I'm really into the sleek look of black faucets and handles, but I'm a bit worried about how well they'll hold up as time goes on. Specifically, will the black finish wear off after years of regular cleaning? Do you find that they require more upkeep since the black tends to show spots from things like toothpaste or soap? Also, I have well water—has anyone else with well water experienced problems with deposits that might tarnish or stain the black finishes?
5 Answers
We have black fixtures and use well water without any treatment besides a basic filter. While our water is quite hard, we don’t wipe everything down every time, but doing a quick clean each week keeps the stains at bay. I believe the fixtures are on the cheaper end from Kohler, purchased at Home Depot or Lowe's.
If you're dealing with hard water, you're likely going to see some issues with mineral deposits. My experience is that you can keep them looking good with consistent cleaning, but it's definitely a commitment. We had black trim in our utility bathroom before getting a water softener, and it looked terrible with all the toothpaste splatters!
We installed black faucets in both our master bathroom and kitchen. Unfortunately, I've noticed that the finishes are wearing off pretty quickly, revealing some brass underneath. The only fixtures that haven't had this problem are the black shower faucet and showerheads. We also have well water, which might be a factor in the wear and tear. Super disappointing!
A little hack to make cleaning easier: try giving your faucets a coat of car wax. It helps protect the finish and can make maintenance less of a hassle!
Honestly, I think these black finishes look stunning but they definitely lose their luster over time. The wear is real, so just keep that in mind if you decide to go with black!
Thanks for the tip! So it seems like regular maintenance is key. How do the cheaper fixtures hold up overall?