The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Chrome plating is durable, corrosion-resistant, and aesthetically pleasing.

If you love the look of shiny chrome, here’s how to keep it that way.

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Chrome sink faucet cleaned with blue microfiber cloth next to bottle of tea tree hand wash

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Agitate the water to completely disperse the soap.

Wipe Down the Chrome

Dip a nonabrasive sponge or soft cloth in the cleaning solution.

Wring so it is not dripping.

Materials and tools to clean chrome fixtures

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Slowly wipe down the chrome faucet, plumbing fixture, or towel bar with the damp sponge.

To clean tight spaces and crevices, use an old soft toothbrush dipped in soapy water.

For stuck-on grime like dried toothpaste or food, sprinkle a bit of drybaking sodaon the sponge or toothbrush.

Teaspoon of dishwashing liquid mixed with sink filled water to clean chrome faucet

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

The gentle abrasive action of baking soda will loosen the mess.

Finally, use a lint-free microfiber cloth to buff the chrome to a high shine.

Drying thoroughly will help eliminate any streaks or spots.

Chrome faucet wiped down with nonabrasive cloth and cleaning solution

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Soapy water will not remove these stains easily, especially if the build-up is heavy.

To remove the stains, mix a 50/50 solution of water anddistilled white vinegar.

Dip a sponge or toothbrush in the vinegar solution and wipe down the chrome.

Green lint-free microfiber cloth drying off chrome sink faucet

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

If the diluted solution does not remove the hard water spots, use pure distilled white vinegar.

Rub gently and move slowly so the vinegar has time to break down the mineral deposits.

Crumple a square of aluminum foil into a loose ball.

Distilled white vinegar poured into metal bowl with water for cleaning solution

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Be sure to keep the foil and chrome very wet while you are cleaning.

After cleaning, rinse the chrome well with warm water and buff dry with a soft cloth.

The wax causes water and grime to bead up and roll away quicker.

White toothbrush dipped in vinegar solution scrubbing base of chrome sink faucet

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

If you’d like to preserve your chrome surface’s shine, use anautomotive waxthat contains carnauba oil.

Tips to Keep Chrome Shiny and Bright

Chrome sink faucet buffed with green microfiber cloth after rinsing

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Ball of aluminum foil dipped in bowl with distilled white vinegar

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida