Oil-rubbed bronze faucets should get cleaned correctly because they have a ‘living’ finish. As a result, they get affected by some natural changes, making them wear out with time.
Well-maintained oil rubbed bronze kitchen faucets don’t corrode or fade with time. A specific method gets used to help them corrosion and fade resistance. Otherwise, you won’t like the appearance of a poorly managed faucet.
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Before starting the cleaning process, collect all the required items.
Items Required:
- Soft cloth
- Non-abrasive sponge
- Vinegar
- Bucket/container
- Paper towel
Then follow the following cleaning guide.
4 Steps to Clean Oil-Rubbed Bronze Faucets:
The process is easy and fast.
Step 1: Dry the Faucet
Before cleaning the faucet, ensure that it’s dry. If there’s any water spilled around, use a clean, soft cloth to dry it.
Step 2: Clean the Faucet Using Water
Water is naturally neutral and doesn’t damage the tap. That’s why it gets recommended that you first use water only to clean the faucet.
The faucet’s quality and changing color do not allow it to get cleaned frequently. Clean it only when necessary. Otherwise, the tap will lose its shiny finish and natural patina.
Look for a bucket or a reasonably sized container and put water. Then take a non-abrasive sponge or piece of a soft cloth and dip it inside. Use the wet sponge or cloth to clean the faucet gently.
Ensure you remove all the dirt. When through, take another piece of fabric that’s dry and clean. Use it to dry the tap. In case the spots reappear after drying, you need to remove them using the following step.
Step 3: Scrub the Faucet
If the faucet contains stubborn dirt or stains that can not get removed by gently cleaning it with water and a soft sponge, switch to scrubbing it.
Don’t get fooled by the hard water stains and use harsh cleaners or abrasive scrubbing pads. They will damage the tap. Scrub using a soft sponge or cloth. If the stains are still there, continue to the following step.
Step 4: Get Rid of Stubborn Stains
Stubborn stains may be hard to remove with a soft sponge and water only. Despite this, avoid using steel wool.
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Mix some water and vinegar in a container in equal proportions. Adding water to vinegar dilutes it, making it harmless to the faucet.
Then soak a clean, soft cloth or sponge into the mixture. Before you clean the tap with the cloth wet with the mixture, test if the solution is okay to use.
Dip a q-tip into the mix and apply it on a small part of the faucet. If the effect is safe, go ahead with the cleaning.
Use the damp cloth to rub the faucet gently. After you’ve rubbed the entire tap, place the cloth wet with the mixture on the faucet. Alternatively, you can use a paper towel.
Dip it into the vinegar solution and put it on the tap. Allow the cloth or paper towel to sit on the faucet for around 5 – 10 minutes.
When time is up, remove the cloth from the faucet. Then use a dry sponge to remove the stains. The sponge should be soft to avoid scratching the surface.
That’s it! Your Moen or Koehler oil-rubbed bronze faucet is as clean as new. If you’re finding that your faucet is still looking dirty after cleaning, or simply isn’t working, it may be best to get in touch with a plumber. This can indicate that there is a more serious issue involved with the function of your faucet. However, if you have noticed any leaks or drips, it may be best to contact an emergency plumber in Worcester. Not only will they get to the bottom of the issue quickly, but they can stop potential water damage from leaks. Their callout time is traditionally much quicker than a normal plumber, so they get in an emergency.
If you want your faucet to keep looking great and last long, you need to maintain it. The following guide will give a step-by-step insight into sanitizing your oil-rubbed bronze tap.
How to Sanitize Oil-Rubbed Bronze Faucets
If you have any finish in your house made with oil-rubbed bronze, you need to sanitize them to keep them clean and free from germs. The following steps will guide you on how to keep your faucets safe.
Step 1: Always Keep the Faucets Dry
Hard water contains minerals such as calcium that cause stains on faucets if left to dry on them. When you allow the water to settle on the tap for long, the stains become stubborn to remove.
The solution is to wipe the water every time after use. It would help if you kept a clean, soft cloth or towel hanging near the faucet.
Step 2: Apply a Faucet Wax
Faucet wax prevents stains from faucets and maintains their shine. The market contains wax for faucets made with different materials.
Get keen to pick one made for the oil-rubbed bronze faucets only. Great examples are renaissance or flitz faucet wax.
Use a soft sponge or fabric to apply the wax once in a while. Apply a thin layer, taking precautions not to build up in areas like cracks. Otherwise, the wax will leave a residue.
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The wax is also great to use when you scratch the faucet using a harsh scrub pad or abrasive sponge. You can hardly see the scratches when you apply the wax. It is also ideal to use when your faucet starts losing its shine.
Step 3: Apply Oil
Always apply oil after waxing the tap. Vegetable oil works like magic when applied to oil-rubbed bronze faucets regularly. It helps them maintain their color.
Put some oil on your fingers and smear around the tap. Too much oil will leave a residue on the faucet.
Frequently touched places on the faucet may lose their shine fast. Oil applied using the human hands makes the tap attain some natural glow and a lighter coloring with time.
It is essential to refinish your faucet once in a while after cleaning. The process is straightforward and quick.
You can repaint, use a spray finish, or apply an aging solution. Repainting is ideal when the faucet is severely damaged. But you will have to sand it first to attain an even surface.
The oil-rubbed finish usually gets treated carefully. The need to remove it should be necessary as you can’t get the exact finish by repainting.
Spray finishes are many. You can get one that resembles your oil-rubbed bronze faucet’s surface. Spray a thin layer.
For the severely damaged taps, try spraying an aging solution. It will give the faucet the cured look of oiled bronze.
Ensure you wear protective gear like gloves and a mask when using these chemicals and refinish solutions as they are harmful.
Conclusion
As explained above, it is not challenging to clean oil-rubbed bronze faucets. If it contains no hard to remove dirt or stubborn stains, water and a soft cloth is enough to clean the faucet. A solution of vinegar will remove all dirt and stains.
The above step-by-step cleaning guide will have your faucet clean in no time. It is essential to sanitize your oil rubbed tap after cleaning to keep it safe and enhance its life, as illustrated above.
Refinishing it once in a while also plays a significant role in restoring its luster, especially for the severely damaged faucets.
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