Diet coco cola to clean chrome door handlesA bright, reflective finish, chrome has become an increasingly popular finish for door handles, fixtures, appliances, and fittings throughout many properties.

Unfortunately, as a soft metal, chrome can be susceptible to damage, particularly when cleaned with harsh, abrasive chemicals. Additionally, with a reflective, mirrored finish, dirt, marks, tarnishing, and stains appear more evident than other finishes.

Fortunately, maintaining the cleanliness and shine of your chrome door handles is relatively easy when you have adequate know-how. With regular upkeep, you can improve your chrome door handle's quality, style, and lifespan.

Our experts here at Hiatt Hardware have put together three easy to follow methods of cleaning chrome door handles. Our guides will outline everything you will need to know, from what supplies you will need to handy tips and tricks to enhance the shine of your handles.

Our methods will use everyday supplies you most likely have sitting in your kitchen cupboards. With no need to purchase new cleaning products or tools, our experts will show you how to clean your handles using everyday household items.

Quick, simple, and easy to follow, our guides will show you that cleaning your chrome handles is a much easier process than you may think. By following our guide, we're confident you will have sparkling, stunning handles in no time.

 

Method 1: Warm, soapy water

This first technique is by far the easiest. Requiring only warm water, dish soap and two soft cloths, you can save time, money, and effort by following this method.

What You Will Need:

  • Warm water
  • 2 Soft cloths
  • Dish soap
  • Natural wax (optional)

 

warm water with soap to clean chrome handles

Steps to follow:

  1. Remove any dust or debris from the handle.
  2. In the bowl, combine the water and dish soap. You want to make sure your dish soap is of good quality. Many cheaper brands may contain salt, which can promote tarnishing.
  3. Dampen the soft cloth in the warm water and wipe over the handle.
  4. Use your second dry cloth to dry the handle.
  5. Apply a light coating of natural wax to add extra shine (optional).

 

Method 2: Lemon & Baking Soda

Due to chrome's fragility, using heavier cleaning solutions can cause damage. So instead, combining lemon and baking soda produces a lightly abrasive paste – ideal for removing stubborn marks or stains on your chrome handles.

What you will need:

  • Maximum of 1/2tsp lemon juice
  • 1tsp of baking soda
  • Two soft cloths
  • Warm filtered water
  • Natural wax (optional) 

 

use lemon and baking soda to clean chrome handles

Steps to follow:

  1. Mix a tiny amount of lemon juice and baking soda in a bowl until it forms a thick paste. Use a minimal amount of lemon juice at a time, as this can be harsh in large quantities.
  2. Cover the handle in a thin layer of paste.
  3. Let the paste settle for 2-3 minutes. 
  4. Wipe away the paste using a soft cloth.
  5. Using clean, warm water, remove any paste leftover from the handle. 
  6. Use a clean cloth to polish the handle and improve its shine. 
  7. Wipe a thin layer of wax over the surface of the handle for extra protection (optional). 

 

Method 3: Using Diet Coca-Cola

An unusual but effective method is to use Diet Coca-Cola. Diet Coca-Cola is carbonated and contains citric acid. These ingredients allow Diet Coca-Cola to dissolve metal oxides to break up rust or tarnishing. At the same time, the citric acid found in Coca-Cola is an effective stain remover.

Diet Coca-Cola is less sticky than regular. Therefore, you will spend less time cleaning the residue left behind from the sugar by choosing to use Diet Coca-Cola.

What you will need:

  • Maximum of 300ml of Diet Coca Cola
    • Let the Diet Coca-Cola sit for a moment, so it is flat and not fizzy
  • Two soft cloths
  • Warm water
  • Natural wax (optional)

 

diet coco cola to clean chrome handles

Steps to follow:

  1. Pour some of the Diet Coca-Cola onto the handle.
  2. Softly rub it over the area with a soft cloth.
  3. Continue to repeat this process until you achieve your desired result.
  4. Wipe down the handle with some warm water to remove any leftover residue.
  5. Dry off the handle with another soft cloth.
  6. Rub a thin layer of natural wax into the handle to improve its shine (optional).

Extra top tips for cleaning your door handles:

For added flair, try these quick tips to improve the splendour and glow of your handles:

  1. Remove any dust or debris before cleaning.
  2. Move from side to side and top to bottom when cleaning.
  3. Dry your handles from top to bottom. Doing so will avoid any streaks or watermarks.
  4. Pick a clear, dry day to clean any exterior handles.

 

regular wiping of dust on handles

 

To Conclude:

We are confident that by following our easy techniques, you will restore your door handles to their original glory in no time.

Our methods are safe, practical, and economical. They are an easy way to improve the cleanliness, shine and lifespan of your chrome handles.

Try out our techniques and transform your chrome door handles into sparkling, vibrant door handles every time.