How to get rid of water stains on faucet

Shiny new faucets, showers, and toilets add as much polish and sophistication to the bathroom as they do utility. But if your home has hard water, these bathroom essentials are at risk of accumulating unsightly stains from mineral deposits and soap scum. The natural buildup of alkaline deposits in hard water makes it difficult to completely prevent these spots from appearing, but you can wipe them clean with these simple, nontoxic approaches that utilize common pantry items.

SOUR POWER

Photo: fotosearch.com

While many homeowners turn to store-bought products to break up the crusty limescale that often plagues chrome faucets, you can harness the same buildup-busting properties with a few everyday equivalents. The next time you’re trying to perk up your chrome, first make a beeline for the kitchen to collect a lemon, a bottle of white vinegar, and a roll of paper towels. Rub the rind of the lemon over the faucet, then soak the paper towels in vinegar and drape them directly over the coating of lemon. Let the combined acids in this cleaning duo work for about an hour to attack and loosen the mineral deposits on the fixture. Remove and discard the paper towels, rinse away any residual gunk from the faucet, and wipe the chrome clean with a soft cloth to restore its shine.

WHITE WINE SHOWER SPRITZER

Photo: instructables.com via chewy87100

Good for more than simply washing down a delicious meal, the alcohol and acidity of white wine can also help to wash away hard water residue in the shower. Prepare to work wonders on your bathroom by filling an empty spray bottle with leftover vino—one glass’s worth should do the trick. Then, generously spritz the wine over the shower head, floor, faucet, drain, doors, and tile, including any grout and caulk. Give the wine about 5 to 10 minutes to disintegrate the stubborn scum; this will save you the time and effort of scrubbing it manually. Wipe the shower clean with a nonabrasive cloth, and finish with a quick rinse to send loose debris down the drain and out of sight.

SODA SAVE

Photo: fotosearch.com

The same tingle-inducing, frothy concoction you unleash when you crack open a can of pop can clear tough water stains in your toilet. The secret to soda’s cleaning success is its carbon dioxide, which makes it both more acidic and more effective than scrubbing with plain water. Applying this technique is almost as simple as enjoying a can of Coke: Simply pop open the tab and pour the contents around the bowl wherever the stains are set. To help the soda dislodge and dissolve any buildup, leave it in the bowl for least an hour (feel free to reward yourself with a bubbly beverage in the meantime). Then, give the bowl a quick swipe with a brush, and flush to send stains—and your worries—down the toilet!

The sight of hard water stains splashed all over your faucets might be unappealing. It may also give you the idea that your hands will not be as clean as you would like them to be when you are done washing them.

Hard water stains, on the other hand, merely indicate that the water coming out of your faucet has a high mineral concentration, which varies depending on where you reside. But that doesn’t imply your faucets should suffer as a result of calcium or magnesium buildup in your water. It has an unappealing appearance and can be difficult to remove.

Here are some basic home treatments for removing those pesky stains:

Vinegar

Because vinegar is acidic, it breaks and cuts through hard water. Furthermore, because it is mild, it will not corrode the stainless steel. Pour some vinegar into a dish and soak a towel in it to attempt this procedure. Then, for 30 minutes, wrap it around the tap. You must ensure that the rag covers every surface. If there is any remaining vinegar in the dish, pour it over the cloth-wrapped tap to thoroughly soak it.

Lemon

If the water pressure in your tap has dropped dramatically, limescale (hard water) is most likely to blame. So, how do you clean such faucets? Simply rub the calcified region with half a lemon. Allow the lemon to sit on top of the limescale accumulation for a few hours. The lemon’s acid destroys the limescale. The loosened accumulation may then be scrubbed away with an old toothbrush.

Baking soda

This common cooking product works wonders on hard water stains on faucets and taps. It is a powerful and gentle natural abrasive that may even be used on marble flooring. Prepare a mixture with a quarter cup of baking soda and a quarter cup of water. Using an old brush, apply this mixture to the problematic region and let it on for 12 hours before cleaning and rinsing away the residue.

Cream of tartar

Cream of tartar, a typical baking ingredient, is a moderate acid that works well as a substitute for baking soda. It has a non-abrasive effect and may be used to remove stains from a variety of surfaces. Spread a paste of cream of tartar and water to the discoloured surface. Allow it to remain for up to 30 minutes before scrubbing with a moist towel to reveal gleaming taps.

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What removes hard water stains?

There are plenty of DIY natural remedies out there, but we find that the best hard water stain remover is a paste of white vinegar and baking soda. Spread over affected surfaces, let it sit for 30 minutes, then wipe clean with a dry microfiber cloth to quickly brighten bathroom surfaces.