If you've got rust and mineral stains on your plumbing fixtures, they can be more than just unsightly to look at. They can also be damaging to your plumbing, resulting in clogs, reduced water flow, leaks, and burst pipes.
There are several tried and true methods that you can use to remove these stains from your plumbing fixtures before they wear away at them. Many of these methods use common household items that you likely already have on hand.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a fantastic cleaning agent because its acidity breaks down rust and mineral deposits without being a danger to surfaces. Apply some undiluted white vinegar to the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, then gently scrub away.
Detachable items like shower heads and faucet aerators can also be soaked in a vinegar solution for several minutes to remove stains.
Lemon Juice And Salt
The citric acid in lemon juice is great for removing rust and mineral buildup. Apply lemon juice and a sprinkle of salt on the affected area. This creates a cleaning paste.
Vigorously but gently scrub the area to remove buildup.
Baking Soda And Water
You probably have baking soda sitting in one of your cupboards right now. Apply a bit of water to the affected area, followed by a sprinkling of baking soda.
A gentle scrub should remove the stains with little effort.
Shaw’s Pads
Plumbers around the country swear by these cleaning pads, available at many hardware and plumbing supply stores. After lightly moistening a pad with water, use it scrub the stain clean.
Pumice Sticks
Similar to Shaw’s pads, pumice sticks work great at cleaning stains from porcelain, such as your toilet bowl, sink, or bathtub. Wet the stone and give your porcelain a good scrubbing.
Avoiding the causes of rust and mineral stains in the first place is better than having to treat them later. You can install a water softener system to keep hard water from entering your faucets and shower heads.
If you need help installing one, call on a professional plumber you can trust in Springfield, Missouri.
Whatever treatment method you choose, rust and mineral buildup isn’t something to be taken lightly. If you’ve suffered plumbing damage from excessive rust or mineral buildup, United Plumbing can help.
We offer our expert plumbing services 24/7, so reach out to us day or night for all of your plumbing needs.