6 Ways to Clean and Polish Chrome, According to Cleaning Experts

Chrome has a pretty spectacular shine, so it’s no wonder that it’s become a hot commodity in homes and on vehicles (i.e., motorcycles). However, the chrome metal’s softness can make it susceptible to damage, and its clear finish doesn’t do much to disguise any dirt or gunk. Fortunately, you can clean chrome with several non-abrasive household items, and even polish it up for a gleaming finish! With the help of house cleaning professionals Raymond Chiu and James Sears, we’ve put together this simple step-by-step guide to cleaning every chrome surface you can find.

What’s the best way to clean chrome?

Housecleaning professional Raymond Chiu recommends combining equal parts warm water and white vinegar, then dampening a microfiber cloth with the solution and wiping down the chrome. Other cleaning solutions include applying dish soap, lemon juice, baking soda, ketchup, and even Coca-Cola.

Section 1 of 7:

6 Ways to Clean Chrome Fixtures & Surfaces

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Clean the chrome with a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water. “The most practical and effective” cleaning method for chrome is to “use white vinegar as your cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth to gently scrub the vinegar on the metal surface,” says Sears. ^{[1]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview} To follow Sears’ method, combine equal parts distilled white vinegar and water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar solution directly onto your chrome material, then let it sit for a few minutes. After 2-3 minutes have passed, wipe the chrome clean with a microfiber cloth and rinse well with water. Finish your cleaning process by thoroughly drying the chrome with a clean and dry microfiber cloth.
- Chiu also endorses this method, saying it’s “a great option.” ^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Raymond Chiu
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview}
Meet the wikiHow Experts

James Sears is a house cleaning professional at Neatly, a cleaning company that provides green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services.

Raymond Chiu is a house cleaning professional and the owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service, a company that’s earned a reputation as one of the most reliable and best cleaning services in the industry.
Mix 3-4 drops of a mild, unscented dish soap into a bowl of warm water. Then, dip a clean microfiber cloth into the soapy water. Use this dampened cloth to wipe down the chrome surface and remove visible dirt and grime. If there’s still some gunk or residue stuck on the chrome, gently scrub the metal surface with a soft sponge or non-abrasive cleaning brush . Lastly, rinse the chrome surface thoroughly with water and dry it completely with a clean microfiber cloth—otherwise, you may end up with water spots on your newly-cleaned chrome! ^{[3]
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Fill a bowl with water and add baking soda—one spoonful at a time—until a paste is formed. Use a microfiber cloth or soft sponge to apply the baking soda paste to your chrome surface. Gently move the cloth or sponge in circular motions to scrub the chrome and lift any dirt or staining. Once the chrome is clean, rinse it with water and dry it completely with a clean and dry microfiber cloth. ^{[4]
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Rub a cut lemon onto a chrome surface to naturally clean it. Lemon works well as a chrome cleaner, according to Sears, because it’s “slightly acidic, non-toxic, and safe to consume.” ^{[5]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview} To clean your chrome with lemon juice, cut a lemon in half and rub the cut side onto the chrome surface. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then wipe the surface clean with a microfiber cloth. Make sure you’ve wiped all of the lemon juice away, then rinse the surface thoroughly and dry it completely with a clean microfiber cloth. ^{[6]
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Wipe down your chrome surfaces with Coca-Cola. Wet a clean cloth or sponge with some Coca-Cola (or an off-brand cola product). Then, gently rub the cloth or sponge onto the chrome. Scrub your cleaning tool gently onto any particularly dirty or grimy areas. Then, use water to thoroughly rinse the soda off the chrome and wipe the surface dry with a clean cloth. ^{[7]
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Let ketchup sit on your chrome for 15-30 minutes to break down dirt. Sears offers ketchup as another natural and non-toxic chrome cleaning option that works because it’s “slightly acidic.” ^{[8]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview} To clean your chrome with ketchup, squeeze a small amount onto a microfiber towel or directly onto your chrome surface. Gently spread and rub the ketchup over any areas that need cleaning, then allow it to sit for about 15-30 minutes. Then, wipe the ketchup off completely with a damp cloth or sponge. Rinse the chrome with water and thoroughly dry it with a clean cloth.

Section 2 of 7:

How to Remove Rust or Tarnish from Chrome Surfaces

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Use aluminum foil and baking soda to clean rust or tarnish off chrome . Sprinkle a light layer of baking soda onto any rusted or oxidized areas of your chrome. Then, dampen a piece of aluminum foil and gently rub the foil onto the rusted areas. Once you’ve gently scrubbed every area, wipe them clean with a damp microfiber cloth and rinse the entire surface with water. Use a clean microfiber cloth to thoroughly dry the chrome and prevent any water spots from developing. ^{[9]
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- If you have some stubborn rust that didn’t go away with this method, apply a baking soda and water paste to the rust. Let the paste sit for about 15 minutes, then scrub it off with damp foil or a soft microfiber cloth. Rinse and dry the chrome again.

Section 3 of 7:

How to Polish and Shine Up Chrome Fixtures & Surfaces

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Buff chrome with a cloth and chrome polish, baking soda, or rubbing alcohol. Use one of the above methods to clean your chrome before shining it up. Once your chrome is cleaned and ready to go, apply a small amount of store-bought chrome polish , rubbing alcohol, or a DIY baking soda paste to a clean microfiber cloth. Gently rub the cloth onto your chrome in small, circular motions. Avoid applying too much pressure to the chrome, which could scratch the metal’s surface. ^{[10]
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- If you’re using a chrome polish, follow the product’s package instructions to let it dry out before continuing to buff it.
- Then, use a clean and dry microfiber cloth to buff the surface of your chrome. Make sure that all of your paste, polish, or rubbing alcohol has been absorbed or wiped off.

Section 4 of 7:

How to Prevent Chrome from Rusting

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Prevent oxidized chrome by protecting the surface and cleaning it often. “Chrome is located in many areas of the home, particularly in the bathroom, on faucets, shower heads, hinges, and towel bars,” explains Chiu. “Unfortunately, chrome gets dirty very easily, so it’s important to clean and maintain it frequently.” ^{[11]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview} This will not only help to keep your chrome clean, but it will also help prevent oxidation, rusting, and tarnish. Here are the most important tips for preventing rust on your chrome: ^{[12]
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- Clean chrome once a week. Otherwise, the chrome will just get dirtier and dirtier and have a higher chance of being damaged or beginning to oxidize.
- Polish your chrome at least once a year. Keep your chrome protected and clean by shining it up at least once a year (after cleaning it).
- Protect chrome with the foil and saltwater method. To help protect your chrome surface from rust, dip a crumpled piece of aluminum foil in salty water and rub it onto the chrome. Let it sit for an hour, then wipe the water off.

Section 5 of 7:

What to Avoid When Cleaning Chrome

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Avoid cleaning your chrome with any abrasive cleaners. It’s crucial to use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth when cleaning your chrome. An abrasive scrubber, like steel wool or a rough sponge, could end up scratching your chrome surface. ^{[13]
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Avoid using harsh chemicals on your chrome surfaces. Most recommended chrome cleaners are fairly natural and mild, like dish soap, lemon juice, white vinegar, and baking soda. That’s because harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, that are often included in store-bought cleaners, can cause your chrome to become corroded or dull. ^{[14]
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Avoid leaving your chrome wet after cleaning (or ever!). Always dry your chrome surface after cleaning it, rinsing it, or getting water on it for pretty much any reason. If you don’t thoroughly dry your chrome and a wet substance sits on it, you might end up with water spots and streaks. ^{[15]
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- To prevent water spots, pour a small amount of coconut or baby oil onto a cloth and dab it onto the chrome. The natural oils will help to repel water spots from building up on the surface.

Section 6 of 7:

How to Clean and Polish Chrome on a Motorcycle

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Wipe the chrome with a microfiber cloth soaked in mild detergent and water. Squeeze a few drops of mild cleaning detergen t into a bucket of water. Alternatively, you can use a specialized, bleach- and ammonia-free motorcycle cleaner . Soak a microfiber cloth in your chosen cleaning solution, then use the cloth to gently wipe down the chrome surfaces on your bike. Focus on one part of the bike at a time to make sure you’ve cleaned every area thoroughly. ^{[16]
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- For any stubborn dirt or hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, use a soft-bristle brush that’s been dipped in the cleaning solution.
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Rub vinegar-soaked aluminum foil onto any rusty spots on the chrome. Dip a small piece of aluminum foil in white vinegar, then rub the foil onto any rusted areas on your chrome. Let the vinegar sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse the chrome and dry it completely.
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Thoroughly rinse and dry every chrome surface on your motorcycle. Once you’ve finished cleaning the chrome on your motorcycle, rinse each section with clean water. Make sure you’ve rinsed off all of the soapy residue. Then, use a clean and dry microfiber cloth to thoroughly dry every chrome surface—otherwise, you may end up with water spots. ^{[17]
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Use chrome polish and a clean microfiber cloth to shine and buff your chrome. Apply a dab of chrome polish , per the polish’s manufacturer's instructions, onto a clean microfiber cloth. Then, rub the polish onto the chrome in small, circular motions. Apply gentle pressure and avoid pressing down too hard on the chrome (which could scratch the metal). Once you’ve polished your chrome completely, use a new microfiber cloth to buff the chrome and remove all polish residue. ^{[18]
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Section 7 of 7:

Frequently Asked Questions: Cleaning Chrome

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Can you clean chrome with store-bought chrome cleaners? Yes, but you don’t typically need to. Store-bought cleaners that are specifically designed for chrome can help you clean your surfaces without damage. Chrome cleaners are especially useful if you want to remove heavy tarnish, dirt, or corrosion. However, in most cases and for regular maintenance, household items like dish soap, vinegar, and baking soda can clean chrome just as well! ^{[19]
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Can you clean chrome with WD-40? Yes, you can use WD-40 (applied to a piece of aluminum foil) to remove rust and grime from chrome surfaces. ^{[20]
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Research source} However, WD-40 is not recommended for long-term or repeated use as a chrome cleaner, as it can leave behind a greasy residue.
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What if my chrome surface has limescale buildup? If there’s limescale on your chrome surface, use vinegar to remove it. Simply wipe down with or place the chrome item in some vinegar, and let it sit for 3-4 minutes. Then, rinse the chrome with water and wipe it dry.

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I have a chrome ceiling fixture which has a central spoke and bulbs radiating from it. How should I proceed to clean and polish?

Suhas Mukherjee

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A bucket of hot water, adding soap to it until the surface is filled with bubbles. The type of soap you use for cleaning chrome depends on the application. Although any non-abrasive soap is fine to use with chrome, choose a soap that can be used with the surrounding area as well. A simple household cleaner should be fine for use on chrome.

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Which chemical can I use on chrome plating for shining the product, not polishing?

Suhas Mukherjee

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Polishing aluminum oxide will remove micrograins from the surface of the chrome, leaving it smooth and shiny. Apply this polisher to a towel and scrub it in using a circular motion.

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How do I remove scratch marks from chrome?

Lina DaSilva

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To remove scratch marks from chrome, you'll need a gentle touch and the right materials. Clean the chrome with soapy water, dry it, and assess the scratch. For superficial scratches, use a small amount of chrome polish on a soft cloth and rub in a circular motion. Buff with a clean cloth to shine. Repeat the process for deeper scratches if necessary.

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If you have the option, removing the piece of chrome from its surrounding environment (such as a car) and placing it on a tabletop makes for easier cleaning.

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Clean one section of chrome before moving on to the next. Cleaning the surface section by section will help ensure that you don't miss any spots.

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Certain pieces of chrome, like car tires, will have hard-to-reach areas that require a new approach. For the vast majority of them, applying your soapy water to an old toothbrush and scrubbing the nooks will get the dirt off.

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Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional

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6 Ways to Clean and Polish Chrome, According to Cleaning Experts

What’s the best way to clean chrome?

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6 Ways to Clean Chrome Fixtures & Surfaces

How to Remove Rust or Tarnish from Chrome Surfaces

How to Polish and Shine Up Chrome Fixtures & Surfaces

How to Prevent Chrome from Rusting

What to Avoid When Cleaning Chrome

How to Clean and Polish Chrome on a Motorcycle

Frequently Asked Questions: Cleaning Chrome

Community Q&A

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