Tap water with a high content of magnesium and calcium salts (“hard water”) is a fairly common phenomenon. Her backfire- the appearance of whitish stains and lime deposits on plumbing, bath or tile.
Old lime scale is difficult to remove with normal cleaning, so you have to use special preparations for cleaning or folk remedies.
What to use for cleaning
In apartments, chrome-plated plumbing is more often used, which requires careful cleaning. Using abrasive cleaners will scratch the shiny surface with its further darkening and even.
To clean the faucet limescale, you should not use drugs with aggressive acids (hydrochloric or phosphoric), or alkalis.
How then to clean the limescale on the tap? On sale there are gentle preparations created specifically for the care of chrome surfaces.
For example, "Top House for of stainless steel"(Germany), "Electrolux stainless steel cleaner spray" (Sweden), "Pufas Glutoclean" (Germany), "Cif" (Hungary), "Sanoks" company Aist Peter, "CILLIT BANG for metal surfaces" (Russia), " Selena Shine of Steel” (Russia).
The main thing is to carefully follow the instructions and not violate the exposure time. chemical on the surface to be cleaned.
In no case should plaque be removed with sharp objects or a hard metal sponge.. The chrome surface will become cloudy, scratched or have dark spots.
home remedies
How to remove limescale from a faucet using improvised means? Baking soda is diluted to a slurry and gently and effortlessly distributed over contaminated areas. After an hour, softened deposits are easily removed., and the remaining whitish stains are wiped with a household sponge.
Weak lime deposits can be removed with soap. Grated laundry soap is mixed with a small amount of water and a teaspoon of soda until a gel-like substance is obtained. The mixture is applied to the tap, and then thoroughly washed off with water.
Cloth or paper towels soaked in warm 9% vinegar are placed on the places of contamination. After a couple of hours, the softened limestone is removed with a sponge, and the surface is thoroughly rinsed. To wash more resistant areas, they are re-treated.
Similarly, cleaning is carried out with diluted citric acid (2 teaspoons of powder will be required per glass of water) or lemon juice. The cut lemon slice is dipped in finely ground salt, the contaminated places are gently wiped and after a while washed with water.
The procedures are performed with rubber or latex gloves to avoid damage to skin areas and the occurrence of allergic reactions.
We wash the mixer from lime deposits
The cleaning procedure is the same as for the faucet.. A special problem is, the holes of which "overgrow", and water jets do not pass well through it. The removed strainer or watering can is completely placed in 9% table vinegar for several hours to clean the nozzles.
To speed up the process, the solution can be heated. Then they are washed and with improvised means (a darning needle, a toothpick or an unnecessary toothbrush) they clean the holes. can be replaced with "CilitBang".
Often, an aerator is installed on the mixers, the holes of which are also gradually filled with lime deposits. The aerator is carefully removed, washed running water, and then immersed in a solution of vinegar and water or treated with "Cilit". After cleaning, it is rinsed and installed in place.
If the aerator is plastic or made of extruded aluminum, then when unscrewing it, it may break. In this case, the cleaning solution is poured into a container or plastic bag, the part to be cleaned is immersed in it and left for several hours. Then the holes are cleaned and washed with a strong jet of water.
Cleaning around the faucet
The same means are used, store or "grandmother's". They can be applied with a sponge to the desired area, you can moisten a rag or paper towels in warm vinegar and apply around the faucet to soften.
Then the plaque is removed, and the washed surface is wiped dry. Chrome parts and ceramic surfaces are thus cleaned. IN hard-to-reach places small brushes (toothbrush or for washing hands), plastic or wooden toothpicks are used.
How to avoid the appearance
Most effective way get rid of them - every time after use, wipe the plumbing dry.
Soap stains, fresh deposits are well cleaned with a microfiber cloth, which is sold in a hardware store. She can also rub chrome parts to a shine.
There are special wax shampoos on sale, which are usually used by motorists. Not a large number of shampoo is applied to a sponge, and then all shiny surfaces are treated and rubbed to a shine. Thus, for almost a week, the taps will be clean and shiny.
You can use metal care products. A thin film forms on the surface greasy spots, lime and the appearance of rust. Various metal polishes are available, for example, Domax, Wpro 29 945, HG Steel Polish, Indesit. They are applied to a clean, dry surface, and then rubbed to a shine.
Metal parts can be rubbed with glass cleaner.
Even with "hard" tap water maintaining the cleanliness and brilliance of metal and chrome parts of plumbing will not be a hassle. The main thing is to remove limescale deposits when they are just beginning to form, and to use cleaning products correctly.
During operation, the mixers are in contact with tap water, which contains minerals. It is they who leave white stains on the chrome-plated surface of plumbing. Limescale, which appears not only outside, but also inside the tap, can cause the device to malfunction.
Therefore, taps must be regularly inspected and cleaned in a timely manner. Cleaning the faucet in the bathroom is not difficult if you know what products can be used for this.
Preparing for cleaning
Cleaning is very convenient to do in disassembled form. For a two-valve mechanism, the procedure is as follows:
We turn off the water using a tap located in the toilet or bathroom. Remove the faucet from the wall with a plumbing wrench.
We unscrew the screws with a screwdriver (hidden under decorative overlays with the designation of cold and hot water) and disassemble the valves. We separate the crane boxes. We turn to the disassembly of the gander, for which we unscrew the cap nut with a key.
Set aside everything for later cleaning. sealing elements(pads, cuffs) to the side. They won't be needed just yet. Remember the sequence of disassembly and general design so that there are no problems during the subsequent assembly.
Cleaning with household chemicals
most popular and effective method overcome limescale - cleaning chemical compounds. Suitable universal products such as Comet, Domestos and specialized - Ravak Cleaner Chrome.
Before you clean the mixer with your own hands, make sure that the selected chemistry is suitable:
The composition should not contain acids (sulfuric, phosphoric or hydrochloric). Otherwise, the chrome deposited on the surface of the mixer will react with the acid and break down.
For the same reason, it is forbidden to use bleaches and rust removers.
Powdered products with abrasive particles can scratch the surface of the mixer, so they should be discarded. Do not mix different agents in one composition. The effect can be unpredictable.
Work is carried out in rubber gloves. The selected substance is applied to the parts, left for 0.5-1 hour and washed off.
Cleaning folk remedies
If there was no suitable chemistry at hand, then you can remove mineral deposits from the tap with folk remedies. In the stock of every housewife there is everything you need: laundry soap, vinegar, soda.
Laundry soap
Instructions on how to clean the faucet with soap include the following steps:
Dissolve soap in hot water. To save time, you can grate the soap. So it will dissolve much faster. The consistency of the working environment is approximately the same as that of thin sour cream. To enhance the effectiveness of the mixture, add a little soda to the solution and mix.
Apply the solution with a rag on the surface of the faucet, leave for an hour and rinse the plumbing under running water. The method allows you to remove plaque that has formed recently. But how to put in order taps with an old plaque?
Vinegar
more aggressive and fast remedy getting rid of plaque is 9% vinegar. It can be used plain or heated:
In its usual form, vinegar is diluted in equal proportions with water and applied to the mixer by wiping. After a few minutes, the product is washed off.
In a heated form, vinegar is applied to plumbing like a “compress”: a napkin soaked in hot liquid is wrapped around the product. They wait a couple of hours and remove the fabric, and wipe the treatment sites with a damp cloth.
Lemon acid
How else to clean the mixer? The answer to this question could be lemon acid. It is important to use it correctly, because rubbing dry citric acid is fraught with micro-scratches. They do it like this:
Sprinkle a little citric acid on a soft, damp cloth. Wipe places with limescale and leave the mixer for a few minutes alone. After exposure, the composition is washed off with running water, and the surfaces of the parts are thoroughly wiped.
A fresh lemon can be an excellent substitute for citric acid. For use, the fruit is cut in half and wiped with the cut point of the plumbing. After a short exposure, the surfaces are wiped.
Is it possible to avoid the formation of plaque?
Avoid the appearance of plaque inside the tap will not work. Although, in different regions Our country's water has different hardness, but it still contains a certain amount of magnesium and potassium salts, which form plaque.
But to bring external beauty and shine is quite possible if you make it a rule to wipe the mixer after use. For this purpose, a napkin or the soft side of a sponge is suitable.
One of the essential things for human existence in nature is water. In today's world, running water is in every building. In apartments, houses, cottages, every housewife is faced with the problem of cleaning water taps from lime (limescale). Since the water quality in Lately worsened significantly. What is this limescale and how to clean the faucet from limescale?
Limescale is calcium carbonate that remains on the surface of the faucet when the water evaporates. Gradually, mineral deposits build up, forming white crystals that clog pipes, faucets and drains. In scientific terms. And to put it more simply, white coating, headache, all housewives of kitchens and bathrooms. Polishing a faucet, sink, bath or shower to a shine is very tiring.
And how to avoid it, many will ask? Very simple! After each use of the faucet or bathtub, carefully wipe the faucet, sink or bathtub with a dry cloth, no matter what smudges and drips. And also about once a month arrange disinfection, which will be additional insurance not only from plaque, but also from mold and fungi. Because mold and mildew can cause a variety of illnesses, apart from making your kitchen or bathroom look unsightly.
What and how to clean the faucet from limescale?
Each housewife has her own signature recipe for getting rid of lime and soot. Someone came up with it himself, but someone remembers how our mothers or grandmothers did it. Let's consider some of them.
Recipe number 1. Acetic solution
There is vinegar on the kitchen shelf of every housewife. Apple, table, essence. The difference is only in the percentage component. The standard solution is usually prepared 1 to 1. As already mentioned, the difference is only in percentage. If you decide to cook washing solution from the essence, then the proportions should be as follows: 1 part of the essence and 14 parts of water. We prepared a solution, treated the surface, cleaned it with a sponge, washed it off with water, and wiped it with a cloth. Simple and fast!
Recipe number 2. Lemon acid
If you do not have citric acid at home, you can buy it at any store or kiosk. To clean the tap, we prepare a solution: for 1 liter of water, 4 tablespoons of citric acid. Apply the solution to the surface, leave for 2 hours, rinse, wipe with a cloth. Or pour citric acid on a damp cloth, wipe the surface, wait a few minutes, wash and wipe dry. Ready.
Recipe number 3. Baking soda and soap
Grandma's old way. Today, not every housewife remembers the amazing cleaning properties. laundry soap. And there are a lot of them. Here is one of them. In a container with hot water dip a piece of laundry soap, after it dissolves, add a little soda to the thick solution. The cleaning solution is ready. Carefully apply the solution to the surface, leave for an hour, rinse with water, wipe with a cloth. You can use.
Recipe number 4. Powder
Modern cleaning products are most often presented in the form of a powder. Many modern brands will give you a wide choice in the store, from cheap to expensive. The main thing to remember is that the powder is fine particles and they can leave scratches. Saturate a little powder on a damp sponge, treat the surface, rinse, wipe with a cloth. Everything glitters.
Recipe number 5. liquid agent
Like powder, liquid cleaners are very versatile. They are the easiest to work with. Apply to the surface, wipe, rinse with water, wipe dry with a cloth. It doesn't get easier. Also liquid. detergents it is preferable for removing plaque, because they treat the surface more carefully.
Recipe number 6. Coca Cola
After talking about special means, let's look at the henchmen. For example, Coca-Cola. And how to clean the faucet from limescale with soda? Yes, very easy! This will help the composition of the soda itself, in addition to sugar and caffeine, it contains acids. Wet a rag with soda, apply to the surface for 20 minutes, rinse, wipe dry. Among other things, Coca-Cola helps to get rid of bad smell, will help to clean the tap from the inside and remove blockages in the pipes.
Recipe number 7. baby oil
improvised tool that is often used for children is baby oil. Very few people know that baby oil can be used to remove limescale from a faucet. The composition of baby oil includes components that can dissolve limescale. Pour a little oil on the sponge, wipe the surface, wash the faucet and the surface from oil residues with water, and polish the faucet with a cloth.
In addition to plaque, baby oil can remove soap stains or grease stains.
Recipe number 8. Toothpaste and brush
The gentlest and most expensive way to deal with limescale is toothpaste. The most common whitening toothpaste. If it is able to remove plaque from the teeth, then why not remove plaque from the tap or bath. The main thing when cleaning is to use a brush with soft bristles. Apply the paste on the surface, wait a few minutes, rinse with water, wipe with a cloth. The main advantage of brushing with toothpaste is that its bristles clean even the most finely embossed surface, which a sponge or rag cannot cope with.
Also, indisputable helpers in the fight against limescale in the kitchen or in the bathroom are toothpicks and dishwashing nets. Toothpicks are used in cases where plaque deposits are small and faucet relief is acceptable. Taking a toothpick by both edges and pressing hard against the faucet, draw along the surface. And when using a dishwashing brush, remember that it should be soft and rub gently. Otherwise, scratches will remain.
After reviewing these recipes, each housewife can add her own way to deal with plaque. For example, salt or lemon, bleach or oxalic acid. There are really a lot of ways. Most importantly, when using these recipes, do not forget about protective equipment, rubber gloves and goggles. Because if cleaners get into your eyes, you can lose your sight or get serious injuries. Well, hands for a woman, as well as for a man, are a calling card, which outsiders first of all pay attention to. And scars and burns have not decorated anyone yet. Therefore, be careful, both to yourself and to those around you.
Before dealing with it, how to clean the shower head from limescale, you need to find out the causes of contamination of the through holes. Running water contains a large number of various inclusions - lime, iron, mineral deposits. It is they who turn new, shiny and sparkling plumbing into an unpleasant sight, which also significantly reduces the comfort of taking water procedures.
This problem is relevant for the majority of Russians connected to centralized water mains. If it is possible to fight it globally only at the national level, then the consequences of using dirty and excessive harsh running water everyone has to fix it on their own. Below are the most effective ways to remove limescale from the mixer with folk remedies without the use of expensive professional household chemicals.
Necessary tools, materials
The best remedy for limescale on faucets can be found in every kitchen. It's about vinegar. To enhance the effect in severely neglected cases, it is recommended to use baking soda and citric acid. In general, a standard watering can cleaning kit looks like this:
- Vinegar, 9%/baking soda/citric acid;
- Capacity/ plastic bag;
- Toothbrush / household brush;
- Elastic band stationery / lace / rope / adhesive tape / electrical tape;
- Rags and sponge with abrasive / steel wool;
- Screwdriver and gas wrench.
Most tools and materials are completely replaceable. That is, if there is no suitable container at hand, you can use a tight plastic bag. In the absence of an elastic band (clerical, for hair), you can use a cord or rope, adhesive tape, electrical tape.
But, before you clean the chrome faucet from plaque, you need to familiarize yourself with the precautions to avoid injury and unintentional damage to plumbing equipment.
Precautionary measures
In no case should you try to disassemble non-separable models of watering cans. In the future, such a product is simply impossible to glue.
- In no case should watering cans be boiled in an acetic solution - many coatings cannot withstand critical temperatures and the aggressive effects of acids. As a result, you can not only remove limescale on the mixer, but also partially or completely damage the surface of the watering can, its individual elements.
- You need to disassemble the watering can carefully so as not to lose (drop into the drain) the mounting bolts, rubber gaskets, and other small parts.
- Removing limescale from a faucet involves the use of rubber gloves for protection skin from chemical burns. It is also necessary to prevent the risk of getting vinegar or soda, "lemon" in the respiratory organs and eyes.
How to remove limescale from a faucet with vinegar?
Before you clean the mixer from limescale with 9% vinegar, you need to prepare a container or a plastic bag of the appropriate volume. It is desirable that the watering can be completely placed in the tank, including with a connecting thread.
- A solution is poured into the container - in a ratio of approximately 80% vinegar to 20% water, then a watering can is placed in it and, if there are fasteners, filter meshes, other details.
- The minimum cleaning time is 5-6 hours, but can be left overnight.
- If after this period there are still particles of plaque inside the passage holes of the watering can, they can be removed with a toothbrush, brush, toothpick or sewing needle.
After chemical cleaning, you need to assemble and connect the watering can by turning on warm water for maximum pressure. Time of mechanical washing - 1-2 minutes. After that, it is enough to wipe the plumbing with a dry soft cloth - green faucet disappears without leaving any marks or streaks.
Soda and vinegar from limescale on the faucet - an effective way to remove contaminants
If the shower faucet is fixed to the wall or wall of the cabin and its dismantling is undesirable, you can use a more effective composition - a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. The cleaning process is as follows:
- Mix 1 cup vinegar and 1/3 cup baking soda and pour into a plastic bag.
- A watering can is placed in the bag and fixed with an elastic band, rope, adhesive tape, electrical tape.
- The resulting structure is left for 3-5 hours or overnight.
- After removing the package, you need to turn on warm water at maximum pressure in order to remove the limestone formations and deposits inside.
At the end of the procedure, you need to wipe the mixer with a dry cloth. Using this method, you can wash the faucet from limescale with a minimum of effort.
Sometimes shower cabins are equipped with built-in points of directional water supply. They can also be cleaned with a vinegar and soda solution. To do this, mix the components in equal proportions, apply the mixture to the built-in mixer with a toothbrush or washcloth. After 4-6 hours, you can wash off the solution with water pressure and circular movements of the brush.
How to clean the shower head inside with citric acid?
"Lemon" is extremely effective if watering can clogged in the shower, which can, if not unscrewed, then placed in a container without disconnecting from the hose. Citric acid is poured into an enameled container and poured with boiling water, after which a watering can is placed in it for 10-20 minutes.
Upon completion of cleaning, it is also necessary to rinse the shower by turning on warm water at maximum power.
Preventive actions
White coating on the water faucet- a consequence of hard and dirty running water. To prevent the formation of plaque on plumbing, you need to install special water filters, which will trap lime, iron, mineral deposits and other small inclusions, impurities, blocking their entry into your faucets.
Faucets, bathrooms and kitchens often get limescale deposits. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have special cleaning products on hand. Clean the faucet or faucet from limescale ordinary lemon and baby oil will help.
Ways to remove limescale from the surface of a faucet or faucet
- Take a knife, cut lemon peel. We rub her faucet, faucet, sink. Gradually, lemon juice dissolves limescale. Now it remains to rinse the surface with water and wipe the tap with a dry cloth. The faucet shines, and the kitchen is in perfect order!
- Lime stains on faucets, soap deposits on faucets are eternal problems. We continue to remove them without the use of household chemicals! We take baby oil, apply on a soft cloth (a few drops are enough) and wipe the mixer. Then polish the surface with a dry cloth. Baby oil easily removes all faucet limescale, soap streaks and greasy stains.
Descalers
For adherents of household chemicals on the market there is a huge selection of cleaning products for cleaning the tap or mixer from limescale.Tip: when buying a special powder, carefully read the label. Otherwise, there is a risk of saying goodbye not only to plaque, but also to your own plumbing.
Anti-corrosion inhibitors
Cheap detergents do not contain valuable anti-corrosion inhibitors. Inhibitors prevent aggressive additives from damaging the metal. With them, the entire attack is directed exclusively at lime deposits. Therefore, look for in the composition of the product: anti-corrosion inhibitors.
Sulfuric, hydrochloric or nitric acid
Acids are heavy artillery for cleaning a faucet. They decompose not only plaque and rust, but also enamel and metal coating. Means with such acids can be used only in advanced cases and only with gloves on the hands.
For daily processing, it is better to choose softer products - based on surfactants. When they get into the water, they are almost completely biodegradable, and also do not damage the skin of the hands.
What to choose: liquid or cleaning agent?
The powder has an abrasive structure and is best used for cleaning bathtubs and sinks. caring about metal surfaces It is better to entrust liquid means. Apply the product on the surface, leave for 5-10 minutes, rinse with water. And enjoy the glitter!
