Here's How to Clean and Maintain Your Kitchen or Bath Faucet and Shower Head

Here's How to Clean and Maintain Your Kitchen or Bath Faucet and Shower Head
Here's How to Clean and Maintain Your Kitchen or Bath Faucet and Shower Head

HowtoClean Article2A beautiful faucet is a great investment, and, with minimal care, it can continue to add value to your home for years to come. Here are some of our best tips for maintaining your faucet and keeping it clean:

CLEAN GENTLY

Be sure to gently blot any water from the faucet’s surface. Allowing water to evaporate on the surface of your faucet can lead to a buildup of mineral deposits.

REMOVE WATER SPOTS

To remove water spots, use warm water and a soft, damp cloth. To lessen the need for this step (or to skip it altogether), get a faucet that has SpotShield Technology. This innovation helps your faucet stay cleaner longer by resisting water spots and fingerprints. There’s even antimicrobial protection of the finish that helps prevent the microbial growth associated with stains and odor. SpotShield finishes are available for kitchen and bath faucets and shower heads, too. 

REMOVE HARD WATER STAINS

To remove hard water stains, use a solution of 50/50 white vinegar and water. Lime and calcium buildup on a faucet can be hard to remove, especially if left to accumulate. Enter Touch-Clean Spray Holes, an innovation that makes cleaning mineral buildup super easy and chemical cleaners unnecessary. The process is simple: Swipe your finger across the soft-rubber spray holes of a touch-clean faucet and voilà—any buildup is gone in an instant.

 USE THESE CLEANING PRODUCTS

The following products are safe to use on all Delta Faucet finishes, when used according to the manufacturers’ instructions for use:

  • Formula 409® Antibacterial All-Purpose Cleaner
  • Fantastik® All-Purpose Cleaner
  • Windex® Original Glass Cleaner

Other gentle all-purpose or multi-surface cleaners may also be used. Please do not use anything labeled “all-purpose bathroom cleaner.” If you have questions about specific cleaners, please contact us (see below).

THINGS THAT WILL DAMAGE YOUR FINISH

Avoid the following, which can cause damage to your finish:

  • Industrial and abrasive cleaners, such as those used for toilet bowls; green Scotch-Brite heavy-duty scrub sponges; Scrubbing Bubbles® Bathroom Cleaner; Lysol® Basin Tub and Tile Cleaner; and Soft Scrub®
  • Products that state on the label that they remove tarnish and rust, and those containing hydrofluoric, hydrochloric and/or phosphoric acids and caustic agents
  • Harsh abrasives or polishes
  • Bleach-based cleaners

CHOOSE A DURABLE FINISH

When choosing a faucet finish, consider an innovative choice that will help keep your faucet or shower looking like new for life. Brilliance finishes are durable, long-lasting and guaranteed not to corrode, tarnish or discolor. When tested against more than 100 household cleaners, these scratch-resistant finishes can even withstand repeated scouring with steel wool (though we don't recommend it). This technology will help keep your faucet in great shape even after years of cleaning. 

To keep the rest of your bathroom sparkling, here are some tips for cleaning your acrylic shower or tub.