Limescale can quickly build up on faucets that run hard water.Hard white deposits are left around the spray holes and a cloudy film is left on the rest of the faucet when it sneaks up on sinks.There is a variety of spray-on chemical cleaning products that are designed to eliminate limescale.Even from hard-to-reach areas, with a few household items you can easily get rid of limescale.Don't use acidic cleaners, like lemon juice or vinegar, on metal- plated taps.
Step 1: You can slice a lemon in half.
The lemon should be cut in half.This is a great way to use up lemons that have already been used.It will do the trick if it still has some flesh and juice.If you want to clean a narrow fixture with a fresh lemon, you can twist a reamer or spoon around it.The juices will be loosened and the faucet head will sit inside.
Step 2: Place a lemon half on the faucet.
The lemon should be facing the end of the tap.The lemon will hug the fixture if it is pushed onto the faucet.The faucet head is right in the center of the lemon flesh when you rotate it back and forth.The acidic juice should be broken down by covering the limescale with the lemon.If you are cleaning a larger fixture, such as a showerhead, place lemon halves or thick slices over the entire area.Enough is enough to completely cover the build up.
Step 3: The lemon must be secured with a plastic baggie and rubber band.
Keep the lemon tight around the faucet by covering it with a plastic baggie.Wrap a rubber band around the bag opening to keep the lemon in place.If needed, use more than one rubber band.If you can, this is a great way to reuse a plastic baggie.
Step 4: The lemon should be left in place for 2 to 3 hours or overnight.
If you want to get the best results, keep the lemon on the faucet overnight.You can check to see if the limescale comes off after a few hours.
Step 5: Remove the limescale from the lemon.
The lemon and plastic bag should be thrown away.To clean the area, use a cleaning rag, sponge, scrub brush or toothbrush.The limescale should come off right away.
Step 6: Use a safety pin or toothbrush to spray the holes.
The bristles of an old toothbrush can be used to remove limescale deposits.Use the bristles to remove the build up.If the spray holes are still plugged up with small pieces of limescale, use a safety pin to pick them out.You can use a toothbrush to clean the spray holes.
Step 7: Use fresh hot water to wash the faucet.
Lemon juice and limescale can be washed with a clean sponge or rag.The surface needs to be clear of limescale.
Step 8: A solution of water and plain white vinegar is needed.
Pour water and plain white vinegar into a small bowl.If you only have a small area to clean, you can reduce the quantities.There should be enough liquid to saturate the rag.Baking soda can be added to your solution to make it stronger.
Step 9: Put a cleaning rag in the solution.
A kitchen towel, old t-shirt, or any other rag can be used for cleaning purposes.The rag must be dunked into the solution until it is completely saturated.
Step 10: The limescale should be scrubbed with the rag.
Some of the limescale will be loosened by this.If the rag starts to dry out after this process, just submerge it in the solution again until it is fully saturated.
Step 11: The rag must be wrapped around the faucet's calcified area.
The head of the faucet is where the water comes out.You should make sure that the area is covered if there is a film covering the fixture.Pull the rag around the faucet a few times until it sits flush against the area affected by the build up.Adding a rubber band or ponytail holder around the outside will keep the rag secure.If you plan to leave the rag in place overnight, this may be useful.
Step 12: The rag can be left there for 2 to 3 hours.
Let the solution work its magic overnight for the most effective results.You can check after a couple of hours to see if the solution works.To remove the build up, use a rag or scrub brush.Leave it on longer if it is still stuck.
Step 13: The rag needs to be removed and limescale wiped off.
After a few hours, remove the rag and use it to buff away the calcium deposits.The limescale should be removed from the faucet with moderate scrubbing pressure.
Step 14: Use a toothbrush or safety pin to clean spray holes.
The deposits should come off with a little encouragement after an overnight soak.You can use an old toothbrush to clean these areas.To pick out the remaining bits of limescale, use the sharp end of a safety pin.Limescale can get stuck in and around the spray holes on showerheads and might not go away after an initial wipedown.
Step 15: Fresh hot water is the best way to rinse off the faucet.
Use a clean sponge or rag to clean the faucet.It's time for your fixture to be sparkling like new.
Step 16: If you use abrasive or acidic cleaning agents, be careful.
A fixture that is plated with gold, brass, nickel, or any other metal has delicate layers.These can be quickly eroded with corrosive chemicals and acidic household cleaners.They can be scratched with bristle brushes, steel wool, and other cleaning cloths.Keep the cleaning materials away from the fixture.
Step 17: A microfiber cloth can be used to remove all of the humidity.
Limescale can be easily prevented with regular care.Near the fixture, keep a microfiber drying cloth or paper towel.After each use, wipe the entire fixture down.Hard water can leave cloudy spots and mineral deposits.
Step 18: The fixture should be cleaned with hot soapy water and a microfiber cloth.
If you want to clean off the fixture, heat up some distilled water.Unlike the water coming out of your faucet, distilled water won't leave any mineral deposits behind.Use a soft microfiber cleaning cloth or soft sponge to wipe down the fixture after adding a squirt of mild soap to the hot water.Then wash it with a microfiber cloth.It's a good idea to avoid applying too much pressure when washing and drying the fixture.
Step 19: Baking soda and distilled water can be used to clean hard water spots.
If you notice some cloudy water on the fixture, you can mix up a solution of baking soda and hot distilled water in a small bowl.Use this solution to moisten the corner of a sponge or microfiber cloth.To remove the baking soda, rinse it off with fresh distilled water.The whole fixture should be dry.To make sure the method doesn't damage the fixture's finish, spot-test it on an inconspicuous part.