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How to Descale a Bathroom Faucet

Jorina Fontelera

Bathroom faucets can easily get clogged by hard water and chemical residues from soaps and shampoos. You may notice lime scale, a whitish chalky film, on your faucet. Luckily, there are several ways to descale your faucet using items usually found in most pantries.

Chrome Faucets

For chrome faucets covered with lime scale, descale them by putting vinegar in a plastic bag, then soaking the faucet with the vinegar. Use twine to tie the bag in place. Allow the faucet to soak for several hours. Rinse off the vinegar and wipe off the scale using a soft sponge. You can then rub the fleshy side of a cut lemon on the faucet to remove the mineral deposits.

Brass or Gold-Plated Faucets

If you have brass or gold-plated faucets, do not use orange-based or powdered cleansers to remove the chalky lime scale buildup. These types of cleansers could corrode or scratch the finish. Instead, soak a paper towel in white vinegar and wrap the soaked paper towel around the faucet. Secure with a rubber band or clip. Allow to soak until the paper towel is almost dry. Scrub off the deposits using a stiff nylon toothbrush. To prevent spots from building up once descaled, dry the faucet after use. This method could also be used for chrome faucets.

Descaling with Baking Soda

To descale your faucet with baking soda, create a paste using three parts baking soda for one part water. Consider mixing a cup of baking soda with 1/3 cup of water. Apply the paste liberally on the faucet and leave on for an hour. Wipe off the paste with a soft cloth until the paste is completely gone.