Oil rubbed bronze is one of the preferred choices for finishes on faucets because it adds an elegant look to kitchens, bathrooms, and many other places. There are many brands that provide brushed bronze and oil rubbed bronze faucets. The most important thing to keep those bronze taps appearing great is to know how to clean bronze faucets.
Due to its dynamic nature, it’s vulnerable to wear, such as difficult water spots. If properly cared for oil rubbed bronze will endure and appear beautiful for many years to come.
They’re not difficult to maintain, however, there are some rules about how to clean your oil rubbed bronze faucet. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide to restoring your faucet’s oil-rubbed bronze to its original, sparkling clean beauty.
What to Use to Clean Oil Rubbed Bronze Faucets
Similar to other faucet finishes, oil rubbed bronze finish shouldn’t be cleaned using aggressive cleaners or sponges. They could harm the faucet, leaving scratches, dings, and undesirable marks. It the best to utilize a mild cleaner and soft sponge to clean the faucet.
Beware of cleaners that contain bleach or alcohol because they can cause discoloration to the faucet. The harsh chemicals that dissolve limescale can also harm the faucet, therefore you should stay away from them too.
Do not use alcohol or scale removers.
Do not clean with bleach or bleach-based cleaners.
Beware of all-purpose cleaners for bathrooms.
Avoid using the products claimed to eliminate corrosion or tarnish.
How to Clean Bronze Faucets
Bronze does not need an extremely thorough cleaning procedure. If you will pay attention and maintain it on a regular basis the faucet will remain in good condition. But sometimes can happen that there is no daily care and it’s been a few weeks or months since you last cleaned it.
If you will provide daily care and maintain it on a regular basis your faucet will remain in high condition.
You’ll need only some moments of your time, and several things, such as:
- A bucket with warm water
- A few gentle cloths
- Non-abrasive sponge
- Faucet wax to bronze
- Mineral oil
Step 1. For the beginning, carefully wipe the faucet with plain warm water, and then a soft cloth or paper towel. This can help get rid of all dirt. It is also a safe method for oil-rubbed bronze to be cleaned, without damaging it.
Step 2. Then, you should dampen the soft sponge with warm water. Beware of utilizing cleaning products with abrasive properties like steel wool for scrubbing the faucet since they cause scratches. Clean the faucet with a sponge to get rid of any staining caused by hard water.
Step 3. Last but not least, fundamentally dry out the faucet using a soft, clean, dry cloth. Be sure to remove any water droplets that are left in the faucet. Put on the faucet wax using a soft and dry cloth. A tiny amount of oil could assist in maintaining and restoring the original color of the tap. You just need to coat the faucet with a fine layer of oil.
How to Get Rid of Calcium from the Faucet in Bronze
The hard water may leave the calcium deposits on your faucet which can ruin the elegant look. The deposits can be caused due to a large amount of calcium that remained when water evaporates.
To eliminate your tap from calcium deposits you’ll require:
- A number of soft and clean cloths
- Bowl
- Vinegar
- Water
- A soft toothbrush or soft sponge
The first step is to utilize a dry, soft cloth to clean away dust and water. Mix the same parts of vinegar and water together in the bowl. Place a cloth in the solution then allow the mixture to soak completely. Cover the cloth around the affected area and let it stay for between 60 and 90 minutes. Make sure that the fabric covers the entire area that has calcium sediment.
Once the mixture is impregnated on the faucet then use a soft-bristled brush or a soft sponge for cleaning the faucet to get rid of any calcium sediment. If the vinegar mixture does not completely cut it and the calcium sediment are stay in place, prepare the paste using vinegar, water, flour, and salt.
Make sure the paste is dense before applying it. A toothbrush can help get into areas that the cloth isn’t able to reach in order to spread the paste. After the paste has been put on, let it stay for at least up to an hour.
After the paste has dried after it has set, wipe off any excess using a towel. After that take warm water to clean the tap. Utilize a soft cloth to scrub off the sediment. Rinse it out to get rid of any remains. Finally, dry it out with a clean cloth.
How to Take off the Oxidation from Oil Rubbed Bronze
In case, your faucet from oil rubbed bronze has a greenish tint the reason is that there is an oxidation reaction that is taking place. The copper inside your faucet (bronze is made up of the components of 88 percent copper as well as 12 percent of tin) reacts with oxygen, and carbon dioxide in the air, and also with water.
The outcome is known as copper oxide, and it provides the faucet with a green hue.
To remove the oxidation, you’ll require:
- A number of soft cloths
- Baking soda
- Juice of lemon
- Warm water
Take two tablespoons of baking soda and sufficient lemon juice and mix to form an even paste. Apply the mixture to the green parts of the faucet and gently rub it in using a gentle cloth. The next step is to make use of warm water to wash the faucet to remove any dirt. Verify that the green marks disappear. If they are not then retry the procedure.
General Maintenance for Oil Rubbed Bronze
The dark, textured finish of oil-rubbed bronze adds an elegant look to your bathroom or kitchen. Permanent care is important to maintain the shine that your faucet has. However, that doesn’t mean that you must scrub your kitchen or bronze bathroom fixtures every day. It takes a lot of time and is not feasible for the majority of us.
Therefore, to keep your faucet’s oil-rubbed bronze sparkling and to maintain its shine, take a few minutes to wipe it down after each use. In case you shower, clean your hands, clean your teeth or wash dishes make sure you wipe the faucet dry. This will keep the formation of calcium deposits and water spots from being formed.
Anyway, even with an everyday wipe down you’ll need to give it an extensive clean. However, the regular care you do will be worth it in the end you’ll have less work to do.
How to Recover Damaged Oil Rubbed Bronze
In case your bronze faucet is stained with scratches or dings you can recover it yourself, without the help of a professional which would cost you money. In order to restore your faucet to its original, shiny looks, all you need is just some a little time.
Remove any dirt or dust with an easy-to-clean cloth. Avoid utilizing abrasive cleaners or sponges since they can result in extra scratches on the coating.
Make use of a second gentle cloth for applying the furniture wax. Apply the wax to the scratch using a circular motion. Proceed to chafe the wax, until you are unable to discern them.
Allow the wax to set for a couple of minutes and then clean the excess using a clean cloth. Make sure you remove the excess, otherwise it could leave a smudge over the tap. To bring back the original shine of the faucet make sure to make a damp cotton ball using some mineral oil, then rub it across the faucet.
How to Restore the Antique Bronze
Restoring antique bronze isn’t identical to cleaning it. When you’re working on restoring bronze you’re eliminating lime, buildup, and other shapes of oxidation from its coating. It’s a more profound procedure. Restoring a bronze can assist in repairing the damage that has been caused by negligence. Below is how you can accomplish it:
- Begin by putting on rubber gloves, then dusting the bronze. It is important to wear gloves to do this as the oils in your skin may react negatively with old bronze. You’ll need to get rid of dust prior to beginning to repair your bronze fixture, so be sure you did the proper cleaning.
- Then, soak a soft cloth into mineral spirits to wash away the grease that has gained on the bronze. Chafe the bronze in small circles. Then, make use of a toothpick soaked with spirits to reach any crevices that are smaller.
- Combine denatured alcohol and powdered chalk to make an extremely thick paste. Make use of a cloth to add the paste onto the bronze product you’d like to restore.
- Chafe the item with the paste using the motion of buffing. The accumulation of oxidation will literally drop off.
- Continue to chafe the object and dry it out using another cloth.
- As soon as oxidation is removed, it is necessary to chafe a bronze object with a solid metal wax. The wax can help stop any further oxidation.
Video: How to Clean Bronze Faucets
In this video, how to clean hard water mineral deposits off a bronze faucet cheaply with stuff you have laying around the house.
FAQs
Will vinegar damage bronze faucets?
Vinegar is secure to utilize on bronze faucets. It’s a standard household product that’s excellent to utilize for a variety of projects for cleaning, consisting of the cleaning of bronze faucets. Vinegar can be useful in washing off calcium sediment and water spots.
How do you remove limescale from a bronze faucet?
Try basic water and a gentle cloth to begin. If the stubborn stains do not disappear, try vinegar. Mix it halfway with water, then add it to a spray bottle. After spraying it on the stain and letting it sit for a couple of minutes (no more than the recommended time) then wipe it clean using the cloth.
How do you get hard water stains off bronze?
White vinegar is the most effective household cleaning and is an excellent choice for more hard water spots on your oil-rubbed bronze fixtures. Fill an empty spray bottle half with vinegar and the other half with water, and spray the mixture onto the faucet. Clean it off with a moist soft cloth.
Can you use vinegar to clean oil rubbed bronze faucets?
Yes, you can. If you’ve got stains that are difficult that remain after cleaning using a soft sponge you could make use of a white vinegar cleaning solution.
Conclusion
When your home has a bronze faucet in the kitchen or bathroom, your home has a truly elegant look, however, this means that you’ll require a particular cleaning to maintain its appearance. It does not matter if you use a soft cloth, vinegar, baking soda, or a paste, it’s important to follow a permanent cleaning.
As well as using the correct method for cleaning your bronze, you’ll need to ensure to polish it and seal it from time to time. Differently, you may end up in a condition in which you’ll need to start a complete restoration underway. Here is how to fix leaky bathtub faucet.
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