You want your nickel fixtures to stay as pretty as the day you bought them, but you’re learning that effectively cleaning nickel can be difficult.

Nickel is a great choice for fixtures and accent pieces in your home due to its beauty and durability. Luckily, it’s possible to keep it tarnish-free and looking as good as new with some simple and effective cleaning steps.

Learn how to effectively clean nickel depending on which kind you have and how to maintain the beauty of your nickel fixtures and accent pieces.

To Clean Nickel, First Determine Which Kind You Have

Polished, brushed, and satin nickel are the three primary finishes of nickel. They differ from each other in texture, appearance, and maintenance.

Brushed nickel:

Has a slightly textured finish
Has a clear graining in one direction in the finish
Hides the signs of wear, like scratches and fingerprints, better than other nickels
Can be cleaned with household cleaners, standard metal polishes, or natural solutions

Polished nickel:

Has a shiny, highly reflective finish with a mirror-like appearance
Is more sensitive to showing fingerprints, water spots, and scratches
Requires regular cleaning and polishing

Satin nickel:

Has a smooth, slightly glossy finish with subtle luster
Has less visible brushing than brushed nickel
Hides fingerprints and oil smudges
Can be cleaned with household cleaners, standard metal polishes, or natural solutions

At Tidy Up Portland!, we are experienced in cleaning and caring for all types of nickel. If you feel nervous that you might do the wrong thing, you can always trust our team to keep your nickel (and your entire home) looking its best.

How To Clean Brushed Nickel in 5 Steps

#1: Avoid Harsh Cleaners

You always want to use gentle cloths, simple soap and water, or diluted solutions to clean brushed nickel. Using any scouring sponge or chemical that is too harsh can harm the finish of your brushed nickel.

#2: Clean With a Microfiber Cloth and Warm Water

Begin your cleansing of brushed nickel with a soft microfiber cloth, warm water, and a little elbow grease. A simple cleaning with warm water on a soft towel daily, in particular for fixtures like faucets that get used often, can prevent dirt from sticking and prevent stains. If you notice stains are present and are not coming off with just the water, move on to Tip # 3.

#3: Use a Small Amount of Dish Detergent To Combat Stubborn Stains

A few drops of dish soap mixed with warm water can help clean stains, including tough water stains. Simply add a few drops of liquid dish soap to ½ cup of water, and continue to clean with a microfiber cloth and some elbow grease.

#4: Polish With a Dry Lint-Free Cloth

Once you have cleaned the entire fixture or piece thoroughly, dry and buff it using a dry lint-free microfiber cloth or towel. It’s important to dry nickel completely to avoid new water stains forming as soon as you finish cleaning it. At Tidy Up Portland!, we use reusable cloths and work to minimize any harmful impacts on the environment in every possible way.

#5: Wax the Finish

To restore the most shine to the finish of your brushed nickel, spread a layer of paste wax over the finishes. Waxing is recommended approximately every four to six weeks. Spread the wax using a soft dry cloth, working it over the surface of the nickel in a small circular motion. After covering the finish, buff it to a shine using another dry soft cloth. Remember to use lint-free towels for the best clean.

How To Clean Satin or Polished Nickel in 5 Steps

#1: Wipe Daily With Microfiber

We recommend a daily gentle wipedown using a microfiber cloth and warm water to prevent the buildup of dirt and grime on fixtures that are used daily. Make sure to dry and buff completely after cleaning with water to prevent water stains from forming on your nickel fixtures.

#2: Clean Regularly With Mild Detergent and a Damp Cloth

Every few days — at least once a week — clean your polished or satin nickel fixtures with a mild detergent on a damp cloth. Cleaning frequently is important for polished and satin nickel because of their shiny finish. The shinier the finish, the more fingerprints and stains are visible from daily use.

#3: Use a Vinegar Solution To Remove Hard Water Stains

Hard water stains can be tough to remove but with a simple mixture of equal parts vinegar and water can be used to get them off. Here’s how:

In a small bowl mix ½ cup white vinegar with ½ cup warm water.
Dip a soft microfiber cloth into the solution and wipe down the nickel fixture or piece with the vinegar solution. (Do not use pure vinegar!)
Use a little elbow grease to eradicate the hard water stains.

#4: Dry the Surface

With every method of cleaning nickel, it is crucial to thoroughly dry it after cleaning. Leaving moisture on the surface can cause the surface to lose luster and lead to the formation of water stains. The best way to dry and buff is with a clean, lint-free soft towel or cloth.

#5: Polish the Nickel About Once a Week

In addition to regular cleaning of polished or satin nickel, a more complete polish using a soft wax applied on a soft towel is recommended weekly or bi-weekly. This will provide a gentle layer of protection that prevents stains from forming.

If all of this feels like too much, Tidy Up Portland! is happy to take some of the burden of keeping your home fresh and sparkling off of you. Our team uses green, environmentally friendly products to keep your home clean and comfortable so that you can focus more on living life.

Keep Your Nickel Fixtures Looking Their Best With the Help of Tidy Up Portland!

Tidy Up Portland! offers professional cleaners to deep-clean and maintain the cleanliness of your home. Our team uses all-natural, environmentally friendly products and methods. We value your health and wellness, and our goal is to make your life easier. We offer flexible scheduling to meet your needs and busy life.

We are experts in how to clean nickel and all other tough-to-clean fixtures and elements of your home. We offer custom cleaning services to meet your unique needs. Our online scheduling platform makes it easy to schedule appointments. Head to Tidy Up Portland! and schedule your first cleaning with us today.

Shiny & Bright: Tips on How To Clean Nickel Like a Pro

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To Clean Nickel, First Determine Which Kind You Have