Crusty and unsightly, limescale emerges wherever water is present throughout the household. It accumulates on taps, kettles, and shower heads in hard water regions. What you observe are the minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, remaining after hard water evaporates.
Hard water marks can be challenging to control and prevent, but bathroom specialists suggest there are household items you might not realise could prove effective. Andy Ellis of Vidalux, a shower retailer, suggests preventing limescale marks from reappearing by using candle wax, reports the Express.
“To prevent a buildup of hard water stains returning, rub some candle wax onto faucets and showerheads,” he advised.
“The wax will act as a barrier between the surface and the water and will prevent hard water from being able to settle onto the surface.”
Candle wax won’t eliminate hard water marks, but it functions as a preventative solution.
The wax acts as a protective layer between water and surfaces vulnerable to limescale, ensuring the minerals cannot penetrate through to taps or shower heads and form a stain.
To avoid limescale using this technique, simply rub candle wax onto taps and polish it into the surface.
Regarding removing limescale stains, Andy suggested two bathroom products that are probably already in the cupboard: shaving cream and toothpaste. It might seem odd, but the key to tackling limescale is to clean with something acidic, as it can slice through the stains.
Limescale is sneaky—the longer the stains linger on surfaces, the tougher they are to remove.
The bathroom guru explained: “The trick with hard water stains is to use something that is acidic and abrasive enough it can break down the strong minerals. Some of the best cleaning products you can use are likely to already be in your home.
“Toiletries such as shaving cream and toothpaste both contain properties that help cut through the minerals left behind from hard water.”
Shaving cream
The foaming agents found in shaving cream can help break down minerals left behind from hard water.
Apply a layer of shaving cream to the area and let it sit for around 15 minutes. Wipe it away with a damp cloth and then buff the area with a dry one for a streak-free finish.
Toothpaste
This bathroom essential is abrasive enough to clean but gentle enough that it won’t damage any appliances. But one word of warning—make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, as this is the key ingredient that will help break down the stains.
Apply toothpaste to the stains and let it sit for five minutes before rinsing. If the toothpaste is too stubborn to spread across the stains, add water to loosen it up.