A bidet spray or hand shower next to the bath or toilet is always wet, so rust appears on it faster than on any other metal in the bathroom. Orange spots usually form on the hose nuts, the wall holder, the spray button and wherever the chrome plating is damaged.
Vinegar and baking soda help with limescale but work slowly against rust and need repeating. Here is a quick way to remove orange spots and keep the shine.
What you will need
Important: Turn off the water before removing the spray head or hose. Never use wire brushes or sandpaper on chrome: they strip the plating and rust returns faster. Keep products out of the spray head and off the nozzle plate.
Step 1
Remove the spray head and hose
Close the valve, press the spray button to release pressure and unscrew the hose from the mixer. If the nut has seized, apply WD-40 Specialist Penetrant to the thread, wait 10-15 minutes and undo it with a rag under the spanner to protect the chrome.
Step 2
Clean off the dirt
Wipe the spray head, hose and holder with a damp cotton rag to remove dust, soap scum and limescale, then dry them. The product works faster and more evenly on a clean surface.
Step 3
Apply WD-40 to the rust
Spray a little WD-40 Multi-Use onto the orange spots on the outside of the spray head, the nuts and the holder. For threads and gaps in the holder, the thin straw of the WD-40 Smart Straw is more precise. Do not flood it; a thin coat works.
Step 4
Let it work
Leave it for 5-10 minutes. WD-40 creeps between rust particles, loosens their grip on the metal and drives moisture out of the threads.
Step 5
Remove the rust with a soft brush
Clean the treated areas with a soft toothbrush or nylon brush, then wipe with microfibre. On chrome the spots come off easily. Repeat if the deposit is old.
Fine sandpaper is only for uncoated steel parts, such as the hidden back of a bracket.
Step 6
Dry and reassemble
Wipe every part completely dry with microfibre so the handle is not slippery. You can leave a thin film of WD-40 on the nut threads so the hose is easy to undo next time. Refit the hose with a new washer if the old one has hardened, and turn the water on.
Tip: If rust keeps coming back in the same spot, the chrome there is probably damaged. Replacing that nut or holder is cheaper than treating it every week. After each use, hang the spray so water drains rather than sitting in the holder.
What next
A quick check and light treatment once a month keeps a bathroom hand spray free of orange spots. Use the same method for mixer taps, towel rail fixings and toilet seat screws.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».