Cleaning Tarnished Taps (3 DIY Solutions)
Ever noticed those ugly tarnish stains on your taps?
They can really make your bathroom or kitchen look less than stellar.
But don't worry - there's no need to call in the professionals or invest in expensive cleaning products.
In this post, I'll show you three simple, DIY methods to restore your tarnished taps to their former glory. And the best part? You probably already have everything you need at home.
How To Clean Tarnished Chrome Taps
Chrome taps are pretty popular because they look sleek and last a long time. But they've got this annoying habit of getting tarnished, especially if you live somewhere with hard water.
That tarnish? It's basically just calcium buildup left behind when water dries up.
It might look tough to get rid of, but trust me, with the solutions, you can make those taps sparkle again in no time!
Also Read: Can You Use Steel Wool On Porcelain?
Let’s get started.
Method #1 - Vinegar Solution
Okay, first up, we've got good old white vinegar.
It's amazing how well this kitchen staple works on tarnished taps. The secret's in the acetic acid - it breaks down that limescale without messing up your chrome.
Here's what you do:
Grab some paper towels or a cloth and soak them in plain white vinegar. Then, wrap these around the gunky parts of your tap. Make sure you cover everything.
For those tricky spots like where the tap meets the sink or the spout, you can use a little plastic bag filled with vinegar. Just secure it with a rubber band.
Now, let it sit there for at least half an hour. If your taps are really bad, you might want to leave it overnight.
After that, take off the vinegar-soaked stuff and grab an old toothbrush. Give it a gentle scrub to get rid of the loosened gunk.
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Rinse it off with some clean water, dry it with a soft cloth, and voila! Your tap should be looking pretty good now.
Method #2 - Lemon Juice and Baking Soda Paste
Another way to clean tarnished taps is with lemon juice and baking soda.
This works great if you've got some really thick buildup going on.
Start by cutting a lemon in half. Take one half and kinda push it onto the tap spout. You want the tap to sink into the lemon a bit. To keep it in place, use a plastic bag and tie it with a rubber band.
This makes sure the lemon juice stays right where you want it.
For the rest of the tap, mix up some lemon juice and baking soda to make a paste. Smear this all over the tarnished areas and wrap it up with a cloth that's been soaked in lemon juice.
Now, go get some sleep - it's best to leave this on overnight.
In the morning, take off the lemon and the plastic bag. Grab that old toothbrush again and give everything a gentle scrub.
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Pay extra attention to those little spray holes. If some spots are being really stubborn, you can carefully use a needle or safety pin to clear them out.
Finally, rinse it all off with warm water and dry it with a soft cloth.
Method #3 - Steel Wool Or Aluminum Foil
If you have a super tarnished tap, we're gonna need to bring out the big guns - steel wool.
But be careful here! We don't want to scratch up that nice chrome surface.
When you're shopping for steel wool, look for grade #0000 (that's four zeros). This super fine stuff is made for buffing and won't scratch your chrome if you use it right. I recommend the Rhodes American Steel Wool Grade #0000.
Oh, and wear some rubber gloves - steel fibers can be pretty annoying on your skin.
To clean your tap, use the steel wool dry. No need to wet anything. Just apply gentle, steady pressure as you buff those tarnished areas.
You'll be amazed at how quickly the stains come off without damaging the chrome.
If you're not feeling the steel wool idea, no worries. You can try aluminum foil instead.
Just crumple up a piece of foil and dip it in a mix of water and baking soda. Then gently rub the tarnished areas. It works pretty well at removing buildup without scratching.
Wrapping Up
Removing tarnish and keeping your chrome taps clean and shiny isn't as hard as you might have thought. Try any of these 3 methods and it will work!
If you want to make your life easier, try to clean your taps regularly.
This will prevent heavy hard water buildup and make future cleaning a breeze.
After you use your taps, just give them a quick wipe with a soft, dry cloth to stop water spots from forming.
And here's a pro tip: once they're clean, you can put a thin layer of car wax on your taps. It helps repel water and keeps that buildup from coming back so quickly.