Care & Maintenance for Your Fixtures
Wondering how to keep your beautiful kitchen and bath fixtures in tip-top shape? Simply click on the category tabs to learn how to care for all types of fixtures and finishes!
Coated Finishes
Clean with mild and non–abrasive liquid detergent* and water. Avoid contact with uncured paint, thinners, acids, solvents, and chemicals.
Maintain by applying a non-abrasive polymer–based wax to protect coating. Apply monthly to exterior hardware. Apply two times a month in coastal areas.
If scratched or finish deteriorates, have the hardware professionally refinished.
*A good mild, non–abrasive liquid detergent is Dawn Pure Essentials.
PVD Finishes*
Clean with mild, non–abrasive liquid detergent and water. Avoid contact with uncured paint, thinners, acids, solvents, glue, stain and chemicals.
*PVD, short for Physical Vapor Disposition, is a manufacturing process where the surface of an object is coated in ion vapor, creating a hard, scratch resistant surface.
Coated Oil–Rubbed Bronze
Clean with mild, non–abrasive liquid detergent and water. Avoid contact with uncured paint, thinners, acids, solvents, glue, stain and chemicals.
Maintain by applying a non–abrasive polymer–based wax.*
*Non–abrasive polymer wax is any liquid wax that is polymer based and will protect the coating. Examples are Auto Magic or Awesome Gloss.
Uncoated Oil–Rubbed Bronze
After installation, treat the hardware with a generous coating of furniture wax.
Chrome Finishes
Clean with a mild liquid detergent. Never use abrasive or chemical–based cleaners.
Vintage/Weathered Finishes
Keep dry. Use a soft cloth to wipe off moisture. Apply a light coating of high quality furniture wax.
Gold Finishes
Clean with a mild liquid detergent and water.
Gold is soft and can scratch easily. To help prevent scratching, regularly clean with warm water and dry fixtures with a chamois.
Exterior Locks
Spray springs and moving parts of the lock with white lithium grease every six months or more frequently if they do not operate smoothly.
Spray the keyway of the cylinder lightly with graphite at the first sign of sticking. Use a drop of cloth to avoid stains from drips. A little goes a long way.
Lubricate exterior locks by opening the door, pushing in the protruding latch and spraying lightly with graphite.
Interior Latches
Lightly spray springs and moving parts of the lock with white lithium grease every six months or more frequently if they do not operate smoothly.
Lubricate interior locks by opening the door, pushing in the protruding latch and spraying lightly with graphite.
Hinges
Push the hinge pin up to the first knuckle. DO NOT completely remove it. Coat with a light spray of lithium grease annually or more frequently if the hinge squeaks.
Ceramic & Vitreous China
Clean with a mild liquid non–abrasive detergent
Avoid abrasive or harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive pads.
Avoid using “Soft Scrub”type cleaners regularly.
Ceramic Weather Glazes
They change over time. Crazing is part of the natural changing process.
Clean with a mild non–abrasive detergent.
Never use abrasive pads, chlorine or harsh chemicals.
Fire Clay
Clean with a mild liquid non–abrasive detergent.
Avoid abrasive or harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive pads.
Avoid using “Soft Scrub”type cleaners regularly.
Granite Polymers, Silicate Quartz Polymers
Rinse and wipe with a clean soft cloth after each use to eliminate water spots, stains, and soap film.
Use a 50–50 solution of water and bleach to remove stubborn stains.
Do not use straight bleach, ammonia, caustic soda solutions, abrasive cleaning agents, steel wool or scouring pads.
Purchase sink grid to avoid potential scratches.
Porcelain Enamel
Clean with mild non–abrasive cleaners.
Purchase sink grid to avoid potential scratches.
Do not use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, chlorine bleach or harsh chemicals to clean.
Acrylic
Clean with a mild, diluted dishwashing liquid.
Do not use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, chlorine bleach or harsh chemicals to clean.
Terrazzo
Clean stains immediately. Remove grease with solvents such as carbon tetrachloride.
Treat stains with household ammonia, hydrogen peroxide or lemon juices.
Cast Iron
Periodically clean with a mild abrasive cleaner such as Soft Scrub. Remove stubborn stains with a soft nylon scrubber.
Do not use steel wool, metal brushes, scrapers or abrasive sponges.
Satin Stainless Steel
Wipe after each use with a soft cloth.
Do not use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, or steel wool.
Letting cleaning agents sit in the sink for long periods of time could stain it.
Purchase a sink grid to protect the bottom.
Minor scratches can be removed using a Scotch Brite pad with a deep cleaning agent (Bon Ami or Zud).
Polished Stainless Steel
Clean with a mild detergent and soft cloth/sponge.
Do not use abrasive scouring pads (Scotch Brite) or steel wool, chlorine bleach, harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.
Copper Sinks & Tubs
Use soap and water to clean sinks with factory baked–on coatings. Do not use copper polish. Uncoated sinks can be polished or left to patina.
Soap Dispensers
Soak dispenser in hot water to loosen old soap.
Toilet Seats
Do not use abrasive cleaners, detergents or products in aerosol cans.
Clean painted wooden seats with mild dishwashing liquid.
Solid Surfacing Materials
Use an ammonia-based cleaner for most stains.
Use an abrasive cleaner and a Scotch Brite pad to remove more difficult stains.
Repair minor scratches with 18–22 grit fin sandpaper and restore finish with an abrasive cleaner and Scotch Brite Pad.
Wood Sinks & Tubs
Dry with a clean cloth after each use to help eliminate the chance of dirt and lime build–up.
Occasionally use a wax or polish in accord with manufacturer instructions.
Do not let water pool because it could damage the wood and eventually break the seal.
Some chemicals used to clean faucets and countertops may/can be harmful to wood products.
Cultured Marble, Granite and Onyx
Clean with a liquid detergent. Restore dull surfaces using a liquid cleaning compound followed by a light application of wax.
Do not use abrasive cleaners, steel wool, scouring pads, scrapers or sandpaper.
Remove difficult stains and buildups with turpentine, denatured alcohol or paint thinner.
Gold Sinks
Use a mild soap (Ivory) and dry with a soft cloth or chamois.
Avoid polishes because they can scratch the plating.
Do not scrub the sink.
Do not use ammonia–based or abrasive cleaners.
A plated finish on gold–plated brass sink can erode over time.
Ceramic Disc Cartridges
Turn on the hot and cold sides of faucets that are not regularly used for 60 seconds.
Do not apply extreme force on the handles to stop dripping.
Supply Stops
Turn the stops off and on every few months.
Spout Aerators
Close drain prior to cleaning (to avoid losing parts). Unscrew aerator. If it’s stuck, cover it with a thick washcloth or rag before using pliers. Gently scrub the inside part with a toothbrush to loosen any foreign materials. Rinse with water and screw the aerator back into the spout. Turn on the water slowly to test for leaks. If it leaks, tighten the aerator until leaking stops.
Exercise care to prevent scratching or bending the aerator with pliers.
Pressure Balanced Tub/Shower Valves
It is normal for a minimal amount of water to drip from the showerhead after shutting the water off. If water drips for longer than three minutes, most likely one of two problems has occurred. The mechanical stop may not be set properly or the cartridge needs replacing.
If the valve has a filter, remove and clean it in accord with manufacturer directions.
In hard water locations, remove the pressure balancing cartridge and soak it in white vinegar.
Thermostatic Valves
Clean filters annually.
Remove mineral deposits by soaking the cartridge in white vinegar for several hours then re–install.
Air Baths
The noise heard when the bath jets are activated is the result of extreme water action and not the operation on the motor. To reduce noise levels, add a small amount of foaming bath powder. The powder serves as an insulator and can help maintain water temperature.
It is normal to feel cold air coming from jets when you sit next to them. This is due to convection. To avoid this occurrence, turn the bath on for five minutes before filling it with water so that the motor is warm when entering the bath.
If the bath is used regularly and correctly ( the purge cycle is always used), the bath needs maintenance quarterly. If the bath is used sporadically or the purge cycle is neglected, monthly maintenance is required.
Clean the tub: Close the drain. Pour 1 quart of white vinegar into the bath. Fill the bath with very hot water 4 inches above the jets and let stand for two to four hours. Turn the jets on and off at 15–second intervals six times. Empty the tub and refill with clean water. Repeat the on–off procedure two to three times. Drain the bath.
Jetted Tubs
Clean the circulation system with a jetted tub cleaner every two to three weeks.
Water Closets (Toilets)
To clean the bowl, use a toilet bowl cleaner and brush.
To stop running water, check to assure the flapper is closed. If it appears to be closed, turn off the water at the supply stop.
Remove the tank lid. Clean the flapper with a wet cotton cloth or paper towel. Turn water on at the supply stop. Wait for the tank to fill with water and shut off. Flush the toilet. Watch the tank fill and make sure it shuts off.
Garbage Disposals
Always run cold water when grinding.
Do not attempt to grind clam, mussel or oyster shells, corn husks or other foods with high fiber contents.
Grinding small bones, ice and egg shells help clean the disposer, but most disposers are self cleaning.
Steam Generators
Be proactive by adding an auto drain at the time of purchase since one is not included as standard equipment. The device drains water completely out of the unit at the conclusion of the bath. It also helps to remove debris and sediment.
Point of Use Water Systems
Follow manufacturer recommendations for filter replacement.
Glass Basins
Do not pour scalding hot water into the basin.
Clean with an ammonia–free glass cleaner.