Your plumbing fittings (faucets and valves) obviously are quite visible and often are a significant part of your interior décor scheme. So you want them to look good as well as as work well. Be careful, then, how you clean them. Here’s a few tips for your fitting finishes.

The best modern fittings are made of chrome-plated brass. They will last a lifetime under everyday use. You can clean them easily with soap and water. But careful, though. Never use hydrochloric or muriatic acid on them because these acids dissolve chromium.

While muriatic acid has been considered a good cleaner for tile, use it only where you have nickel-plated plumbing fixtures. If you have chrome-plated fixtures in your bath rooms, clean the tile with warm oxalic acid, never with muriatic or sulfuric acid. Even if you cover your chromium surfaces, these acid fumes can get through and inflict permanent damage.

Polished brass fittings and trim have been gaining popularity in recent years. They too will hold up well as long as you’re careful about cleaning them. Don’t use any abrasive cleaners on brass because they can scratch through the protective coating on the brass finish, resulting in deterioration or pitting of the brass plating. Also avoid solvent-based cleaners because they too can harm your polished brass.

New technologies have led to other, “improved” finishes designed to withstand more wear. Still, check the manufacturer’s warranty information to find out if you have one of these finishes, what is recommended for cleaning and if you have a lifetime warranty.