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How to Clean Hard Water Stain From Polished Nickel Faucets

Kaye Morris

Nickel bathroom and kitchen fixtures make an attractive addition to the room. Nickel faucets come in several different finishes, including brushed, polished and some specialty finishes that mimic aged metal.

Nickel faucets are durable, but very susceptible to staining from hard water, food, liquids and bathroom products. Abrasive cleaners and scouring pads can scratch and damage the surface of nickel fixtures, so you must be careful when selecting cleaning products. Commercial cleaners manufactured for the removal of hard water stains will often damage nickel, but you can remove hard water stains from polished nickel faucets using items you probably already have in your home.

  1. Pour 1/4 cup dishwashing liquid into a quart-size spray bottle. Fill the bottle with cool water.

  2. Shake the bottle to mix the contents, then spray the faucets with the cleaning solution.

  3. Scrub the faucets with a sponge and rinse thoroughly with cool water.

  4. Dampen a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and rub the stained areas until the stain lifts.

  5. Rinse the faucets thoroughly with cool water. Make sure no rubbing alcohol remains on the faucets.

  6. Buff the faucets to a high shine with a soft clean cloth.

  7. Tip

    To protect your hands, wear gloves when cleaning.

The Drip Cap

  • Nickel bathroom and kitchen fixtures make an attractive addition to the room.
  • Abrasive cleaners and scouring pads can scratch and damage the surface of nickel fixtures, so you must be careful when selecting cleaning products.
  • Scrub the faucets with a sponge and rinse thoroughly with cool water.