How To Remove Calcium Buildup (Limescale) At Home With Ease
Do your faucets have a cloudy look to them, some kind of white build up on the edge? Are your appliances, such as the coffee machine or washing machine, seemingly always having problems? Then you may be dealing with hard water in your home. Hard water is water that essentially is super high in mineral content. If your buildup is white, then it’s mostly cause by a high calcium content. These calcium carbonate deposits usually form when hard water gets heated and when it dissolves you are left with what we also know as limescale. And while it may not pose a health risk, it can reduce the effeminacy of your pipes, ruin appliances over time, make detergents less effective, leave your clothes from the washer damages, and it just looks horrible. So, let’s see how to remove calcium buildup easily at home.
If your buildup is white, then it’s mostly cause by a high calcium content in the water
What Eats Away Calcium Buildup?
There are both temporary and permanent ways to get rid of this type of build up. And you’ll be surprised how easy it actually is. You even have most of the things you need hiding in your pantry. Here are some things that are champions at eating calcium buildup away.
There are both temporary and permanent ways to get rid of this type of build up
#Muriatic Acid
A strong hydrochloric-based acid, muriatic acid is an amazing descaler. It’s quite intense, so it can remove even the severest of calcium deposits. However, since it is so potent, it can cause damage to any exposed skin as well as the eyes. So, if you do decide to use it take extreme caution and follow all the instructions or leave it to someone who is trained in handling it.
A strong hydrochloric-based acid, muriatic acid is an amazing descaler
#Lemons
Yep, the leftover lemon sitting in your fridge can help you get rid of that pesky buildup. The citric acid can help dissolve the calcium minerals that are sticking to your faucets, sinks and so on. You can use some lemon juice in a spray bottle or use the wedge straight on the surface.
The citric acid can help dissolve the calcium minerals that are sticking to your faucets
#White Vinegar
What can’t white vinegar clean? This common household ingredient is not only great for salads, but it can also help you deal with an annoying calcium buildup. You can mix it with other ingredients or use it as it is with a rag, either way it will help you out.
This common household ingredient is not only great for salads
#Baking Soda
Another cleaning powerhouse that is hiding in your pantry. Baking soda can be used with other ingredients, such as water to form a paste, or just as it is on its own. It helps give an extra polish and a good scrub to the affected areas.
Another cleaning powerhouse that is hiding in your pantry
#CLR
CLR stands for Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover. It’s a good product to have on hand and is available commercially. It’s a chemical limescale descaler and can help remove all of the things it promises. However, it isn’t very eco-friendly.
CLR stands for Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover
How To Remove Calcium Buildup
While calcium buildup does not carry any harm to people, it can cause nasty buildup on your drains, faucets, pipes, as well as in the appliances that use that water. And if you don’t deal with it regularly the buildup can penetrate the surface and lead to corrosion.
Limescale does not carry any harm to people, but causes nasty buildup
#On Faucets
When it comes to faucets and shower heads, the best way to clean the buildup is to tie a bag of vinegar over the fixtures. This will help remove any exterior buildup. For a deeper clean you can remove the faucet aerator and the shower head from its base and place the pieces in a bowl of diluted acid (like vinegar). However, still put a bag of vinegar on the rest of the fixtures. Then, when everything is done soaking, wipe everything down with a cloth.
The best way to clean the buildup is to tie a bag of vinegar over the fixtures
@Apartment Therapy
#Drains and Pipes
Buildup also happens in drains and pipes. This can affect the water pressure and in some cases lead to damages and pipe replacements. That’s why it’s a good idea to use a water softener to lessen the chance of buildup and to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Buildup also happens in drains and pipes
#Glass
If you have a glass door on your shower, then you may notice white cloudy spots on it after the water has dried. To get rid of it all you need to do is use an equal parts vinegar and water solution. Just spray it on the glass, leave it for fifteen minutes and then wipe away with a clean cloth. You can also use water and baking soda paste instead of vinegar.
If you have a glass door on your shower, then you may notice white cloudy spots on it
#Sinks, Tubs, Toilets
Your sink, tub, toilet, and even tiles may be affected by the calcium buildup. On the bright side, you can safely remove it from these surfaces with some vinegar, baking soda and even dish soap. Just use a dish soap and hot water mixture first and with a sponge clean all the affected surfaces. Once you’ve scrubbed off as much scum, wipe it down with a towel. Then take a two parts baking soda and one part vinegar paste and rub it on all the calcium buildup that is left. Leave it on for five minutes and wipe it off with a damp cloth.
Your sink, tub, toilet, and even tiles may be affected by the calcium buildup
This was how to remove calcium buildup at home. We hope you found this article useful. Now you can tackle buildup on faucets, in pipes, showers, skins, and more. You can also easily prevent it!
This was how to remove calcium buildup at home
Related Articles:
- Ultimate Guide: How To Unclog a Sink
- 6 Powerful All-Natural Disinfectants You Have at Home
- How To (Deep) Clean a Mattress
- How To Clean a Shower The Right Way
Sources:
- Marklein Plumbing ©
- Plumbing Kings LLC ©
- Dutton Plumbing ©
- Pip’s Island ©
- Home Questions Answered ©
- Mr. Rooter Plumbing ©
