How To Take Care of Polished Nickel Hardware

"Let's talk about polished nickel hardware, the reflective finish that adds interest to spaces. It is stylish, sleek, and compliments just about any paint colour you can imagine.
Keeping things simple, polished nickel is typically made by electroplating a layer of nickel onto brass. Its resilience makes it the perfect fit for frequently used household touch points. 
Have you ever considered how to give tarnished hardware some TLC? 
Maybe you have noticed a few stains, or perhaps this is your first time cleaning an item that has gathered years' worth of dirt. It can be a daunting thought but our how-to guide will have your polished nickel hardware shining again in no time! Here's How To Take Care of Polished Nickel Hardware.  
Image Credit @thejonesathome

How to tell if your hardware is polished nickel

There are various tell-tale signs as to whether your polished nickel is high quality. Nickel will repel a magnet. Polished nickel has a distinctive appearance characterised by a shiny, reflective surface that is silvery-white in colour whereas chrome has a cooler slightly blue tint. 

Image Credit: @hoopsandhome

Cleaning No Go's

To help your living finish hardware look its best, there are some mistakes we would recommend avoiding to prevent any damage or make it more challenging to clean. Give these pointers some thought before rolling up your sleeves. 
  • Avoid using abrasive cleaning products including towels, sponges, cleaning sprays, sanitisers, bleach etc. 
  • Avoid letting water sit on polished nickel surfaces for extended periods. Standing water can cause water spots or mineral deposits, which can be difficult to remove and may damage the finish over time.
  • Avoid using excessive amounts of paste which can leave residue present.
  • Don't neglect regular maintenance.  
Image Credit: @modern.traditional.home

How To Clean Polished Nickel Hardware

Pro Tip: Before cleaning remove rings and any other jewellery that could scratch the metal.   

What you will need: 

  • Gloves
  • Soft cloth (microfibre etc)
  • Soft bristled brush such as a toothbrush
  • Silver polish (our old faithful Autosol is perfect which you can find in your local DIY store or Brasso) 
Image Credit @thejonesathome
And that's how you can give your hardware new life and ensure it remains as regal and radiant as the day it graced your home.
Before and after photos will give you an ultimate boost from a job well done, don't forget to tag us on socials so we can see your as-good-as-new hardware ourselves! @yesterhome
If in doubt, drop us an email and we'd be happy to help - contact us at enquiries@yesterhome.co.uk 
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