How to Take Care of Chrome
Chrome is a shiny, metallic substance used in homes for bathroom and kitchen fixtures, and for details on bicycles and vehicles. Household items may also be made of or decorated with chrome. Chrome has a tendency to rust if you don't care for it well. It also loses its trademark shine as it collects water marks and gets dirty. Cleaning and shining up chrome has the effect of making it look polished and new. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda in 1/2 gallon of water. Use this solution to remove hard water deposits on chrome in bathrooms and the kitchen. Wet a sponge with the solution and wipe the chrome clean. For more caked on deposits, use the solution with an old toothbrush to scrub them away. Rinse and polish with a dry cloth.
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Polish and condition chrome with baby oil. Apply a small amount of baby oil to a dry, clean cloth and rub it onto clean chrome. Conditioning chrome helps keep it from rusting.
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Dry chrome fixtures with a cloth after every use. This will keep deposits and water spots from forming, and also prevent rust.
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Cut a hand-sized square of aluminum foil and hold it in your hand with the shiny side facing out. Polish the chrome while removing rust by dipping the foil in water and rubbing it all over the metal until the rust is gone and the piece is shining. The foil is softer than the chrome, so it will not scratch the surface. Wipe the piece with a clean, damp cloth when you're done, then dry.
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Wipe the chrome with a paper towel, then apply a chrome polish as directed on the bottle. Wipe the chrome polish on with a cloth, then buff it off. This is an added layer of protection that is especially necessary for chrome on bicycles and vehicles, which are exposed to the elements more than chrome household faucets and other features.
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References
- Photo Credit PhotoObjects.net/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
