Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Clean with water
• Method 2 of 4: Using a commercially available cleaner
• Method 3 of 4: Clean with vinegar
• Method 4 of 4: Using ammonia
• Warnings
• Necessities

Metal is often nickel plated to give it a durable and decorative protective layer. Many machine parts are nickel-plated, as are objects around the house such as grilles, door hinges and taps. When grease stains appear on the nickel and it starts to become dull, you will need to clean it. By first cleaning the nickel with warm water, using a metal cleaner for stubborn stains and then brushing the nickel, the nickel layer will remain strong and beautifully shiny for years to come.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Clean with water

1. Polish the nickel with a soft cloth. Before you try anything else, check how much dirt you can remove by removing the nickel. You can simply wipe away many grease stains, smudges and dirt particles with a cloth and a little warm running water. Wipe off the nickel layer with a soft, non-abrasive cloth, taking particular care of the dirty areas and applying extra pressure. Brush away the dirt with small circular motions.
2. Prepare a mixture of water and soap. A mixture of water and soap is always milder than an acid. So always try to clean the nickel layer with it first. Choose a mild dish soap. Fill a bucket with warm water and add the detergent until the water starts to foam. Hot water, cold water, and abrasive soap will all damage the nickel layer.
3. Clean the nickel layer. You can decide for yourself how to do this and it depends on how much soap suds you have. You can clean small objects in or next to a bucket of soapy water. For larger objects such as a nickel-plated stove or an immovable object such as a shower head, dip a soft cloth in the water and wipe the stains with it.
   • Do not use a scouring brush or a similar tool, as this will damage the nickel layer.
4. Rinse off the soapy water. Hold the nickel-plated object under a hot tap. For larger items that you cannot move, use more clean water. Pour the water on the object or dip a soft, clean cloth in the water to remove the suds.
   • Try to do this once a year to minimize staining and stress the nickel layer as little as possible.
5. Dry the object. Go over the wet areas with a soft, clean cloth. Make sure to dry the item completely so that the water doesn't soak into the nickel layer. You can now also see if there is still soap on the nickel that you need to rinse away. Keep rubbing the nickel with the cloth until it is dry.

Method 2 of 4: Using a commercially available cleaner

1. Polish with metal polish. If the nickel layer isn't dirty enough to use more aggressive cleaning agents, apply a non-abrasive metal polish to the nickel. Chrome polish works very well for cleaning nickel. Apply a small amount of the compound to the nickel layer and then wipe the surface in circular motions, just as you did when cleaning.
   • You can also try this step after using other cleaning methods to make the nickel shine so beautifully.
2. Apply metal cleaner to discolored areas. Look for a non-abrasive metal cleaner at the store. A chrome cleaner works very well for cleaning nickel. Apply the cleaner to the stains, especially the green discolorations that develop very easily on nickel. Let the product work for a minute.
   • You can also use WD-40. This remedy removes oil.
   • Another option is to use oven cleaner. Such a remedy works well for removing fat.
   • It may be a good idea to test this method in a small, inconspicuous place. A very thin nickel layer will be damaged if you use steel wool or a scouring brush.
3. Scrub the nickel coating. After applying a commercially available cleaner, try spreading it over the coat with a cloth. You can also use steel wool or a soft scouring pad to remove stubborn stains and discoloration. Make small circular movements to let the cleaner soak in. Be as careful as possible to avoid scratching the metal.

Method 3 of 4: Clean with vinegar

1. Soak a cloth in vinegar. Vinegar is a mild acid that is very effective at removing stains. Pour a small amount of vinegar into a bowl. Soak a clean, soft cloth in the vinegar. Then wring out the cloth.
2. Scrub the dirty areas. Run the vinegar-soaked cloth over the nickel and try to gently buff away the stains. Make circular movements and apply light pressure to minimize the load on the nickel. Soak the cloth again with vinegar when necessary.
3. Make a vinegar and water mixture. To remove stubborn stains, you may need to soak the nickel in a vinegar and water mixture. In a bucket or other container, mix four parts water with one part vinegar. Make sure the bucket is large enough to hold the nickel-plated item or the amount of water and vinegar you will need to remove the stains.
   • Do not use pure vinegar. Vinegar is often too aggressive to treat a thin nickel layer for a long time.
   • A nickel coating is easily damaged by acids, so don't use vinegar too often to remove stubborn stains.
   • You can heat the mixture to make it slightly more powerful. Only do this if you don't soak the item in it.
4. Soak the nickel in the mixture. Soak the nickel-plated object in the mixture for several hours. The stains should disappear. You can also pour the vinegar mixture over the object and let it soak for half an hour. Repeat if necessary.
5. Rinse off the nickel coating. Use warm running water or a soft cloth that you have moistened. Make sure to rinse away all the vinegar. If vinegar remains on the nickel, the vinegar will continue to bite into it. If necessary, wipe the nickel layer with a second cloth to ensure all vinegar residue is removed.

Method 4 of 4: Using ammonia

1. Soak a sponge with ammonia. Ammonia, like vinegar, works very well to remove stains. Place a small amount of pure household ammonia in a bowl. Then add a scouring pad or cloth.
2. Scrub the dirty areas. Gently run the scouring pad or cloth over the object. Scrub vigorously over areas with stubborn stains. This is best done on objects made entirely of nickel, otherwise the scouring pad and cleaner will rub too hard.
3. Make a mixture of ammonia and water. To make a more powerful mixture, mix one part ammonia with three parts water. Never immerse the nickel-plated object in pure ammonia. After half an hour, the nickel layer will start to flake and come off.
4. Soak the object in the mixture. Place the item in the bucket or bowl. You can also pour the mixture over the object. Leave the object in the ammonia mixture for up to half an hour.
5. Rinse off the nickel coating. Rinse the ammonia away with warm running water. You can also use a clean soft cloth dampened with warm water. Rinse the nickel-plated item with warm water or run a cloth over it to remove any residual ammonia.

Warnings

• Take safety precautions when working with chemicals such as ammonia. Wear rubber gloves and a mask over your nose and mouth. Work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
• Never mix different chemicals. Many combinations create dangerous fumes.

Necessities

• Soft cloth
• WD-40 or metal cleaner
• Fine steel wool or scouring pad
• Vinegar or ammonia
• Warm water
• Bowls and buckets
• Oven cleaner
• Metal polish