How To Get Rid of Hard Water Spots on Faucets

Hard water sports can be annoying, and cleaning them regularly can be a chore. This is especially true in the kitchen and the bathroom. What’s the best way to get rid of hard water spots on faucets?

To get rid of hard water spots on faucets, spray the faucet with a mix of water and white vinegar, gently rub away spots, and towel dry. Hard water stains can become harder to remove if not cleaned up quickly, but a range of products exist to tackle this problem.

Keep reading to learn more about the best ways to remove hard water spots on faucets, hard water solutions, and how to keep your faucets beautiful as well as functional.

Discover the root cause of those pesky stains by reading up on mineral-heavy water and its effects.

Table of Contents

How Can I Clean Hard Water Spots From Faucets?

Hard water tends to leave pale, slightly crusty residue on metal faucets. This can quickly build up every time you use the faucet, leaving metal spigots looking flecked and unattractive. The simplest way to clean hard water stains on faucets is with a mixture of one part white vinegar and one part water.

You can store the mixture in a convenient spray bottle, and store the spray bottle under the bathroom or kitchen sink for easy access. Spray down your stained metal, and let the fluid sit for a few seconds before going to work.

Apply this mixture liberally and gently scrub away stains with a soft-bristle brush or a damp cloth. Microfiber is best, but any cloth will work well. The metal of faucets is pretty sturdy, but it can still be scratched if you use the wrong material. Avoid steel wool, as this can scratch fixtures.

Lemon juice is also helpful here as a cleaning agent. It is natural, smells nice, and can easily dissolve deposits. You can spray it on or dampen the area with it, let it sit, and then wipe it off.

What about industrial products? Are there cleaning agents that work well against hard water stains, too?

Take control of your hard water issues with these practical DIY hard water fixes that really work.

Commercial Cleaning Agents Can Help, Too

Another favorite for tackling hard water stains is CLR. While this formula is too harsh for some surfaces (like granite) it works great on metal faucets. CLR can help break down lime and calcium deposits with ease, especially if they’re clogging your shower head.

It works well on metal faucets, too, as do cleansers like Comet and Bar Keeper’s Friend. These same cleaners can clean the porcelain of your sink or bathtub, too. Go ahead and apply these products generously, wet down, scrub, and wipe away. They’re safe on bathroom surfaces and kitchen sinks, just avoid them on granite and other delicate stone surfaces.

So is hard water dangerous to your faucets? Can it damage them at all?

Can Hard Water Damage Faucets?

Hard water stains on faucets are unsightly, and they can become difficult to remove if allowed to sit and layer. Every time you turn your water on, light splatters of water will hit your taps, and once those droplets of water evaporate, they leave behind the calcium deposits that create white blotches.

These same calcium deposits can cause your pipes to become clogged over time, and many homeowners notice this in the form of a showerhead with poor water output. Keeping the showerhead intact while soaking it in vinegar solution, then scrubbing away the deposits with a brush can help.

Limescale buildup that accumulates over years can damage pipes, so the best solution may be to soften your home’s water at the source. Do these systems work, and what kind of water softener system is best for you?

To effectively combat hard water issues, it’s important to first recognize the common signs of hard water in your home.

Do Point of Entry Water Softener Systems Work?

Point-of-entry water softener systems attach to your basement’s plumbing to soften water before it goes through most of the pipes in your house. This prevents limescale buildup and also softens water, eliminating hard water spots entirely.

These systems can be expensive to install (upwards of $7,000 or more) but you have a lifetime solution to hard water problems as well as soft water in every room of the house. They work well and generally cycle through automatically.

Most use resin beads and salt to draw away calcium particles and replace them with sodium. Similar devices that are much smaller can be attached to individual faucets or under sinks for a point-of-use solution that can eliminate hard water stains, too. Showerhead versions exist as well, if the only concern you have with hard water is bathing in it.

So what concerns exist around using, drinking, or bathing in deposit-rich water? Is it safe, and why do some consumers dislike it?

Is Hard Water Safe?

Hard water doesn’t hurt most people, though it can cause mild indigestion in people with calcium sensitivities, especially children. Where most consumers find hard water to be especially troublesome is in the shower. Bathing in hard water can cause dry skin, brittle hair, hair loss, can make eczema worse, and reduce the effectiveness of soap and shampoo.

Hard water can also make laundry soap less efficient, leading to clothes that are technically washed, but not as clean as they could be. The same can be said of dishes and silverware, and annoying hard water deposits will build up on these, too.

Others dislike the taste of hard water, finding it overly harsh or sharp. This is why a point-of-entry water softener system can be a great choice for your home. It will eliminate hard water spots on faucets as well as improve water quality overall.

Conclusion

The simplest way to remove hard water spots from faucets is with a mixture of vinegar and water. Apply this mixture to the faucets, let it sit, and wipe dry with a soft towel. Bathroom cleaners and powders like Comet also work well, as do natural substances like lemon juice.

Avoid using steel wool and make sure to dry the area carefully. A point-of-entry water softener system can work wonders in any home with hard water. You can also install point-of-use systems and enjoy more efficient soap, less problematic showers, and cleaner clothes.