Muted silver-gray with that classic matte finish. You love the effortlessly sleek look of your brushed nickel fixtures. That is, until water spots, fingerprints, and everyday dirt and grime start stealing its shine.

No need to despair of ever having spiffy fixtures, because we've got good news! With a few simple polishing tricks, you can easily refresh your brushed nickel and keep that warm, sophisticated finish looking perfectly polished.

Join the team at Tidy Up Portland! as we discuss the types of nickel fixtures, outline how to polish nickel by type, and tell you who to call for the best professional housecleaning in Portland.

To Clean Nickel, First Determine Which Kind You Have

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 about using the wrong cleaning products or tools, you can always trust our team to keep your nickel (and your whole home) looking its best.

How To Clean Brushed Nickel in 5 Steps

#1: Avoid Harsh Cleaners

Always use gentle cloths, simple soap and water, or diluted solutions to clean brushed nickel. Using a scouring sponge or harsh chemicals can leave scratches and harm the finish.

#2: Clean With a Microfiber Cloth and Warm Water

Begin cleaning your nickel with a soft microfiber cloth, warm water, and a little elbow grease. Repeating this process daily, especially on fixtures like faucets that get frequent use, can prevent stains. If you notice stains aren’t coming off with just 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 deposits. 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’ve cleaned the entire fixture or piece thoroughly, use a lint-free microfiber cloth or towel to remove any remaining moisture and buff the surface. It’s important to dry nickel completely to keep new water stains from forming. The team at Tidy Up Portland! cleans with reusable cloths and works to minimize any harmful impacts on the environment in every possible way.

#5: Wax the Finish

To restore the most shine to 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 a fresh cloth. 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 wipe-down 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.

#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 are often tough to remove, but a simple mixture of equal parts vinegar and water can do the trick. 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 nickel cleaning method, it’s important to thoroughly dry it once it’s clean. Leaving moisture on the surface can cause it to lose luster and lead to the formation of water stains. Simply dry and buff it with a soft, clean, lint-free towel or cloth.

#5: Polish the Nickel About Once a Week

In addition to regularly cleaning 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 keeps stains from forming.

If cleaning and polishing your brushed nickel seems like a daunting task, Tidy Up Portland! can keep your home fresh and sparkling. Our team is committed to environmentally friendly products and procedures and uses green products to keep your home clean and comfortable.

Commonly Asked Questions About How To Clean Brushed Nickel

Not really. In fact, brushed nickel is one of the easier metals to keep clean since its textured, matte surface easily hides water spots, fingerprints, and smudges.

To keep your brushed nickel looking its best, avoid:

Bleach
Ammonia
Undiluted vinegar
Citrus cleaners
Alcohol and solvents
Limescale removers
Steel wool
Wire brushes
Scouring pads

Since they’re mildly abrasive and may scratch, dull, or otherwise mar the finish, we avoid using magic erasers (melamine foam) for cleaning brushed nickel.

Keep Your Nickel Fixtures Looking Their Very Best With Help From Tidy Up Portland!

Tidy Up Portland!’s professional cleaners are experts when it comes to helping you keep your home clean and fresh.

While we offer pre-set cleaning packages that cover the needs of most people, we’re also happy to provide custom cleaning services that are specific to your unique needs.

If you’re ready to bring house cleaning services into your life and get time back for what matters most, we’re here to help.

Head to Tidy Up Portland! and schedule your cleaning today.

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

Table of Contents

To Clean Nickel, First Determine Which Kind You Have