With over a dozen faucet finishes available to consumers today, there’s plenty of opportunity to choose the perfect fixture to complement your kitchen or bathroom. Among the pool of choices, you’ll find black faucets. As of 2022, matte black faucets are one of the most sought-after finishes trending in the market, as they offer an elegant, eye-catching element to your home.
Unlike other faucet finishes, matte black faucets hide fingerprints and water spots well, making them an excellent choice for busy homes. But are they difficult to clean? Luckily, they’re incredibly easy to clean and maintain! This article reviews the ins and outs of black-coated faucets to help you decide whether they’re a suitable finish for your home, so continue reading to learn more!
What Are Black Faucets Made Of?
Nowadays, most kitchen faucets have a metal base with a coating to create the finish. Most matte black faucets have brass, steel, or iron bases, which bodes well for the longevity of the faucet. Generally, the finish features a deep, rich, matte black hue, although some faucets have a gloss black finish.
To create the black surface atop the metal base, manufacturers usually apply a powder coating. The popular matte black finish is the perfect middle ground between flat and full gloss, making it a suitable pick for many homes.
Pros And Cons Of Black Faucets
Like any faucet finish, black faucets have a few upsides and downsides. As you weigh your faucet finish options, here are a few pros and cons of black faucets to consider:
Pros
- Aesthetically appealing: The smooth, rich hue of black faucets creates an attractive and eye-catching feature in any space. The finish differs considerably from classic metallic or chrome finishes, so it works well as a focal piece.
- Matches nearly any color palette: Black faucets complement nearly any color palette, whether you have a warm, neutral, or cool color theme.
- Affordable: Black faucets are relatively affordable compared to other trendy faucet finishes, like chrome or oil-rubbed bronze. Of course, some faucets are more expensive than others (regardless of the finish), but black faucets tend to be reasonably priced compared to some faucet finishes.
- Widely available: Nearly every faucet manufacturer offers black faucets for kitchen and bathroom applications, so finding the perfect faucet is relatively easy.
- Matches with other finishes: If you like the idea of mixed finishes in your home, consider incorporating black faucets with another favorite faucet finish. Black fixtures pair beautifully with other faucet finishes, so mix and match finishes to create diversity in a singular space.
- Easy to clean: Maintaining black plumbing fixtures is an easy process – simply wipe down the surface with a soft cloth to remove debris. Although dirt is visible on these faucets, they’re easy to clean.
Cons
- May fade over time: After years of use, the black powder coating on these faucets may begin to fade. The fading can become unsightly as it worsens, which can be inconvenient.
- Susceptible to scratches: Although the black coating on these faucets holds up well against general wear and tear, it’s easy to accidentally damage it while using basic plumbing tools. So, when working with the faucet, be sure to use precautions. For instance, use a towel between the tool and the faucet to prevent damage from using the tool to hold the faucet body in place.
- Requires careful cleaning: Black-coated faucets require careful cleaning to avoid damage at the hands of harsh chemicals. Generally, it’s best to stick to mild cleaning detergents and warm water for cleansing purposes.
- Dust is easily visible: The dark surface of these faucets clearly displays dirt, dust, and grime, so regular cleaning is necessary to remove the grime.
Do Black Faucets Show Hard Water Spots?
Although dirt and dust are clearly visible on the dark surface of black faucets, water spots tend to blend in. Compared to a glossy or high-shine faucet finish, like chrome, water spots are considerably less noticeable.
That said, hard water deposits can be pretty noticeable on black faucets. Generally, hard water deposits are white, yellow, or bluish-green, which contrasts with the deep hues of the finish. So, deposits can stick out like a sore thumb on these faucets.
Are Black Faucets Hard To Maintain?
Black-coated faucets are relatively easy to maintain, as you won’t need any fancy cleaners for regular maintenance. You will need to clean more frequently to keep the surface looking smooth and free of dirt and grime, as this finish puts dust on a clear display. That said, cleaning away dirt and grime is easy – all you’ll need is warm water, mild cleaning detergent, and a soft cloth (microfiber works great).
The dark surface of black faucets hides fingerprints, smears, and other marks quite well, so if you have kids, this faucet might work well for minimizing those tiny fingerprints. However, you’ll still need to clean to keep up with dirt on the faucet, so that’s also something to consider.
How Do You Clean A Black Faucet?
Cleaning black faucets are simple and easy, as you won’t need any specialized cleaning detergents to get the job done. It’s best to stick with mild cleaning detergents diluted in warm water, such as dish soap and warm water, to create a foamy mixture.
Use a microfiber cloth soaked in soapy water to wipe down the faucet. Microfiber cloths work well since they’re soft and will not damage the surface of your faucet. Bonus: they’re inexpensive and washing machine friendly!
You can always mix a bottle of cleaning solution for quick and easy cleaning. Simply combine one part white vinegar, two parts warm water, and a squirt of mild dish soap in a spray bottle, then shake it to combine. Use this mixture to clean your faucet regularly, as it will help lift dirt, grime, fingerprints, and water spots from the surface.
Spray the mixture onto the faucet’s surface, then wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth. The vinegar in the mixture will help lift and remove hard water spots and deposits from the faucet, but in some cases, you might need to use a more concentrated vinegar solution to lift tougher stains.