How to Make Your Faucet Shine: Quick & Easy Non-Toxic DIY Cleaner!

Want to know the secret? Read on to learn how to make your own!

1. GATHER YOUR INGREDIENTS

This might just be the easiest recipe I’ve ever come up with! Here's what you'll need:

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Lemon, cut in half or quarters
• 3 tablespoons Baking soda
• 1 tablespoon Borax
• (Optional) Hydrogen Peroxide – perfect for getting rid of those old, stubborn brown stains

TOOLS:

• A small container for mixing the baking soda and borax
• A tablespoon
• A sponge or soft scrubber

2. CUT YOUR LEMON IN HALF AND START RUBBING!

Grab a fresh lemon and cut it in half — you probably won’t even need the whole thing! Here's what to do next:

Rub the lemon over your faucet, letting the juice sit for a few minutes.

It should start to lift the hard water stains almost immediately.

For stubborn spots, feel free to go in for a second pass!

Rinse with warm water and wipe clean with a sponge.

TIP: For those tricky, hard-to-reach areas, slice the lemon into quarters for better control.

CAUTION: Avoid using a Brillo pad or any hard scrubbers — they can scratch your faucet!

3. DIY BB MIX TO MAKE YOUR FAUCET SPARKLING CLEAN!

Okay, it’s looking better, but there’s still that dish soap grime lingering. That’s where the BB MIX (aka baking soda & borax) comes in to save the day! Here’s how to whip it up:

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of borax

TIP: Use the back of the spoon or your fingers to break up any clumps until they dissolve.

Almost done! But wait—if you’ve read my other posts, you know I’m all about labeling my concoctions. Grab some tape and a marker, and note the ingredients, proportions, and today’s date.

And, don’t forget to give the mix a name! Something simple like "All-Purpose Cleaner" or "BAKING SODA + BORAX MIX" will do the trick.

4. TIME TO DIP THE LEMON IN YOUR BB MIX

Grab a fresh piece of lemon and dip it right into your BB (baking soda + borax) mix.

TIP: For those tricky, smaller areas, you can slice the lemon into quarters or even eighths to get better access.

5. RUB THAT LEMON ON THE FAUCET AGAIN!

Now, we’re ready to get back to rubbing!

If you loved the first round of lemon-love, you’ll enjoy this part too. Start rubbing the areas that are still dirty while gently squeezing the lemon for that fresh citrus scent—so refreshing!

Honestly, it was such a pleasant surprise, I almost wanted to clean all my faucets at once... almost! Luckily, I managed to resist the urge! 😉

TIP: Use circular motions like when you're washing dishes. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before wiping off.

Next up? Cleaning the sink! For details on how to remove the above concoction, head to STEP 8.

6. GIVE YOUR SINK SOME LEMON & BB LOVE TOO!

If your sink looks anything like mine (spoiler: it’s dirty!), you’ll want to use the BB (baking soda + borax) mix with the lemon here too. If not, skip this step and the next, and head straight to STEP 8 to wipe off the faucet.

For those of us dealing with sink grime, dip a new lemon wedge into the BB mix and start scrubbing!

Focus on the dirtiest spots, squeezing the lemon as you rub, and keep re-dipping to get that BB love working deep into those stubborn stains.

TIP: Use as many lemon pieces as you need. I went through an entire lemon for my double sink!

7. READY FOR A COFFEE (OR TEA) BREAK?

Yes, you heard me right—it's break time!

Grab a coffee and your favorite treat, and relax. We’ll be back in 15-30 minutes. You absolutely deserve it; cleaning is not for sissies!

I indulged in a little chocolate fix while I was waiting. Yum!

TIP: If your faucets aren't heavily soiled, there's no need to leave the BB mix on for long. Feel free to wipe it off as soon as you finish applying it.

8. WIPE IT OFF TO REVEAL A SPARKLING FAUCET!

I know you’re excited to see your newly refreshed faucet, but first, let’s wipe off that Lemon Love BB Rub!

Grab your sponge or soft scrubber, dip it in water, and start removing the Lemon Rub.

CAUTION: Avoid using hard scrubbers or Brillo pads, as they can scratch your faucet.

TIP: Rinse your sponge as it gets dirty and squeeze out the excess water before each use.

Work your way around the faucet to unveil the sparkle, and don’t forget to continue with the sink if you’ve decided to clean it too!

9. SPRAY HYDROGEN PEROXIDE TO GET RID OF PESKY STAINS!

You know those stubborn brown stains that sometimes show up in old enamel sinks? They often appear after using drain opener or bleach, and no matter how hard you try, they just won’t budge.

If you still have these pesky stains after using the Lemon BB Rub, grab some hydrogen peroxide (look for a bottle containing 3% peroxide) to tackle them.

10. MAKE A PASTE BY MIXING BAKING SODA/BORAX & PEROXIDE

After you’ve sprayed the stains, grab your BB (baking soda + borax) mix—or just plain baking soda—and rub some into the sprayed area.

If you prefer, you can also spray the peroxide into the BB mix to create a paste for applying to the stained area.

No matter which method you choose, let it sit for 30-60 minutes before wiping it off with a sponge. That should do the trick!

TIP: If the stain still lingers, feel free to apply a second round.

You know what? This turned out to be a bit more work than I expected, but it was all worth it! I finally have a sparkling vintage sink, just the way I like it.

I hope you can achieve the same shine too—happy cleaning!