How To Clean Calcium Off Faucets (HowToLou.com)

If you have hard water, your faucets can build up calcium and get slow and ugly. Here is how to clean them.

[@HowToLou]

Links to pliers and acids: www.amazon.com/shop/howtolou

[@bamit1979]

Pretty much how all DIY videos should be. Short and precise with all the information within. Thanks for sharing!

[@lauraa9413]

Yes! Like I don’t want to hear your whole life story lol

[@StormyFae1]

You don't want to pour it too fast or it can blow up.- That made me chuckle, said it so casually. Very informative video nonetheless!

[@周泽宇-o8b]

Same here.....😹😂😂🤣

[@jojobeansworld]

Lol me too 😄

[@joeyoliver579]

Had I not watched the whole video I would have poured it straight down the sink and blown my kitchen up lol

[@KittyGotWett]

Lmao I’ll stick to the white vinegar

[@latrintychansler6004]

I was like wtf 😭🤣😐😂no baby call the plumber NOW

[@patdanponce235]

Best and most excellent way to present ANY how-to video; short and to-the-point without over-explaining!

[@roberth5696]

Awesome video I respect how you even showed what happened to the sink afterwards, most people would delete that because they’re too afraid to say they made a mistake..

[@catmomlavender3036]

Right! This guy is awesome for giving us an extra tip

[@madonnahagedorn5649]

Oh my! The acid works well but it's a little too caustic for me to try. I think I will let it soak in CLR. That's also strong. Thank you for your helpful video that shows us a choice using what we are comfortable with.

[@empiricallystupid6578]

Pro-tip: wrap parts with electrical tape or a rag when using pliers/wrench to unscrew them. Saves you from permanently scratching and marring your "designer" pieces. Alternatively you can buy "soft-jaw" pliers/wrenches that have a rubber coating on them.

[@diannaa6189]

I had watched "several" videos on how to remove very severe hard water stains and the white residue that just won't go away. I watched this video, bought what you said and BAM! Done and done. I am so happy. Thank you.

[@Lisa-yogurt]

Dianna A did you use clr ir the last one???

[@drhaxan]

Thank you so much for the video. I was struggling with my faucet as it barely got any water out. I was unaware of how easy it is to do this and I'm very happy now to finally have water back again. Thank you so so much!

[@Mandy_39]

Just curious, did you use the acid or something else lol?! I actually have some of that stuff & it scares me 😂

[@gtrartnow]

THANK YOU !!!!!!! I used the Muriatic acid to clean my hose spout because I couldn't screw on the hose!!!!!! I was brushing it with steel wool and using a tiny file but I gave up in disgust... decided to check youtube and watched your video.... put a little acid in a plastic cup held it under the spout with it submerged for 20 seconds and viola.... Im am a happy camper!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ROCK!!!!

[@MrEndorfun]

Great advise - including the "other side of the sink"!

[@BUSTRCHERRI]

*advice.

[@simonscreams5546]

My dad has never cleaned a sink faucet or shower head and it was getting really annoying so this will be very useful

[@TheTerminator1919]

this was straight to the point and the ending was awesome.

[@pjsaki4797]

I have calcium build up on my salt generator for my swimming pool and I usually do a 4 parts water to 1 part muriatic acid mix and it cleans all of the cells on my generator and I usually just throw the leftover acid mix in our pool. I didn't realize I could do this on our kitchen faucet as well. Thanks for the tip. CLR didn't work after soaking it for a 1 hour.

[@FrankDrankA_Skank]

Short Very explanatory Step by step Cautions What a how to video should be like

[@tullyfully5214]

great video, simple and straight to the point

[@xiadani_figueroa]

Best video I've seen on removing limescale. Thank you!

[@mitchcrilly1291]

PLEASE WEAR EYE PROTECTION FOLKS, no matter how careful you are, anything can happen ! Great Video, please make sure it's ok w/your local water/sewage company before dumping down the drain !

[@ibpaddy65]

Mitch Crilly and well ventilated too... open the windows or take it outside.

[@jimstanley_49]

Especially if you're going to use a brush. For the bowl dip stuff, you can get by with generic safety glasses. With a brush, that stuff is going to fly everywhere. You'll want to at least add a face shield, but switching to goggles would be better.

[@deborahschale6263]

Thank you for your video! Now, I understand why the white vinegar & the CLR didn’t clean it either didn’t clean my bathroom as fast as other videos said it would! I wish I would’ve seen your video 1st before these others!

[@arrow3079]

Thanks for this video! Very informative and straight to the point!

[@maxroderics]

Many thanks to the maker...just needed to know the trick and it worked like a charm ❤️

[@newdaveeh]

I just did this for a bathroom faucet, worked like a charm!!! Thank you so much!!

[@Mandy_39]

Did you use the acid or something else?

[@SheilaBer]

Thanks very much for your help. Great information!

[@GrinderMagee]

Damn! This man values his time. Risk/reward maxxed out boss lvl 💯

[@mediolanumhibernicus3353]

Excellent video. Very helpful. Thanks

[@johnrespect4215]

GREAT VIDEO Sir! Helped a lot

[@amanda_rae91]

I wonder if this would work to clean hard water residue off of old windows?

[@HowToLou]

Absolutely. Acid eats calcium. I use it for drinking glasses and shower doors too

[@exCanadian]

Dude. old video but that was bang on.

[@kitten7475]

Excellent video, and super satisfying.

[@louiselincoln]

Awesome video, really clear. Thanks.

[@kellycaaws]

OR IT CAN BLOW UP?!?!?!?!?! Wow nonchalant much? lol. (no, i'm glad you made it very very clear how important it is to take care, i'm just saying..... BLOW UP?!)

[@yappiyaps66]

what if my issue is internal? for example, i cannot remove the nozzles, can i use the acid in plastic bag as one would do with the vinegar technique? The problem i have is that i don't have removable nozzles on my bathroom sinks. Or brush it off?

[@HowToLou]

I would soak a paper towel in acid and hold it up under your faucet with a rubber glove. You may have to hit it a few times and also scrub with and old toothbrush.

[@ladyfame1430]

I was scared you were going to spill the acid on your countertop 😭😭😭 lol

[@HowToLou]

Its sealed granite, so it would be ok for a few seconds anyway.

[@norsemanshorn3988]

New sub here Lou! Thanks for short to the point videos. I encourage all to watch all the ads as this dude deserves our support. 👍

[@HowToLou]

Thank you!

[@yadvendrayadav6664]

Any other option for dipping liquid cuz muriatic acid is costly

[@HowToLou]

it is only four dollars a gallon

[@anakondaxxx85]

Can I use this acid for brass faucets? It was removed from old bathroom has a bad calcium buildup.

[@HowToLou]

Yes, followed by brass polish

[@nellyquinones4152]

I live in housing and the bathroom faucet (stainless steel) was replaced by a used and scratched faucet that does not look like stainless steel. I think the faucet made of another metal. Can I still use the acid or vinegar without damaging it further?

[@HowToLou]

Yes, it will work just fine. Acid dissolves calcium very quickly, so just leave it in a few seconds, and then rinse.

[@nellyquinones4152]

Thanks. Happy Halloween 🎃

[@phamster18]

dude, your video is great.. and funny at the end.. very informative and entertaining also... keep up the good work.. i have a slow pressure or low pressure kitchen faucet, the pull down delta you removed last in this clip... will check out if it has debris in it first..

[@sylviajohnson5709]

Ct Pham Ronhazleton

[@oneupkoopa4980]

Great how to video. I like the humor at the end.

[@romilalal5197]

Thanks for this informative video.

[@seanmichael7714]

Fantastic video great job and thanks!

[@awkwardpaulie]

At work we have harsh build up in our bread proofer & I'm trying to find a way to get it out. Scrubbing it & soaking with vinegar or lemon juice only goes so far. Thank you! I'll send this to my manager and hope we can use this method!

[@jojobeansworld]

This is super helpful!

[@nineallexis]

Great video! I was amazed by the end result! Did you say it took one week soaking with white vinegar???

[@nineallexis]

one more thing, my build up is actually brown color, looks like corrosion or rusty. Will this work too?

[@HowToLou]

Yes, vinegar is much slower, but it will eventually work. If you go that route, replace the vinegar with fresh, once a day and scrub the minerals with an old toothbrush. There are all kinds of minerals in the water and they have lots of colors. If you think it is rust, you may want to go the CLR route. I helps remove Calcium, Lime, and Rust.

[@nineallexis]

Thank you very much!

[@yvonnemagneheim6270]

Lou, this is great information. I have hard water and all my faucets and surrounding areas get hard calcium/rusty type build up, can I use the muriatic acid on the surrounding areas such as my porcelain sink and laminate counters in the kitchen and carrera marble vanity in the bathroom? Around the bathroom faucets it looks all rusty and won't come off. Many thanks!!

[@HowToLou]

+Yvonne Magneheim - sink and counters should be fine, but I would be careful around the marble. I'm not sure if acid would hurt marble. On all surfaces, check by dabbing a small amount of acid on with a Q-tip in a less visible area and see how it does.

[@yvonnemagneheim6270]

Thank you Lou. I am so impressed that you answered my question so quickly. I'll let you know how it goes, I am so anxious to try the acid. thanks again!!

[@hayankk]

So Did it work on marble vanity etc? I am assuming you had a buildup on the faucet

[@swetalpatel6722]

@@yvonnemagneheim6270 did it work

[@MargauxNeedler]

"...or it can blow up." Omgawd 🤣😬

[@davidplata1302]

does the acid not damage the metal?

[@larsonfamilyhouse]

Also soak your faucet pipes where the head attaches with a bag of vinegar so it cleans out the inside end of the gross pipe where it connects

[@PunisherPlaythroughs]

I just wanted to say thanks! I love your videos! You make things very easy to understand and I find them very helpful!! Please keep making these informative and fun videos!

[@isithotmama]

I'm going to try this but I think I will take everything outside on the concrete and use my hose or a bucket with cold water to rinse. Can I get the muriatic acid at home depot or Lowes?

[@HowToLou]

+isithotmama - yes, you can get acid in the tile area. Put down plastic as acid will etch concrete. Once you rinse with lots of water, its ok.

[@Mandy_39]

@@HowToLou do you know where I can safely dispose of a whole bottle of this stuff? I had to use it for something awhile back & I want nothing more to do with it lol.

[@akiharuhino]

Thank you this helps alot

[@tiryntc6326]

Awesome video Thank you!

[@Sathia403]

Very useful thanks

[@bazaaro1]

thx. l appreciate the simple demo .

[@DontCareBeare.5791]

Literally, just did this on my kitchen and bathroom faucets. Lol. So weird it came up on my feed.

[@mroudi1]

perfect. thanks!

[@annkent5504]

Great Video!! Straight to the point, and so glad we didn't blow up, LOL

[@ubershredder1989]

its seems the bulk of the blokage is in the hot water (bulb) valve... is there anyway that can be cleaned? ive been told I need to replace the whole faucet...

[@HowToLou]

You can probably replace just the hot valve. Here are two videos where I fix dripping faucets by replacing valves. The same would apply to your blockage. How to Fix a Dripping Faucet kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGnZm6hraceapK8 How To Fix a Dripping Moen Faucet (HowToLou.com) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJjNqGuKrt2BhZo

[@lakevacm]

Does the original OG work on calcified pipes?

[@Silvereagledude]

Good stuff

[@GodFamilyRockRollLife]

This video was fantastic - thank you!!!

[@chukandsarahpratt]

thank you!!!

[@Rocksandham]

Can you use this on oil rubbed bronze?

[@creeisaacson]

Is it safe to pour that acid down the sink?

[@HowToLou]

+Cree Lynn - yes, just wash down with lots of water. Draino is about the same level of acid

[@mmd1342]

Excellent video

[@michaelgreene1736]

Hi do you have a recommended product for brushed nickel faucets? I'm having difficulty removing water spots

[@HowToLou]

Get a paper towel damp with vinegar. Rub until spots are gone, then immediately wipe off with a water soaked paper towel a few times to get all the vinegar off. Left too long, it can dull the finish

[@jasonventuri4469]

Great video- I can't figure out how to get the end off without tearing up my chrome finish. I don't really see how it comes off..

[@HowToLou]

Jason Venturi - Wrap a thick rubber band or several layers of electrical tape on the end (screen) of the faucet and then twist off with a pair of pliers. It loosens clockwise as you look down on it. or counter-clockwise, if you were looking up at it from the drain.

[@dalewalker4614]

If you know a nurse or someone working at a hospital or anywhere they take blood samples via venipuncture to get you a couple of the rubber tourniquets they use to start IV's or draw blood. They are a single use item so they get thrown in the trash after one use. They are WONDERFUL to wrap once around a smooth jar lid and have great traction so you can break the seal and take off the lid (great as we get older). I have used them to wrap around the aerator and protect it from the jaws of a wrench. They work perfectly and the high-grade rubber should last at least 10-20 years before breaking down. Good luck using this little tip in your home.

[@Monkeyboy-xx1xi]

Will CLR or the muriatic acid burn off the paint on my oil rubbed bronze painted faucets?

[@HowToLou]

+Monkeyboy1123 - I would be careful with them. Maybe test a small spot with a q-tip on the underside of the faucet, where you can't see it. Also, the acid reacts instantly with calcium and other minerals, but luckily much slower on metals. So, if you get a little on the faucet, just rinse it off quickly, and you will be ok.

[@cutebarlow]

We used CLR on our oil rubbed bronze faucets and it started wearing off the finish. I'm looking for an alternative!

[@medotaku9360]

Those gloves (in particular) are not appropriate for handling strong acids. If I'm not mistaken, those are Nitrile gloves, right? They're better than nothing but you shouldn't use just any "gloves" for handling hazardous materials! (goggles are important, too. I've had a few drops of acids land on my eyewear enough times to know their worth)

[@HowToLou]

+Med Otaku - Good point on goggles. I just use cheap latex gloves. If you ever get any acid on your skin, just rinse with water immediately and you will be fine.

[@lbdonp]

great video! thanks for sharing. I have a question or two.. I need to replace my old delta wall mount faucet (that they don't make anymore) that is damaged. The bit of a leak it had ran down to the main pipes on the house where the faucet is attached to and has a lot of calcium/lime build up. Would this work to clean it off without damaging the main home pipes so I can unscrew them off? Also the sink is a ceramic sink, would this damage ceramic? Thank you.

[@HowToLou]

+Don P - Acid eats the calcium, other minerals, and rust very quickly and metal very slowly, if at all. You can let the acid work for 30 seconds or so, and then rinse it off. However, you should also be able to just scrape it off the pipes with a knife or wire brush, and that might even be easier. Acid does not harm ceramic or porcelain, so it should be fine. To be absolutely sure, test a small, non-visible spot on the sink, with acid on a q-tip first.

[@lbdonp]

Thank you, I appreciate the response.. great vids. take care.

[@bigr8499]

Awesome video... wondering how you think this would work on the metal framed shower doors. Mine have massive buildup.

[@HowToLou]

+Ryan Bauerschmidt - Yes, I have another video on HowToLou.com that shows cleaning shower walls, the same way. Soap scum is not really soap at all. It is calcium, and acid eats it fast. This works great on shower glass and metal doors. Make sure you ventilate well.

[@addickted2gaming723]

Thanks it worked!!!!!

[@sellyourhomenowbook]

😂 love the ending and nice job!

[@spunky2007h]

I decided to use CLR with a spray bottle and soaked rag. I left overnight and in morning in took off parts the Chrome finish on my sink faucet. Can I fix this somehow?

[@HowToLou]

+spunky2007h - Did you soak the whole faucet? I just put acid on the very bottom edge to soak the calcium. You can buy chrome spay paint. Mask off the part where the water comes out, with tape, before you spray, or it will clog.

[@dalewalker4614]

@@HowToLou Spray paint??? Once the CLR ate away or delaminated the layer of chrome on the fixture the finish cannot be repaired. It would be very difficult to prep the faucet and get paint to adhere to the brass or chrome and would need to be repainted on a regular basis. IMHO spunky2007h would be best served to start saving and replace the entire faucet when they can afford a new one. Great video by the way, and glad you didn't blow up your drain pipe!

[@MargauxNeedler]

Satisfying!!!

[@BriTube007]

Neutralize acid before dumping. Mix baking soda in water and drip that into your little bowl until it stops foaming. Also the acid will also react with stainless steel so do not leave any on your sink or use a stainless bowl.

[@FranklinSan]

Thanks dude!

[@fragrantrivers8071]

THANKS!

[@COH2000]

How do these 3 products affect the rubber like washers. Should they be removed before cleaning?

[@HowToLou]

None of those cleaners hurt rubber

[@COH2000]

Thank you.

[@Mizernyi]

what's that green stuff on the bottom of the head?

[@HowToLou]

Very likely oxidized copper from the copper water pipes. It has that exact shade of green.

[@edwardseltzner5567]

Can you pour acid into a regular drain if you have a well and septic?

[@HowToLou]

Yes, just make you dilute it. A teaspoon of muriatic acid in a cup of water is less acidic than a cup of vinegar

[@mjg4211]

🤣🤣🤣 end of the video pretty funny 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@roshondamaxiex5799]

What would you suggest to clean oil rubbed bronze?

[@HowToLou]

I would go with CLR, just because Muriatic acid is so dangerous. The important thing is to just dip about a quarter inch or less into the acid. You just want to get acid on the calcium, not on the whole faucet. Its best to unscrew the faucet screen, like I did in the video, so you don’t get any acid on the nice part of your faucet.

[@stevec9669]

My problem is I can not even take it apart. What can I do to loosen it up so that I can unscrew it?

[@HowToLou]

Dab some acid up there with a q tip

[@stevec9669]

@@HowToLou Thanks.

[@newcreation07]

Lou are you sure that diluted muriatic won’t kill off bacteria in a septic tank?

[@HowToLou]

Yep, its no stronger than vinegar when it’s diluted.

[@ssharifi8848]

thanks

[@KPad87]

Use that acid for my toilet water ring ?

[@HowToLou]

Turn the water off and flush twice to get the water level lower in the bowl. Let dry for about an hour, and then drip acid around the ring with an eye dropper.

[@KPad87]

Thanks 👍

[@larsonfamilyhouse]

Wrap pliers with masking tape so you don’t hurt the chrome or silver polish or whatever it’s called. Wrap each plier side with the tape and problem solved.

[@TheSoloAsylum]

It wont blow up and you can wet sand the sink with 2000 grit paper with the grain of the sink and it will look like brand new.

[@sathishkumar-fu1sp]

What spanner u used?tell the spanner name

[@HowToLou]

Links to pliers (spanners) and acids at Amazon.com/shop/HowToLou

[@erikdavidson4914]

Just wanted to use vinegar on my bathroom sink plug. Didn't take too long.

[@jeffmabry7775]

HowToLou, I assume that you have well water in your home which = hard water!

[@HowToLou]

+Kirk Allen -good guess. You would think! No, unfortunately this is actually city water

[@MostlyDrew]

Stupid question, if this stuff is dangerous when swallowed then using to clean your kitchen and bathroom faucets be a bad idea? Rinsing in cold water is really all you need to clean it off after having it sit in acid?

[@HowToLou]

+Mostly Drew No question is stupid. That is actually a very good one. Acid is dangerous at high concentrations, but safe at low concentrations. Vinegar is a weak acid, for example, and you can drink it. So, you use the power of the concentrated acid, and once it does what you need, you dilute it with a lot of water and rinse it down the drain. Think of the other end of the spectrum. Dish washing detergent is a strong base, opposite acid, but just as deadly. We use it to wash our glasses, and then rinse and then drink from them. Its the exact same principle. -Lou

[@MostlyDrew]

+HowToLou Thanks for the response!

[@b00lduck]

Citric acid will do the job too - not that fast but less dangerous!

[@dalewalker4614]

One more use for OJ!

[@F80__Los]

Does gasoline get it off?

[@HowToLou]

Not at all. Gasoline melts petroleum based products, like oil and grease. Acid melts calcium, lime, and rust.

[@christinamartinez8132]

That looks scary. 😳

[@Bellamammal]

Right? Also, if it removes all the calcium & lime corrosion, wouldn't it obliterate your seals & gaskets & any plastic parts? Finally, if I caught my husband f'ing around with that crap around my kitchen sink there would be total hell to pay! Lastly, this could not be ok to pour down your sink.

[@TheDimanoid999]

Wanted to clean faucets. Ended to clean sink. There's always a bigger fish.

[@MeeZyStudioZ]

Him: Dont pour it too fast or it will blow up... Me: Blow up you say?? Hmmmm... 🤔😅

[@JimBryson1]

I'd put something down to protect the granite countertop. Even worse than staining the sink!

[@Randomd0g]

Jessica Raymond: it might be good to start out with a lower grit and work your way up to 800 if you’re looking for a really smooth finish. You need to make sure you work your way up though (don’t go directly from 400 to 800) because if you don’t you’ll end up polishing the larger scratches from the lower grit sandpaper and you’d get a weird finish.

[@newcreation07]

And muriatic acid will eat away metal if you leave it on for too long

[@HowToLou]

Yep, dip for a few seconds and rinse, as shown. Acid eats calcium very quickly and metal very slowly.