Vinegar can definitely work short-term, but I'd be cautious about using it regularly on fixtures with special finishes. I've seen some matte black and brushed brass fixtures lose their sheen or even discolor after repeated vinegar treatments. Diluting it helps, but personally, I'd stick to something gentler if you're dealing with higher-end hardware. Microfiber cloths are great though—no argument there.
Totally agree about vinegar being risky on premium finishes. I learned that the hard way with a brushed gold faucet—looked amazing at first, but after a few vinegar wipe-downs, it started looking dull and patchy. Not exactly the luxury vibe I was going for...
What I've found works better is just warm water with a tiny bit of mild dish soap. Super gentle, cleans nicely, and doesn't mess with the finish. And yeah, microfiber cloths are a lifesaver—no streaks or scratches. Occasionally, I'll buff fixtures dry afterward to keep them looking showroom-ready. It's a bit more effort, but worth it to keep things pristine.
Yeah, vinegar can be tricky...but do you find dish soap leaves any residue behind? I've noticed sometimes even mild soap can build up over time. Curious if you've had that issue or if it's just me being overly cautious.
You're definitely not being overly cautious—I've seen this happen quite a bit, actually. Even mild dish soaps can leave behind a subtle film, especially if they're not rinsed thoroughly or if the water's particularly hard. I've found that giving fixtures a quick wipe-down with a microfiber cloth after cleaning helps prevent buildup. It's a small extra step, but it really makes a noticeable difference over time. You're on the right track!
I've noticed the microfiber cloth trick helps too, but honestly, the water hardness seems to be the bigger culprit in my experience. I installed a basic water softener system a couple years back, and it made a huge difference—not just with fixtures, but even with how soap lathers up in general. Before that, I was constantly battling those annoying little spots and films no matter how careful I was about rinsing.
Have you checked your water hardness levels lately? Might be worth looking into, especially if you're noticing buildup elsewhere like shower doors or even dishes. There's some pretty affordable test kits out there, and knowing exactly what you're dealing with can save a lot of frustration down the road.
