Do you have calcium deposits accumulating on your faucet? We all have minerals in our water, but some of the minerals stay behind and create unsightly gunk on your faucet or shower head.
It doesn’t mean that you need to get a new faucet. You just need to clean your current faucet properly and prevent calcium deposit buildup in the future. Let’s talk about that!
In this PlumbingNav guide, we will cover:
Why do calcium deposits build-up on faucets?
How to remove calcium deposits from faucet
Supplies you’ll need to remove calcium deposits from faucets
What's In This Guide?
Why Do Calcium Deposits Build Up On Faucets?
Calcium deposits build up on faucets when you allow water to remain on your faucets. The minerals in the water stay behind even when the water dries and sticks to the faucet. The longer you go without wiping down a mineral deposit on your faucet, the more noticeable the limescale becomes.
The mineral buildup will occur around the faucet head most noticeably, but it will also develop inside the faucet handle, which can eventually create a minor faucet leak.
The deposits can build up to the point that you experience low water pressure or even a clogged drain. If you allow your drain to get clogged, it can damage your pipes and even lead to emergency plumbing services or frequent drain cleaning calls.
Mineral deposits will accumulate faster if you have especially hard water coming into your house through your supply pipes. Hard water refers to water with a high amount of mineral concentration in the water.
You will usually notice hard water stains before you notice hard water deposits. Handle a stain when you first notice it as hard water stains can be even more difficult to remove hard water stains if you let them stay for too long.
Certain materials lend toward more sediment buildup than others. For example, a stainless steel faucet or chrome faucet will not develop calcium deposits as quickly as copper, bronze, and brass. That doesn’t mean you won’t find sediment buildup on that type of plumbing fixture in time, but it might not be as noticeable along the way.
Preventing Calcium Deposits on Faucets
When it comes to hard water spots, you want to prevent them before they happen.
Lowering hot water temperature at your water heater
Keeping a squeegee in the shower and dry towels near other faucets
Regular cleaning and maintenance (weekly)
Install a water softener system
You can install a water softener at your main water supply or at individual faucets if you are also concerned about your drinking water (although hard water is not usually a health hazard). This is especially helpful if you have oil-rubbed finishes like bronze to keep clean.
How To Remove Calcium Deposits From Faucet (3 steps)
Step One: Prep
You should prepare your faucet and your sink for cleaning.
Some of the things you can do to prep include:
Gather all materials (more on that later)
Remove items from the counter and the cabinet
Ventilate
Wear gloves
Turn off water to the kitchen sink or bathroom sink (optional)
You should also consider the material of your faucet to determine which materials you will use to clean it. Almost all faucets can use a vinegar solution (sometimes combined with lemon juice). More delicate materials, such as brass, copper, and bronze, should avoid harsh cleaners that contain acid and bleach as well as harsh cleaning tools, such as steel wool.
Step Two: Apply Cleanser
At this time, you will apply your cleanser to the faucet.
One simple solution involves a combination of white vinegar and baking soda. You can fill a bag with both ingredients (and water to your preference) and tie the bag around the faucet in question.
Putting the bag around the faucet allows the mixture to clean the faucet aerator inside of your faucet without removing it.
Let the faucet soak in the mixture for about 10 – 15 minutes before removing it and wiping the faucet down.
You can repeat the process as necessary if you aren’t fond of the results.
If you choose to use something harsher since vinegar isn’t producing the results you wanted, proceed with caution before you cause plumbing damage that requires expensive plumbing service.
Always rinse all cleaning material thoroughly after cleaning your faucet and dry the faucet thoroughly.
Leaving chemicals on the faucet can cause damage. If you allow water to sit on the faucet, you may be contributing to more sediment buildup down the road.
Does WD 40 remove calcium deposits on faucets?
WD40 is known for its lubricating properties, but it’s also known for eliminating residue on materials, including your faucet.
Even better, you can use WD40 on almost all metal and plastic materials, making them perfect for most faucets. You can even use WD 40 on your glass shower door if you notice a water spot there.
Just remember that you will struggle to maintain a grip on the material thanks to WD40’s lubricating properties.
Does vinegar remove calcium deposits?
Yes! Vinegar can help remove calcium deposits. It’s a good idea to use a combination of vinegar and baking soda. It creates a chemical reaction that
Supplies You’ll Need to Remove Calcium Deposits From Faucet
Get ready to clean by gathering the following items:
Microfiber cloth
Paper towel
Vinegar
Baking soda
Gloves
Water softeners
FAQs For Cleaning Calcium and Hard Water Faucet Buildup
Does WD 40 remove calcium deposits on faucets?
Yes. You may be surprised at exactly how well WD40 works when it comes to removing calcium deposits on your faucet.
Does vinegar remove calcium deposits?
Yes. Vinegar removes hard water buildup quite effectively, especially when combined with baking soda. However, only use vinegar and baking soda on strong materials, such as stainless steel and chrome. While less effective, only use vinegar and water when cleaning a softer material.
How do you remove lime deposits from faucets?
You can use vinegar or WD40 to remove lime deposits, but you can also find lime deposit cleaners. Pay special attention to the material of the faucet when picking a cleanser. Some materials can’t handle acid and bleach as well as others.
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About Plumbing Navigator
We write about "all things plumbing," helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
About Plumbing Navigator
We write about “all things plumbing,” helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
