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Most homes get hard water nowadays, so we are all aware of the problems. Stains and white buildup on faucets and sinks and your kitchen appliances aren’t just unsightly. Over time, the mineral buildup will weaken the appliance or equipment and can result in breakage.
On faucets, the white calcium deposits result in a different problem. They will slow down the water flowing out through the faucet or worse, result in leakage through the sides. So don’t put up with these nasty stains for even another day. Learn how to remove calcium deposits from faucet so you can get rid of your faucet problems today.
Pick the right acid
The most important item you’ll need for this little DIY project of yours is a strong acid. Acidic materials dissolve away calcium and all other minerals from the object, leaving it good as new. The good thing is, you won’t have to go shopping since many household cleaners are ideal for the job and you’ll most likely find at least one of them right at home. You can use any one of the cleaners listed below:
- White vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Phosphoric cleaners
- Muriatic cleaner
Muriatic acid is dangerously strong and is only recommended if the stain is very tough, and everything else fails to remove it. Also, it will need to be diluted with water in the ratio 1:6, one part being acid and six parts being water.
White vinegar is the most popular pick for homeowners facing similar problems. It’s inexpensive and available in almost every home and is sufficiently strong against these unsightly calcium stains. However, since it’s not too strong and does not produce fumes, there are no dangers to worry about even when using it in a house with children.
The main ingredient of white vinegar is acetic acid which helps dissolve away calcium buildup on faucet and leave the faucet as shiny as it was when it was installed.
What else will you need?
You’ve picked the main tool for the project, but we’ll still be needing a few more supplies before we are ready to begin. Everything will most likely be already available in your home:
- Plastic bags
- Rubber bands
- Rubber gloves
- Rags
- Old toothbrush
- Acid-based cleaner
If you’re using a store-bought cleaner other than white vinegar, make sure you read the instructions at the back. You may need some additional protective gear such as a mask to prevent you from inhaling the harmful fumes.
Procedure to follow
Once you have gathered all the right supplies for the job, we are ready to move on. Next, we’ll learn how to remove calcium deposits from faucet. It’s a fairly simple procedure, and anyone can do it, even if they’ve got absolutely no expertise at such kinds of chores. Just follow the steps, and you’ll have a clean, calcium-free sink faucet in no time.
- Put on your gloves to get ready for this little cleaning chore. Using vinegar and other cleaners without wearing gloves may irritate your skin.
- Pour out ½ cup vinegar into a plastic bag of suitable size.
- Submerge the faucet head completely in the liquid inside the plastic bag.
- Tie the bag around the neck of the faucet using a rubber band.
- Leave the bag in this position for around 3 hours.
- Remove the bag and discard its contents.
- Scrub the faucet with a rag.
- For any remaining calcium deposits, soak an old toothbrush in vinegar and scrub the stains off with it.
- Turn the faucet on and see if the water stream is normal now. If the water is still coming out slow, there may be thick deposits around the aerator.
- If the water flow problem persists, you will need to dismantle the faucet, soak the aerator in vinegar for an hour or two and then scrub all remaining deposits before putting everything back together.
- Recheck the water flow by turning on the faucet. It should be resolved now. If it persists, you may have to call a plumber.
This is how to clean sink faucet buildup. Quite easy. It barely takes 5 minutes to set everything up. The rest is just the waiting time while vinegar (or any other cleaner) does the magic.
You may also read: Vigo Faucets Review
Preventive measures
Once you’ve gone through all this trouble of getting rid of the mineral deposits, you’ll want to prevent it from ever happening again. It’s entirely possible to do so!
- A straightforward way to keep the stains away is to keep the faucets, as well as the sink dry. After each use, wipe the faucet head and the sink with a dry paper towel. It will take less than five seconds to do so and will wave you the trouble of going through the extensive cleanup once the unsightly stains appear.
- The permanent solution to the problem is to install a water softening system in your house. Such a system will treat the water coming into your home and remove the unnecessary minerals before letting it out of the faucets. The softened water that comes out of the faucet will no longer be a danger to your faucets, sink or appliances.
Conclusion
So you see how simple it is to learn how to remove calcium deposits from faucet. No expensive tools are required; you won’t even need to visit the store since you’ll find everything right at home.
Elbow grease is also minimal for this job since the acidic cleaner will have already done most of the hard work for you. Just be careful when using such cleaners and wear the essential protective gear so that they don’t irritate your skin and the fumes aren’t inhaled.
So what are you waiting for? Get in gear; let’s fight those nasty stains!