Home Cleaning Cleaning How-Tos How to Clean Chrome to Restore Its Shine Luckily, polishing up this high-shine material is pretty simple. By Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette has over four decades of experience and has been writing and consulting for more than 20 years sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, stain removal methods, and textile conservation. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on June 23, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Considerations Before You Begin White Vinegar Method Dishwashing Liquid and Baking Soda Method Rust Spots Removal Tips to Keep Chrome Clean and Shiny Close Photo: Xefstock/Getty Images Project Overview Skill Level: Beginner Chrome made its high mark in mid-century furniture and automobile design and continues to be a popular finish for bathroom fixtures and lighting. Most chrome items are plated over a base material such as steel, aluminum, or plastic. The thickness of the plating varies, but chrome is a durable, corrosion-resistant finish that you can maintain easily with the right products and tools. Here's how to keep your chrome finishes shiny and bright. How to Clean Rust Off Metal—3 Different Ways Considerations Before You Begin Before you clean chrome fixtures or furniture, there are a few things you should avoid. Once a thin layer of chrome plating is scratched or damaged, it cannot be restored easily. Never use a stiff-bristled scrubbing brush, abrasive sponge, or steel wool on chrome.Avoid using harsh scouring powders to clean chrome.Before using any type of commercial cleaner, read the label to make sure it is safe to use for cleaning chrome. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Non-abrasive sponge Microfiber cloths Sink or bucket Soft-bristled toothbrush Materials Distilled white vinegar Dishwashing liquid Distilled water (optional) Baking soda Aluminum foil Automotive wax (optional) Instructions How to Clean Chrome With Distilled White Vinegar The minerals in hard water can leave spots and streaks on chrome that require an acid-based cleaner to remove them. Diluted distilled white vinegar will cut through the mineral buildup. Mix a Cleaning Solution In a small bucket, mix an equal amount of distilled white vinegar and water.For areas with exceptionally hard water, use distilled water that contains no minerals in the vinegar solution. Clean the Chrome Dip a non-abrasive sponge or a soft-bristled brush in the vinegar solution to clean the chrome.An old toothbrush is a great tool to clean tight spaces around chrome plumbing fixtures.Rub gently and work slowly so the vinegar has time to break down the mineral deposits. If mineral buildup is heavy and the diluted solution is not removing the hard water spots, use pure distilled white vinegar on the sponge or brush. Rinse, Dry, and Buff to a Shine Once the mineral deposits are gone, rinse the chrome piece well with plain water.Use a lint-free microfiber cloth to dry the chrome and buff it to restore the shine. How to Clean Chrome With Dishwashing Liquid & Baking Soda If the chrome fixtures or furniture are only dusty or splattered with bath products, a warm soapy solution should bring them back to a shine. Mix a Cleaning Solution Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid and one quart of warm water into a sink or bucket of warm water. Clean the Chrome Dip a nonabrasive sponge in the soapy solution and wipe down the chrome finishes.Rinse the sponge often to get rid of dust and dirt.For tough, dried-on messes, dip a damp soft toothbrush in dry baking soda. The gentle abrasive quality of baking soda will help loosen the grime. Rinse and Buff Dry Rinse the chrome well with clean water and dry with a microfiber cloth. How to Remove Rust Spots From Chrome To remove rusty spots from chrome, crumple a square of aluminum foil into a loose ball. Mix a solution of warm, soapy water. Dip the foil ball in the solution and, working in small circles, gently rub it over the rusty chrome. Prevent scratches by keeping the foil and chrome very wet. Discard the foil as it discolors from the transfer of rust and make a new ball to keep cleaning. Rinse the area well and dry with a microfiber cloth. This method can also be used to remove heavy mineral buildup on chrome. Dip the aluminum foil ball in distilled white vinegar. After cleaning, rinse the chrome well with warm water and buff dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots. Tips to Keep Chrome Clean and Shiny Coating chrome with automotive wax that contains carnauba oil will help protect it from water spots. The wax allows water to bead up and roll away more quickly so it doesn't leave spots.Dry chrome plumbing fixtures after every use to help prevent the buildup of soap scum and water spots.If you live in a hard water area, add a water-softening system to your home to help prevent hard water stains.Use distilled water when cleaning chrome furniture and accessories to prevent spots from the minerals in the water.Avoid abrasive cleaning tools and products.