Your kitchen faucet is what you most likely use to clean your dishes, fill cups with drinking water and use for water when cooking or cleaning. How many times have you thought to look at the underside of your kitchen faucet though? Is it a spot that you remember to clean often? If not, it definitely should be.
Guidelines and Limitations: Safely Cleaning Your Faucets
Faucets are an integral part of our homes, providing us with access to clean water for various tasks, from cooking to cleaning. However, over time, they can accumulate grime, limescale, and even rust. While it's essential to keep them clean, it's equally crucial to understand the restrictions and guidelines associated with cleaning faucets to ensure their longevity and maintain their finish. Here are some key considerations:
- Avoid Abrasive Scrubbers: While it might be tempting to use steel wool or other abrasive scrubbers to remove tough stains, these can scratch the surface of your faucet, leading to permanent damage. Instead, opt for soft cloths or sponges.
- Steer Clear of Harsh Chemicals: Many commercial cleaners contain chemicals that can corrode or tarnish the finish of your faucet. Always check the label and avoid products with acids or other potentially harmful ingredients. Instead, consider using natural cleaners like vinegar or baking soda.
- Water Temperature Matters: When cleaning, avoid using extremely hot water as it can affect the finish of some faucets, especially those with special coatings.
- Be Mindful of Plated Finishes: Faucets with plated finishes, such as gold or nickel, require extra care. Avoid any acidic cleaners and always dry the faucet after cleaning to prevent water spots.
- Regular Maintenance: While deep cleaning is essential, regular maintenance can prevent the buildup of grime and limescale. Wiping your faucet with a damp cloth daily can keep it looking new and reduce the need for intensive cleaning.
- Check Manufacturer's Instructions: Always refer to the cleaning instructions provided by the faucet's manufacturer. They often provide specific guidelines tailored to the material and finish of the product.
- Avoid Bleach: Chlorine bleach can be particularly harsh on faucets, leading to discoloration and corrosion. If you need a disinfectant, consider alternatives or ensure that any bleach is thoroughly rinsed off.
Kitchen faucets are a breeding ground for mold, mildew and lime buildup, and should be cleaned at least once every couple of weeks. I'm going to show you a super easy way to clean a kitchen faucet so you can feel good about the water you are using on a daily basis.
To clean your kitchen faucet, all you need is distilled white vinegar, a baggie and a rubber band or elastic hair tie.
Start by filling your baggie half way full with distilled white vinegar.
Any white vinegar will do. Vinegar is an amazing disinfectant and will help kill any germs and bacteria.
Pull the baggie of vinegar up over your kitchen faucet and secure it with your rubber band or hair tie and let sit for 20-30 minutes.
Remove the baggie and discard. Use a dish brush to remove any bits that are left on the faucet head and rinse with warm water.
All of your faucet's jets should now be clear of any mold, mildew, lime build up and food particles, so you can use it without fear of spreading those things to other areas of your kitchen!
