Descaling faucets, shower heads, etc. – tips and tricks | Duravit
Descaling Faucets, Shower Heads, Etc. – Tips and Tricks
Cleanliness
and hygiene are particularly important in the bathroom. Cleaning the bathroom
on a regular basis should always be part of your household cleaning routine.
While the toilet and sink are usually at the top of the cleaning list, bathroom faucets
should not be overlooked either. The simple flow of water through the faucets
can cause limescale to form, which can potentially limit their function and
also represent a breeding ground for bacteria. Cleaning them isn't necessarily
as complicated as you might initially think. Read on for an explanation of how
to descale faucets
and shower heads.
1. Clean the faucet
Before you start removing limescale from the faucet, it should be thoroughly cleaned. Water and a normal, not overly harsh cleaning product are usually all that are needed. The faucet should then be dried off.
2a. Descaling the faucet (without removing it)
When you go about removing limescale from your faucets, you don't have to reach for the tools right away. A balloon or a freezer bag and an old toothbrush can be put to good use here.
Simply fill the balloon or freezer bag with a mixture of water and the descaler you've decided to go with. Then place it over the entire faucet so that the front end – the part called the aerator, also known as the aerator nozzle, jet regulator or sometimes simply the faucet screen – is completely covered with the mixture. If you use a freezer bag, it can be held in place with a rubber band.
The length of time the faucet should soak depends on how much limescale is present and the concentration of the descaler used. You can then remove the bag (or balloon) and remove any residual scale with a toothbrush. Rinse all the parts thoroughly afterward.
Our tip: If the scale buildup isn't too severe, 20 minutes is usually enough of a soak, but sometimes soaking overnight is recommended. If you aren't sure, check whether the limescale has dissolved at regular intervals and don't leave the faucet soaking in the descaler for too long. If any limescale remains on the faucet after this cleaning, you can repeat these steps again.
2b. Descaling the faucet (after removing it)
Depending on the model of the faucet and how much limescale is present, removing the aerator first may be advisable. This is easy to do with most faucets – sometimes even by hand. If not, a pair of pliers can help, but be careful not to scratch the faucet in the process. It's a good idea to close off the sink drain beforehand to prevent anything from accidentally disappearing down the drain.
Then you can easily dismantle the aerator into its three component parts – screen, nut and sealing ring. You can descale the nut and the faucet screen by soaking them in a mixture of descaler and water. Don't soak the sealing ring in descaler, though. It's very easy to clean limescale off of it and the plastic can become porous after prolonged contact with descaler.
After soaking, rinse all of the parts with water. This approach offers the advantage of being able to thoroughly clean the faucet screen and remove any other dirt that may be present. The aerator can then be reassembled and installed on the faucet.
3. Descaling faucet handles
Faucet handles that have become hard to turn are often a sign of limescale buildup. The first step to take in this case is to try cleaning them from the outside. The same mixture as in the second step above can be used, in addition to a cloth or an old toothbrush. Depending on the design of the faucet, you might also be able to completely surround it with a balloon or a freezer bag when soaking it in step two and clean it this way.
If this doesn't work though, the handles on the faucet with limescale buildup will need to be removed first. These can then be soaked in the descaler mixture, as in step two, and then cleaned of any residual limescale. They can then be reinstalled after a thorough rinse.
Descaling shower heads
The spray nozzles on most shower heads these days are at least partially made of plastic, such as silicone. In these cases, it's usually easy enough to simply wipe the limescale away. It's better to avoid using a brush when descaling your shower head: it's relatively easily to accidentally damage the nozzles on a modern shower head. Limescale deposits on metal parts, on the other hand, can usually be wiped away using a cloth, a descaler mixture, or a toothbrush. If your shower head doesn't have any plastic parts, it can be soaked and then descaled just like the aerator on your sink faucet. In the case of a permanently installed overhead shower head, the spray nozzles can often be easily removed, and some are even dishwasher-safe. Then descale the rest of the shower head parts like you would the sink faucet.
Descaling mixer taps
If there is limescale on the mixer tap, a good cleaning from the outside is recommended. If this isn't possible, it will generally be difficult to descale the mixer tap without removing it first . The exact procedure will vary depending on the model, but once the mixer tap has been removed, you can leave it to soak it in a descaler mixture.
Regular cleaning:
Bathroom faucets should be
cleaned at least once a week with a mild cleaner.
Drying the faucets:
If the faucets get wet when
you use them, drying them off afterward is recommended.
Water filter:
The effectiveness of water
filters against limescale is up for debate. However, if you have especially
hard water in your area, it might be worth giving it a try.
