How To Clean Chrome And Remove Rust And Tarnish

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Figuring out how to clean chrome is one of the most useful cleaning skills to have in your toolbox. After all, because chrome is everywhere – from kitchen pans to bathroom taps and even car bumpers and wheel rims.

Chrome is generally not too high maintenance, but it does tend to lose its sparkle quite quickly. Moreover, because it’s a soft metal, it’s prone to scratches and even rust or tarnish. This means it’s important to understand the best way to clean and maintain chrome to keep it looking its best.

You will need:

A bowl
A non-abrasive sponge or cloth
A soft, dry cloth
A bowl of warm water
Some good quality washing up liquid
A good quality kitchen cleaning spray (optional)
Kitchen roll

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How to clean chrome
1. 1
  Wipe down the surface
  
  The first step to cleaning chrome fixtures, items and surfaces is removing any loose dirt or dust by wiping down the surface with a cloth or rag.
2. 2
  Create a cleaning solution
  
  Fill your sink two thirds of the way with warm water and add a few squirts of washing up liquid, until you have a nice bubbly mixture for your chrome cleaning solution.
3. 3
  Wash the chrome
  
  Soak part of the sponge or cloth in your chrome cleaning solution and apply it directly to the chrome. Rub it in smooth, circular movements while removing as much surface dirt as possible.
  Smaller chrome objects, like pans or kitchen utensils, can be submerged directly in the cleaning mixture – just be sure to rinse them well afterwards.
4. 4
  Dry immediately
  
  To cut down on streaks, marks and water spots, dry areas as soon as you clean them with a soft cloth or some kitchen roll.
  Tip: Contrary to popular belief, cleaning chrome doesn’t need any specialist products. Regular soap and water will do the job, although it can lead to watermarks or leave soap residue. So, household cleaning products like Cif kitchen spray are often recommended. These products remove soap scum effortlessly, giving you brighter, shinier chrome accents in your kitchen and bathroom.

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3 natural chrome cleaning solutions

Hit up your kitchen cupboard for some simple, effective and all-natural chrome cleaning supplies.

Lemon juice

Lemon is a brilliant way to brighten up chrome fixtures and fittings. Besides, it has antibacterial properties, making it an ideal disinfectant for surfaces.[1] Simply use the fleshy half to scrub the surfaces of your taps and fixtures. If you live in a hard water area, let the lemon juice sit for a few minutes to work its magic when cleaning chrome surfaces. Then, rinse with warm water and use a soft cloth to wipe away any residue or pith.

Easy, right? We’ve got lots more brilliant tips for cleaning with lemon.

Vinegar

If you’re looking to shift stubborn stains, discolouration or even rust, vinegar is a great solution. Just mix one part water with one part white vinegar. However, don’t over dilute the vinegar as it will lose its potency. Apply with a cloth or sponge.

Noticed some rust on your taps? You can remove rust from chrome by spraying a strong vinegar mixture directly onto the affected area. Leave it to sit for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing it with a soft sponge and rinsing in warm water. The acetic acid in the vinegar will help break down the rust.[2]

Pro Tip: To create your own chrome cleaning solution, check out our guide to homemade rust removers.

Baking soda

Are there a lot of grime build up or you have tricky, hard-to-reach areas in need of cleaning? It might be time to bust out the baking soda, which is so good at removing stubborn stains, especially when cleaning chrome. Besides, when mixed with lemon or citric acid, baking soda effectively kills mould and bacteria. As such, this is the ideal cleaning product for chrome fixtures in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a little bit of water until you have a paste. Spread this directly on to your fixtures. (use a toothbrush to apply the paste to any nooks and crannies).

Don’t be afraid to apply some firm pressure to work the mix in. Then, rinse with warm water and dry immediately.

Impressed? We’ve got lots of other great ideas for cleaning with baking soda around the house.

Coke

Cleaning chrome with coke is a simple and effective method. Here are the steps:

1
Start by pouring some cola onto a clean cloth or sponge.
2
Gently rub the cloth or sponge onto the chrome surface, making sure to cover the entire area. The acid in the cola helps to break down dirt and grime.
3
After scrubbing, rinse the chrome thoroughly with water and wipe it dry with a clean cloth.

This process can be repeated if necessary for stubborn stains or build-up. Remember to test a small, inconspicuous area before cleaning the entire chrome surface to ensure compatibility. While coke can be an effective cleaning solution for chrome, it doesn’t work for all materials.

How to clean chrome taps and fixtures

A common problem with many chrome features in the home, especially in places like the kitchen and bathroom, is that they can be very awkward shapes. Think of things like taps, flush handles and shower heads. This makes cleaning them and bringing up their shine quite challenging.

Moisture and heat create a breeding ground for mould and bacteria. So, it’s especially important to keep them well cleaned to maintain hygiene, as well as impeccable surfaces. We recommend reading our article on how to use mould and mildew removers in bathrooms and kitchens.

Here’s where a commercial chrome cleaner can come in handy. Rather than using cream-based cleaning products for chrome, consider using wipes, sprays, and mousse cleaners. These solutions expand upon contact, making it easier for you to get to all those hard-to-reach areas.

Here’s how to clean tarnished chrome bathroom and kitchen fixtures:

1
Apply a high quality chrome cleaner (Cif Power & Shine Bathroom or Cif Power & Shine Kitchen are both good choices) to a clean cotton cloth. Then, wipe over the chrome.
2
Leave per the product’s instructions, and then rinse with warm water.
3
Gently remove any product residue using a dry chamois or paper towel.
4
For the best finish, buff your chrome with a clean, dry cloth afterwards.

How to clean tarnished chrome

Don’t despair if your chrome has lost its lustre – it can be fixed with this quick and easy hack.

Believe it or not, aluminium foil is a brilliant way to buff up your chrome. It’s a softer metal, which means it won’t scratch or damage it the way a stainless steel sponge might.

Just break off a small sheet of foil, crumple it into a small ball and dip it in some warm water. Then, use it to rub the tarnished chrome all over, much as you would with a scouring pad.

For even more effectiveness, you can try dipping the foil into a vinegar cleaning solution first. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your chrome will brighten up.

How to polish chrome

Nothing gives a room that sparkling finishing touch like gleaming chrome surfaces. Dulled chrome, whether due to water spots or tarnish, is very common but, luckily, easy enough to fix.

Simply use a clean, dry cloth to buff up your chrome after using our cleaning method above. Make sure to rinse and polish your chrome immediately after cleaning, as soapy water can leave streaky marks when it dries.

You could opt for a quality dedicated polish, designed specifically for chrome surfaces, and simply buff it on using a clean, soft cloth. Before using any new products to clean chrome, make sure to test them on a small, inconspicuous area.

How to prevent chrome surfaces from oxidising

Now that you’ve learned how to get rust off chrome, you should also know how to prevent the material from oxidising. Here are some tips you can follow to keep your chrome surfaces from developing rust:

✦
Clean the chrome material regularly: When you neglect cleaning chrome surfaces, the dirtier it will get and the more force you’ll use to clean it. Consequently, the risk of damaging the material will be higher. So to avoid damaging chrome objects, clean them regularly using the steps we shared in this article.
✦
Protect the chrome surface: As we’ve discussed, you can remove rust from chrome surfaces using aluminium. Well, you can also use that to prevent your chrome fixtures and items from oxidising. All you need to do is crump up a bit of aluminium foil and dip it in salty water. Rub the crumpled foil onto the surface then let it air dry for an hour. Once the time is up, use a microfibre cloth to wipe off the residue.
✦
Apply polish after cleaning chrome: At least once a year, apply chrome polish to prevent the material from developing rust.

Answers to your chrome cleaning questions

What is the best way to clean chrome?

Although there are plenty of commercial chrome cleaners out there, plain warm water and regular soap is one of the easiest and most effective ways to clean chrome. How do you remove oxidation from chrome?

Chrome can oxidise over time and even begin to develop rust spots. Luckily, a simple cleaning solution and a bit of elbow grease is all you usually need to get rid of these marks.

Start with our simple chrome cleaning method, outlined above. Then, move on to trying our tips for cleaning chrome with things like vinegar, baking soda or tin foil.

Will vinegar damage chrome fixtures?

Vinegar is so great at removing rust from chrome because it’s an acid. However, you should use it carefully and sparingly and not leave it sitting too long.

How do I make chrome shine again?

One of the best ways to clean chrome surfaces while bringing back their shine is using Cif Cleanboost Power + Shine. This product effectively lifts tough dirt, grime and grease off your chrome fixtures and items. At the same time, it leaves a streak-free shine on the surface.

Can you clean chrome with rubbing alcohol?

Yes, you can use rubbing alcohol to spot-treat tough stains on chrome surfaces. However, you should use it sparingly when cleaning chrome materials. Otherwise, discolouration may occur on your chrome fixtures and items.

Is WD-40 good for cleaning chrome?

Yes, you can use WD-40 to clean chrome. This product can also be a great home hack when you want to add shine to chrome surfaces.

How do you get brown spots off chrome?

There are plenty of cleaning products you can use, but in most cases, distilled vinegar provides optimal results for cleaning chrome and removing brown spots. All you need to do is pour the vinegar into a spray bottle and then apply the solution to the affected areas. Let the vinegar sit on the material for about five minutes, then scrub the surface. Finally, rinse the chrome surface using warm water and wipe off the excess moisture using a microfibre cloth.

References:

1. D'Aquino, M., & Teves, S. A. (1994). Lemon juice as a natural biocide for disinfecting drinking water. Bulletin of the Pan American Health Organization, 28(4), 324–330.

2. Mwangi, C. (2017). Preparation and Evaluation of Rust Removal Solution for Anticorrosive Properties [MA thesis]. University of Nairobi.

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