How to Clean a Faucet Head and Sink Handles, According to Experts

You know it's important to give your kitchen and bathroom sinks a thorough cleaning on a regular basis, but the job extends beyond just the basin to the faucet head and handles as well. Like the other parts of your sink, this is where bacteria, stains and gunk build up – and the faucet head in particular is prone to limescale and mineral deposits that can affect water flow.

To keep these parts looking and functioning at their best, you'll want to keep them in top shape when you clean your bathroom and kitchen. Read on to learn how to clean your faucet head and sink handles (the right way, of course!), according to our experts' recommendations.

How to clean a faucet head

To clean a faucet head, gather a few common household ingredients, says Leanne Stapf, COO of The Cleaning Authority. “My go-to faucet cleaner is baking soda—it's great for freshening up your stainless steel appliances and items,” she says. “Be sure to rinse it well so no dirt or streaks are left behind.”

Another key remedy is vinegar, as it removes limescale and mineral deposits, says Jennifer Parnell, co-founder of Humble Suds—but be careful of your faucet's surface. “If your faucet can withstand the acidity of vinegar, it's the best option for cleaning your faucet head,” she says.

Vinegar should not be left on chrome for more than two hours and on nickel, gold or brass for more than 30 minutes, says Parnell. “For example, if vinegar is left on the surface for too long, it can damage the finish of chrome surfaces by instantly wearing them away,” she says.

Required materials

• Vinegar
• Quart plastic bag
• rubber band
• toothbrush
• baking powder

Instructions

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

1. Fill a plastic bag half with water and half with vinegar, making sure there is enough liquid to submerge the faucet head.
2. Place the bag filled with liquid over the faucet head and secure it with a rubber band.
3. Leave to work for 30 minutes to an hour. For more sensitive faucet surfaces, do not leave to work for longer than 30 minutes. You can also add a few tablespoons of baking soda for extra cleaning power.
4. After removing the bag, run hot water and scrub away any loose debris with the toothbrush.
5. Wipe down the faucet with soapy water or a mild pH-neutral cleaner like Humble Suds All-Purpose Cleaner. You can also scrub around the crevices with a toothbrush to make sure they are thoroughly cleaned.

How to remove stains and deposits caused by hard water

If you're having trouble removing stubborn hard water stains and deposits—and your water flow is compromised—consider using citric acid powder. But be careful: Some faucets are intolerant to this ingredient, and it can cause eye irritation, says Parnell.

Required materials

• Citric acid powder
• Hand towel
• Tongs
• toothbrush
• Vinegar

Instructions

Follow these steps to remove limescale stains from faucets:

1. Dissolve about 3/4 cup of citric acid in about 1 gallon of boiling water and fill a plastic bag with the mixture.
2. Secure the plastic bag over the faucet with a rubber band.
3. If you can't put a bag over your faucet, you can spray this cleaning solution on limescale. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, scrub as needed, then wipe with soap and water. Do not use near soft, porous surfaces such as marble, granite, and soapstone.
4. If water flow is still poor, remove the faucet aerator (the small screen at the end of the spout) and clean it, says Parnell. Carefully unscrew the aerator. If it's stuck, use pliers — but place a towel around the aerator so you don't scratch the surface — and gently twist it.
5. Soak the aerator in vinegar for 30 minutes and scrub away the deposits with a toothbrush.
6. Rinse under water and reattach to the faucet.

How to clean faucet handles

Don't forget to clean your faucet handles, too. Regularly cleaning the outside and handles of your faucet will keep away limescale, mold, and germs. “This should be part of your weekly cleaning routine,” says Parnell.

Materials required

• A mild pH-neutral cleaner
• Microfiber cloth
• toothbrush

Instructions

Here are Parnell's best tips for cleaning faucet handles:

1. Spray the fittings with a mild, pH-neutral cleaner and allow it to work for a few minutes.
2. Scrub the edges of the faucets with the toothbrush.
3. Wipe and polish the handles of the faucets with the microfiber cloth.
4. For stubborn water stains, spray a mixture of 2 to 3 tablespoons of citric acid and water.

Why it is important to clean your faucet head

Because faucets are our main source of water, they need to be cleaned every few months to prevent the buildup of dirt, debris and limescale, says Parnell. “Over time, mineral deposits of calcium and magnesium, as well as grime, can build up,” she says. “These minerals not only cause limescale and stains, but they also slow down the flow of water.”