How Do You Clean Calcium Deposits?

If you’ve ever pulled out your beautiful Stainless Clad cookware to find a blooming white, chalky residue on it, don’t panic. You’re not going to need to throw out the pan; it’s just a calcium deposit, or hard water buildup stain, that can be removed fairly easily using some common household items.

These mineral deposits occur when there’s a high concentration of minerals in your water supply. The minerals, which can include magnesium, potassium and calcium, are picked up by groundwater as it flows through soil and rocks. Once in your home, the water becomes saturated with these minerals and can build up on fixtures like toilets, sinks, showers and faucets. They can also cause clogs, which can be costly to repair or replace.

Calcifications are often seen on the exterior of building materials, such as masonry and stone. They look a little like salt crystals, and can be an indicator of water damage. They are also commonly known as efflorescence and calcium deposits, and can be an unpleasant sight to see on surfaces like countertops, tile, brick and concrete.

They may appear on walls and surfaces that have been sprayed with a cleaner or wiped frequently, such as entryway walls, fireplace surrounds, damp mopped floors and areas of countertops that get heavy use. They can also build up in bathroom showers, where a lot of water is exposed to surfaces every time someone takes a bath or shower.

While many calcifications are benign, they can sometimes be the result of a disease or condition. If your doctor suspects a calcification is malignant, they will probably recommend that you have a biopsy done to determine if it’s cancerous or not. They will likely also recommend physical therapy, ice packs and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to help manage your symptoms.

One of the easiest ways to clean calcium deposits is by wrapping a cloth in vinegar and scrubbing it over your fixtures. You can also use a commercial descaling solution, such as CLR or Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover. If you choose to use any of these methods, it’s important that you turn off your water before starting and set aside buckets full of water, so you can flush the pipes afterward. These cleaning methods are only temporary, and can be very difficult to keep up with if the buildups keep coming back, so it’s a good idea to install a water softener to avoid these issues altogether. It will cost a bit more upfront, but it’s an investment that will pay off over the long term.