How to Remove Limescale from Taps

Taps look unsightly and unclean with the limescale buildup. It is the most common issue in every household, especially in areas with hard water. These white chalky deposits can ruin the appearance of the taps. Besides the aesthetic concerns, these deposits will affect the functionality of the taps and cause severe damage over time. To protect your taps and fixtures, you need to remove the limescale with a powerful cleaner or available natural cleaning agents. Understanding what limescale is, how it forms, and effective solutions to remove it will help you maintain the shine and longevity of the taps.

How to Identify the Limescale Stains on Taps

Limescale is a chemical substance called calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It looks like a white or off-white, chalky layer that deposits on taps as the water dries. Hard water, which contains minerals such as magnesium and calcium, is the root cause of these hard deposits on the taps. When you live in an area with hard water, you will likely find these chalky deposits on taps, bathroom tiles, and appliances.

Is Limescale Harmful?

Limescale is not so dangerous but looks unsightly. However, it affects the performance of the appliances and even damages them. When it is found in drinking water, it may cause minor health issues. Over time, it tends to reduce the water flow by blocking the tap’s spout.

If this hard substance is mixed in your bathing water, it dries your skin more than usual. So, removing the limescale from the taps in your bathroom and kitchen is good for protecting your health and the appliances.

How to Remove the Limescale Buildup from Taps

Here are some effective solutions to get rid of the limescale buildup on your taps and fixtures.

Powerful Cleaning Liquids

Since Limescale is a stubborn stain, you need some powerful cleaner to remove it permanently without losing the shine of the taps. You can prefer the Fressho Tap and Shower Cleaner. It effortlessly removes the watermarks and stubborn stains from the taps and showerheads and leaves a sparkling shine in return. If you buy this product, you will never go back to anything else.

Lemon Juice or Vinegar

Lemon juice and vinegar is an effective cleaner for removing the hard water stains. Pour lemon juice or vinegar into a plastic bag and tie the bag around the neck of the tap. If you find the limescale buildup on the other parts of the taps, you can apply the lemon juice or vinegar to a cloth and scrub it directly on the affected area.

You may also mix equal portions of lemon juice or vinegar with water in a bottle and spray it on the limescale stain on the tap. Let the solution sit for a few minutes to work effectively on the stains. Scrub the stain and rinse it off with water.

If you use vinegar, it will leave a pungent smell that is often unpleasant. Hence, ensure that the room is ventilated after cleaning the taps using vinegar.

Baking Soda

If you have metal-plated taps such as Chrome taps, you should avoid using vinegar and acidic cleaning agents such as lemon juice. The fixtures are plated with metals such as brass, nickel, chrome, or any other metals, and the delicate layer on the top will be damaged when cleaned with abrasive cleaners.

Use a regular cleaner to wash the tap and dry it with a microfiber cloth. Now, mix a small amount of baking soda in 1 cup of hot distilled water. Dip a cloth in the prepared mixture and wipe the tap to remove the limescale buildup. Rinse it off with water and dry the tap completely.

Essential Oils

You may use essential oils to treat the low limescale buildup or watermark on the taps. Mix baking soda and any essential oil, such as eucalyptus, lavender, or tea tree oil, to form a cleaning paste. Apply the paste to the tap and scrub lightly using a scrubber. Wipe the tap with a clean, dry cloth.

Remember that essential oil will not work on hard limescale buildup on the taps.

Borax or Coarse Salt

If the limescale is too hard on your taps, borax or coarse salt will be a good choice to remove it. Prepare a paste by mixing the borax powder or coarse salt with hard water. Apply the paste to the affected area on the tap and let it sit for a few minutes. Rub it hard using a scrubber and rinse the tap with clean water. Dry the tap and see if the limescale stain has been wiped off.

How to Prevent Limescale Buildup on the Taps

If you live in an area where you can only use hard water, you can install a water softener on your taps to avoid limescale buildup. However, even though you install a water softener, you may find limescale buildup on the taps’ spouts. Hence, regular cleaning is the key to maintaining stain-free and shiny taps.

Wipe the taps using a dry cloth to remove moisture that causes rusty stains. Use essential oils to prevent the taps from getting rusted and developing stubborn stains. Using oils on the taps, the water rolls down instead of evaporating and leaving the minerals behind.

If you want your taps to shine as new as always, it requires extra care. Incorporate proper cleaning techniques, choose the right cleaning products, and adopt preventive measures to prevent the limescale build-up on your taps. Make your taps shine as new always with the right cleaner and extra care.