Your bathroom fixtures work best when they are carefully cared for and maintained. Two of the most important fixtures in this regard are faucets and shower heads. Every time these two fixtures are used, they come into contact with water. Of course, when something is constantly coming into contact with water regularly, it will inevitably deal with some functional issues. This is why it is so important to make sure your faucets and shower heads are cleaned on a regular basis. This guide will cover everything you need to know about how you should clean your faucet and shower head.
Different Ways to Clean Bathroom Faucets and Shower Heads
In general there are a few main ways that people will go about cleaning your bathroom faucets and shower heads. Each of these cleaning methods will essentially do the same thing. However, there are some slight differences between them. Specifically, this guide will be going over three of the most common ways to clean your faucets and shower heads. The three most common ways to clean your bathroom faucets and shower heads are through the use of cleaning solution, vinegar and lemon juice. Each of these methods have their own benefits. For example, a cleaning solution will do most of the work for you, while vinegar and lemon juice are two common household items that are cost effective ways to clean your fixtures.
Cleaning Faucets and Shower Heads with Store Bought Cleaning Solution
If you are looking for a convenient and simple way to clean your faucets and shower heads, a store bought cleaning solution might be the best way for you to go. Depending on the specific finishes your faucets and showers have, the cleaning solution may need to be a bit different. Since many faucets and shower heads are finished with chrome or stainless steel, a standard cleaning solution will be easy to find. However, if your faucet has a non-metallic finish, you may need to find an alternative cleaning solution in order to properly and safely clean your faucet and shower head.
The process of cleaning your bathroom faucet and shower head is relatively simple with a cleaning solution. Of course, it will depend on the specific cleaning solution and brand, but they will all work in a similar manner. A common type of cleaning solution you may find is a spray solution. Simply spray the solution on the faucet or shower head. Then let it sit for the recommended amount of time. Finally, rinse the solution off and make sure you dry it with a microfiber cloth.
Of course, there are other types of solutions on the market. However, no matter what brand or type of solution you are using, they all might slightly vary in terms of how exactly they need to be used. Again, most of them will be very similar in terms of the process, but always read the direction carefully before use.
Cleaning Bathroom Faucets and Shower Heads With Vinegar
One of the most common DIY ways to clean chrome shower heads or bathroom faucets is through the use of a homemade vinegar cleaning solution. Specifically, white vinegar is the type of vinegar you will want to use. Aside from white vinegar, you will also need a plastic bag (Ziploc or something similar) and a string or rubber band. With just these three items, you will have everything you need to properly clean your bathroom faucet or shower head. The first thing you need to consider is whether or not you can or want to remove your faucet or shower head, because that will slightly affect the cleaning process. This isn’t a huge issue, but it is a step that will make the process a bit easier and more effective.
There are several important steps you need to take when cleaning your faucet or shower head with vinegar.
Step 1: Firstly, fill your plastic bag with vinegar. Do not put too much vinegar in the bag or else it might overflow when you submerge your faucet or shower head in it. It is recommended that you fill the bag about halfway with vinegar.
Step 2: Put the bag over your faucet or shower head if it is still mounted, or place your shower head in the bag if you have removed it. Make sure the shower head or faucet is fully submerged in order for the vinegar to reach all parts of the fixture.
Step 3: Seal the bag of vinegar around your faucet or shower with the string or rubber band that you should have available. Make sure the seal is secure, ensuring no vinegar is leaking out. This is also a good time to make sure there are no holes or breaks in the bag.
Step 4: Once the bag is properly sealed, let the faucet or shower head soak. Depending on the finish, the soaking time will vary. Chrome should be left in for about 1-2 hours. If it is very dirty, you can even leave it overnight. However, other finishes like gold, nickel or brass should only be left in for about 30 minutes to prevent damage.
Step 5: After you let it soak, remove it from the bag by untying the seal made by the string or rubber band. Slowly let the vinegar run out of the bag and down the drain. It is recommended that you run hot water while doing this in order to remove all leftover minerals from the faucet or shower head, as well as the sink and drain.
Step 6: Finally, take a microfiber cloth and carefully polish the faucet or shower head until it is dry. This will remove any water or vinegar still remaining on the fixture, ensuring it is perfectly clean when you go to use it again.
Cleaning Bathroom Faucets an Shower Heads With Lemon Juice
Another common household item, lemon juice is an easy solution to cleaning your bathroom faucets and shower heads. The main reason as to why lemon juice is an effective way to clean bathroom fixtures is due to the effectiveness of citric acid and hard water buildup. Citric acid is a great natural way to clean many fixtures in a bathroom, along with being incredibly affordable compared to some other options. In terms of the cleaning process, it is similar to cleaning your faucets and shower heads with vinegar, with some small adjustments that you should definitely take into account.
First, get your materials ready. For this project, you will need a lemon or two, a plastic bag, a string/rubber band and a microfiber cloth. The first step is to cut the lemon in half exposing the inside of the fruit. Rub the lemon directly on the faucet or shower head while simultaneously lightly squeezing the juice onto the fixture in question. You can also use lemon juice itself, instead of an entire lemon. If this is the case, fill the bag about halfway with lemon juice, similar to how you would with vinegar.
Place the shower head or faucet in the plastic bag, making sure the lemon juice is fully covering the fixture. Once the faucet or shower head is in the bag, seal the bag with the rubber band or string, exactly how you would with vinegar. Leave the faucet or shower head in the bag for a few hours to allow the lemon juice to do the work effectively.
After you let the faucet or shower head soak in the lemon juice for a few hours, carefully unseal the bag and slowly let the lemon juice pour out of the bag. Carefully rinse off the shower head or faucet with warm water and then dry it with a microfiber cloth until completely dry.
Importance of Keeping Your Faucet and Shower Clean
Because your faucet and shower head are two of the most used fixtures in a bathroom, it is important to keep them as clean as possible. This is especially true for fixtures like these that are in contact with water every time they are used. Although they are designed to come in contact with water regularly, they will inevitably experience some kind of water damage at some point, no matter how small it might be.
It is also important to keep your bathroom faucet and shower head clean for cosmetic reasons. Spotty fixtures can be an unattractive aspect of a bathroom, so it is a good idea to keep them as clean as possible. Of course, you don’t need to do a deep cleaning of your bathroom faucet and shower head every single time. Sometimes, you can do a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth after you use either fixture. This will be an easy way to make sure your fixtures are looking and functioning well.
Cleaning Certain Bathroom Finishes
Aside from the common chrome finish that many faucets and shower heads have, there are several other beautiful finishes that can be used as well. However, some of these finishes will need special maintenance to prevent damages or blemishes. For example, matte finishes are very popular, but they need to be cleaned differently than metallic finishes. For things like matte black bathroom accessories, you’ll need a safe cleaner and microfiber mitt or cloth in order to carefully clean and polish the finish.
On the other hand, you may have bronze finishes in your bathroom. Oftentimes, bronze can simply be cleaned with just a soft cloth and water. Different finishes will need different types of care, so it is important to know what you have in your bathroom. Make sure you do the proper research in order to safely and properly clean your bathroom fixtures and accessories.
Cleaning Bathroom Faucets and Shower Heads
No matter how often or little you use your faucets and shower heads, they need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Because these specific fixtures experience frequent contact with water, it is very important that they are cared for. No matter what type of material or finish your bathroom fixtures have, there is a safe and effective way to clean them.