If you’ve been dreaming of installing a black faucet in your kitchen then it will be a great choice. As black faucets are stylish and they will enhance the look of your kitchen and also they blend with any décor.
But when we think about black faucets, the first thing that comes to mind is “are they hard to keep clean”. So the answer is no. Black faucets are not hard to keep clean, I’ll say what they require is extra care.
If you are a person that loves to clean even if there is no dirt or stain, you won’t face any problems with a black faucet.
The only sad thing about black faucets is you won’t see dirt or stain build-up at first because they are dark.
You will assume that everything looks good and not be so serious about cleaning. Then you suddenly look at it from a different angle and realize that the tiny problem had time to build its way into a monumental problem now that requires a lot of scrubbing and wiping to clean up.
If you love black faucets, you can buy them. But you’ll have to clean them whether they look neat and tidy.
Other than that if you are choosing a black faucet then always go for the matte finish.
Do Black Kitchen Faucets Show Water Spots?
Compared to other faucets, dust and dirt are easily visible on black faucets. If we talk about glossy or high-shine faucet finishes like chrome or stainless steel, water spots are less noticeable.
So it’s true that water spots can be a little noticeable on black faucets.
But the best thing about black faucets is you can easily remove water spots by just wiping the faucet. All you need to do is fill the bowl with water, add some dish soap liquid and mix it properly.
Use a soft microfiber cloth to clean the faucet. After cleaning the faucet, dry it with a clean microfiber cloth.
Tip – To avoid water spots on the black faucet, make sure to wipe the faucet on daily basis.
Is Hard Water A Factor When It Comes To Black Kitchen faucets?
If you live in a hard water area then water stains could be easily seen on black faucets as compared to chrome, brass, or stainless steel.
Basically, hard water contains a high amount of minerals like calcium and magnesium and these minerals are easily noticeable on black faucets.
It will usually leave a white chalky stain on the faucet, which indicates that you have hard, not soft water.
However, you can easily remove hard water by just regularly cleaning your faucet.
But the permanent solution for treating hard water is installing a whole-house water softener. Installing a water softener system is one of the most effective and efficient solutions.
So if you want to install a black faucet in a hard water area then make sure to install a water softener.
How To Clean Black Kitchen Faucets?
Black faucets are easy to clean and you won’t need any cleaning products or harsh chemicals to get the job done. It’s always better to keep things simple.
To get the best results, just stick with a simple soap solution.
Make a solution with cleaning detergent (dish soap) diluted in warm water. Once you are ready with the solution. Then dip the soft microfiber cloth into the soapy water to wipe down the faucet.
I recommend that you should only use microfiber cloth because they are soft, cheap, and do the job perfectly. And also they will not scratch your beautiful faucet. Make sure to clean the area surrounding the base of the faucet.
Then simply rinse the faucet with water so that it won’t leave behind a white residue.
Dos And Don’ts For Cleaning The Black Kitchen Faucet?
Here are some dos and don’ts that need to be followed when cleaning your black kitchen faucet.
Things To Do When Cleaning A Black Kitchen Faucet
Use Simple Soap Solution
There are various chemicals that can ruin the black finish of the faucet. Unfortunately, these chemicals are found in commercial cleaning products.
That’s why simple soap water is the safest and most effective way to clean black faucets.
All you have to do is, fill the bucket with water and add some standard dish soap. Make sure that dish soap is not acidic, it should be pH-balanced.
Once you added the soap, mix it properly. Then dip the soft microfiber cloth into the soapy water, and use it to clean your faucet.
Use Gentle Cloth For Cleaning
Always remember that scratches can be developed on any type of finish, and a black finish is no exception.
Whether you are using common cleaning tools like brushes, scouring pads, and rough sponges that can even scratch your faucet. That’s why the better tool for cleaning your black faucet is a simple microfiber cloth.
Rinse the faucet with water
When you wash your faucet with dish soap, you should immediately rinse them with water and dry them properly.
Because water spots or residue may leave behind after cleaning with dish soap and it can ruin your fresh cleaning job.
Make sure that you should always use a clean and soft microfiber cloth to dry the faucet. Don’t use anything rough or textured because it can leave scratches on your faucet.
Wipe The Fixture After Every Use
You should wipe off your fixtures after every usage to minimize chemical buildup and water spots. This is the best way to prevent the faucet from fading and will increase the longevity of your black faucet.
Do Clean Outer Surfaces Before Inner Surfaces
When you think of cleaning your kitchen faucet. You always give attention to outer surfaces but you have to clean inner surfaces too.
If you want your faucet to run properly then clean both inner and outer surfaces.
Now if you are using the same cloth for cleaning inner and outer surfaces then clean the outer surface first.
Because inner areas have more calcium buildup, grime, and other particles. If you transfer those particles to the outer surfaces of the faucet, they could scratch or ruin your finish.
That’s why you should always clean outer surfaces before inner surfaces.
Read The Manufacturer’s Instructions
If you have any doubts related to cleaning your black faucet or maybe you don’t know which type of product you should use to clean your faucet then simply read the manufacturer’s instructions.
Now if you don’t have the original copy, you can find it online because most of the instructions are available online.
The manufacturer themselves know which type of material they are using to create their matte black finish.
Thus, they know better what type of products and methods will clean their faucet effectively without damaging the fixture.
Also, many manufacturers provide some kind of warranty for your faucet, so staying away from the manufacturer’s instructions will ruin your warranty.
Things To Avoid When Cleaning A Black Kitchen Faucet
Avoid using acids
You should always avoid using acids on your black faucet. Because acids can damage the finish, even if your faucet is made up of high-quality brands.
Also, it may leave uneven patches on your faucet and these patches will make your faucet look older and ruin the finish.
In exceptional cases, you can use vinegar for removing stubborn water spots.
But make sure that, the vinegar should be heavily diluted and there are some methods to use to avoid damage, which we had discussed below.
Avoid using cleaning products with filling agents
Now, this is advice for all people. Because many people don’t understand that some black faucets are made up of matte finish and these filling agents could be critical for this type of finish.
Basically, manufacturers create a matte finish by adding a tiny texture of bumps, valleys, and ridges. When the light hit the surface, this texture helps to avoid the strong reflection and you can see a smooth surface.
There are some products like waxes, and glass cleaners that contain filling agents, and these products are used to make the surface shinier.
However, these products are good for granite countertops and mirrors but they can create uneven patches on a matte black finish.
Don’t go excessively using vinegar
As we had already discussed above, vinegar is the only acid you can use on a matte black finish. However, it is only required in specific conditions.
Vinegar is good for removing stubborn water spots. But using excessive vinegar could damage your faucet. So before using it, follow these steps carefully.
First, you need to dilute the vinegar in equal proportions. A solution of 50 % vinegar and 50 % water is good enough to work and also proper dilution will avoid damage.
Take a soft microfiber cloth and dip it into the solution and gently wipe the faucet to remove the water spots. Once you wipe the faucet, dry it with a clean microfiber cloth.
Never use general-purpose cleaners
If you see a product like general-purpose cleaners or all-purpose cleaners, you may think, you can use it on anything in the kitchen or bathroom. But the name is a bit of an overstatement.
Because the ingredients used in these products are either acid, filling agents, or both. However, they are good for most surfaces but they can damage a black finish or matte black finish.
Eventually, if you know all the ingredients present in the cleaner then there is no risk of using it. For example, dish soap is the best cleaner for your faucet, so avoid using harsh cleaners.
Don’t use textured cleaning cloths or brushes
Never use textured cleaning cloths or brushes on your faucet.
Whether your faucet is made of a high-quality brand, any faucet can scratch and a matte black faucet is no exception.
So always avoid using scratchy items, brushes, or any cloth that has rough textured.