time
If you have a brushed nickel, matte black or other finish that looks like chrome but isn't, check the maker's care guide before using vinegar.
How do you keep chrome shiny?
Dry the faucet after you finish the dishes. Wipe the cabinet pulls weekly, since everybody touches them with wet or greasy hands. Our kitchen sink guide covers the basin under the faucet, and our bathroom chrome guide covers the taps and towel bars upstairs.
Want the kitchen cleaned for you?
Book House Cleaning online. If the faucet, pulls or appliance trim are a priority, ask about them when you book and put them in your booking notes.
FAQ
What do you clean chrome with? Warm water with a few drops of dish soap on a microfiber cloth cleans everyday grime off chrome. Rinse with a clean damp cloth and buff it dry.
How do you get water spots off a chrome faucet? Wipe the faucet with equal parts white vinegar and water, or wrap a vinegar-soaked cloth around the spotted area for a few minutes. Rinse with plain water and dry it right away.
Can you use steel wool on chrome? No. Steel wool and scouring powder scratch chrome plating, and scratches dull the finish and hold grime. For light rust on chrome, a soft crumpled piece of aluminum foil dipped in water is gentler; test it on a hidden spot first.
How do you keep chrome from spotting? Dry it after you use the sink. A quick wipe with a dry microfiber cloth stops water from drying into spots.
Book a cleaning
Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.
