Brushed nickel faucets and fixtures can add a timeless, classic appeal to your bathroom, turning an ordinary sink area into a luxurious one. The matte surface of brushed nickel is made by dulling the shiny metal surface via sanding it. A twice-weekly cleaning schedule, along with polishing, is recommended for keeping your brushed nickel fixtures in ideal shape, preventing surface blemishes and even corrosion.

Calcified hard water deposits, toothpaste, soap scum and other bathroom grime can all contribute to dulling the visual appeal of your brushed nickel fixtures. It's important to choose the right cleaner for the job, however, as many bathroom cleaners are caustic or acid/ammonia-based, and can easily harm brushed nickel. Bleach-based cleaners or other products that claim to "remove rust or tarnish" can be detrimental to the surface of the nickel, as they likely contain hydrofluoric, hydrochloric and/or phosphoric acids.

You also want to avoid using scratch pads or other abrasive scrubbers, as these can strip the fixtures and faucets of their finish and protectants. You're better off using a soft toothbrush or cloth, and a non-caustic cleaning product designed to safely clean metals, like Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner. The professional grade cleaner and degreaser breaks down grease and grime, and removes soils on a wide variety of surfaces.

Directions for Cleaning Brushed Nickel Fixtures:

1. Apply Simple Green Pro HD. Spray Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner onto the surface.
2. Scrub. Use a wet, soft toothbrush to scrub, paying close attention to crevices.
3. Rinse. Rinse the fixture with clean water or thoroughly wipe down with a damp cloth.
4. Dry. Buff dry with a microfiber cloth.
5. Polish. Simple Green Pro HD safely cleans brushed nickel but does not polish it, so follow up with a polishing compound to shine.

TIP: Try to avoid touching your brushed nickel items as much as possible, as the oils in your skin can hasten tarnishing.

Do not soak brushed nickel items in Simple Green Pro HD. Long soak times in any alkaline, water-based cleaner can cause dingy, grey discoloration.