How to Clean a Faucet Head and Your Sink's Handles

Aug 15, 2023

Remove smudges, water stains, and mineral deposits in no time with our tips.

You know that it's important to give your kitchen and bathroom sinks a thorough clean regularly, but the job extends beyond the basin. You need to give the same level of care to the faucet head and handles, too. Like the other parts of your sink, these pieces accumulate bacteria, stains, and smudges—and the faucet head in particular is susceptible to hard water deposits and mineral buildup, which could impact your water flow.

To ensure these parts look and work their best, make sprucing them up a key part of your bathroom cleaning routine. Read on to learn how to clean your faucet head and handles (the right way, of course!), according to our experts.

Since faucets are our primary source for water, it's necessary to clean them every few months to prevent a buildup of dirt, debris, and hard water deposits, says Jennifer Parnell, co-founder of Humble Suds, a line of non-toxic, plant-based cleaning products. "Over time, mineral deposits from calcium and magnesium, as well as dirt, can build up," she says. "Not only do these minerals cause hard water deposits and stains, but they also slow your water flow."

In order to clean a faucet head, you'll want to round up a few common household ingredients, says Leanne Stapf, COO of The Cleaning Authority. "My go-to when cleaning faucets is baking soda—it's great for freshening your stainless-steel appliances and items," she says. "Make sure to rinse it well so you don't leave behind any dirt or streaks."

Another essential is vinegar, as it removes hard water deposits and mineral buildup, says Parnell—but mind your faucet's finish. "If your fixture can withstand the acidity of vinegar, it is the best option for cleaning your faucet head," she says. "For example, vinegar can damage chrome finishes by eating the finish right off if left on the surface for too long." Vinegar should not be left on chrome for more than two hours, and this ingredient should not be left on nickel, gold, or brass for over 30 minutes, Parnell explains.

Follow these expert-approved steps to clean your faucet head:

If you're having trouble removing stubborn hard water stains and clogging deposits—and your water flow has been impacted—consider using powdered citric acid. However, proceed with caution: Some faucets will not be able to withstand this ingredient, and it can cause eye irritation, says Parnell.

Here are the steps to remove hard water stains from faucets:

Don't forget to clean your faucet's handles, too. Regularly cleaning the faucet's exterior and handles keeps hard water deposits, mildew and mold, and germs at bay. "This should be part of your weekly cleaning routine," says Parnell.

Here are Parnell's best tips to clean faucet handles: