Why Do I Have White Residue on My Shower and Faucet?

Hard water leaves a white residue because it contains dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium.

Fortunately, there are hassle-free ways to remove limescale and soften your water!

If you’ve noticed an unsightly buildup of white, powdery residue around your faucets and showerhead, you’re not alone.
This stubborn white film, known as limescale, comes from having hard water, which is a common household nuisance that plagues many homeowners. Thankfully, there are several affordable solutions available to help you and your family enjoy clean, pure water!

Read on and discover more about:

The causes of hard water in your home
Risks and problems associated with tap water that’s high in minerals
How to get rid of white stains and limescale on your sinks, faucets, and fixtures
How Angel Water provides affordable fixes for your hard water frustrations

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Why is there a white crust on my faucet?

Water hardness is caused by the presence of compounds of calcium and magnesium, and by a variety of other dissolved metals. Water is designated as “hard’ when it contains more than 61 milligrams per liter of calcium carbonate, per the US Geological Survey.

Many municipalities in Illinois and Florida get their tap water from rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers, where it absorbs mineral content from rocks and soil.

Even though this supply is treated and filtered, micro- or nanoscopic particulates of minerals and harmful metals can still make it to your taps. When this mineral-rich water reaches your home and evaporates on surfaces, it leaves behind those pesky white deposits.

Some of these contaminants can pose a serious health risk, especially for children or those with chronic health conditions.

White residue from hard water can be a sign of bigger problems.

It’s more than just crusty faucets, hazy glasses, and cloudy dishes.

This unwelcome guest isn’t just an aesthetic issue — it’s a sign of mineral-rich water that can cause significant problems throughout your home. When water evaporates, these minerals and other particulates are left behind, creating the white, crusty residue known as limescale.

Having untreated hard water causes a number of plumbing, maintenance, and skin troubles, along with potentially more serious impacts for you and your loved ones.

It’s harder to feel truly clean.

Annoying limescale (sometimes called calcium buildup) on your kitchen and bathroom fixtures is just one more side effect of having hard water in your home, which can also lead to:

Gray, dingy stains in your sinks, showers, and tubs
Stained, discolored, or itchy clothing
Toilet malfunctions
Etched or cloudy glassware, kitchen implements, and dishes
Decreased effectiveness of cleaning products

Charged magnesium and calcium particles present in your home’s hard water react with common soap and detergent ingredients to create an insoluble substance called soap scum, which is very difficult to rinse off and strips the natural oils from your skin and hair. Severe dryness, irritation, clogged pores, acne, and dermatitis can all result from using unfiltered tap water for bathing. It can also worsen skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

White residue is a signal that expensive repairs could be in your future.

Residue and limescale affects more than just your faucets and showerheads. It’s also a sign that destructive sediments are accumulating in your washing machine, dishwasher, and hot water heater, reducing the efficiency of these appliances while shortening their lifespan.

The buildup of scale reduces the capacity of your plumbing system, making your expensive major appliances work harder and use more energy. Clogged pipes increase the likelihood of leaks, overflows, and indoor flooding, and no homeowner wants to deal with those headaches.

Other Threats Obscured by White Residue on Your Shower

While a quick round of Googling may show that hard water has no serious health effects, the truth is much more complex.

It’s true that some minerals known to be present in municipal water, like calcium and magnesium, can be beneficial to your health in small amounts. However, tap water can contain a host of toxins, chemicals, microbes, and other contaminants that are detrimental to you and your family’s well-being.

According to the National Institutes of Health, “hardness can be caused by several other dissolved metals, including aluminum, barium, strontium, iron, zinc, and manganese.” Tap water can also contain arsenic, lead, and other known carcinogens.

No one wants to expose their loved ones to potentially dangerous water that tastes bad and smells foul. Now is the perfect time to be proactive and ensure your family has reliable access to clean, pure water. It all starts with comprehensive testing and professional guidance.

If you’re sick of white residue and the problems caused by hard water, keep reading to discover how to protect your family for good!

How to Get Rid of White Residue and Limescale

If your fixtures are already plagued with yucky white residue, don’t worry — there are ways to clean it effectively. While investing in a water softening system is the best solution, you can tackle scaly faucets and fixtures with these methods:

Step 1: Test Your Water

The first step in dealing with water contamination of any kind is to have it tested. An EPA-certified water test will tell you exactly what minerals and heavy metals you’re dealing within your home’s water supply. Once you know the facts, you can make the most educated decision about how to proceed.

Step 2: Clean Buildup and Stains with Household Remedies

Vinegar is acidic and can dissolve limescale buildup. Soak a cloth in vinegar, wrap it around the affected area, and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. For tougher stains, make a paste with baking soda and vinegar, apply it to the surface, and scrub gently with a brush.

Lemon juice works similarly to vinegar, and the citric acid in lemon juice can break down limescale while leaving behind a fresh citrus scent. Rub a cut lemon directly on affected areas or secure a lemon half to fixtures overnight.

Hydrogen peroxide is also useful in the battle against white residue and limescale on glass, tile, or faucets. While it performs amazingly on its own, some elbow grease will be needed to truly lift and remove hard water stains and buildup.

Step 3: Explore the Benefits of Soft Water

With all of the problems related to hard water in your home, it makes sense to explore the benefits of soft water and take steps to effectively resolve this issue for the long term.

Soft water is better for your family’s sensitive skin, hair, and overall health. You’ll save money on cleaning products, you’ll extend the lifespan of your major appliances, and you’ll avoid having to deal with constant white residue on your shower, faucets, and fixtures.

A professional water test can help you determine the best water softener for your household’s needs and water usage. It pays to do your research!

Step 4: Invest in a Water Softener or Whole-House Filtration System

How do you keep hard water from causing all this trouble in your home? The answer is surprisingly easy!

The best solution for white residue on your shower and faucets is a home water softener system that’s installed by a knowledgeable licensed plumber.

Salt-based softeners remove iron through a process known as ion-exchange. The most trustworthy water softeners on the market are NSF/ANSI 44 certified systems. You can view the certified water softeners we sell at Angel Water at the link below.

Get Clean, Pure Water Today!

Larger amounts of heavy metals and other toxic contaminants require flawless water filtration. The device we recommend for this is a professionally installed reverse osmosis (RO) system. This type of system forces your tap water through multiple layers of high-tech filtration to remove minerals, metals, and many other contaminants. You can learn more about our NSF/ANSI 58 certified RO systems below.

Enjoy the many benefits of healthy water!

Need More Help with White Residue on Your Shower and Faucets?

Homeowners across the country routinely deal with limescale buildup on fixtures and the many problems associated with this issue, and we understand the frustration and stress caused by exposing your family to potentially unsafe water.

That’s why it’s our mission to provide healthier hydration, softer skin and hair, substantial savings, and increased appliance efficiency for households in Barrington, IL, and the greater Chicagoland region. We also serve the West Palm Beach area and Broward County communities in the state of Florida. Reach out today to talk to an expert and schedule a free consultation!

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Please call us today at (847) 382-7800

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Why Do I Have White Residue on My Shower and Faucet?

Hard water leaves a white residue because it contains dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium.

Fortunately, there are hassle-free ways to remove limescale and soften your water!

Why is there a white crust on my faucet?

White residue from hard water can be a sign of bigger problems.

It’s more than just crusty faucets, hazy glasses, and cloudy dishes.

It’s harder to feel truly clean.

White residue is a signal that expensive repairs could be in your future.

Other Threats Obscured by White Residue on Your Shower

How to Get Rid of White Residue and Limescale

Step 1: Test Your Water

Step 2: Clean Buildup and Stains with Household Remedies

Step 3: Explore the Benefits of Soft Water

Step 4: Invest in a Water Softener or Whole-House Filtration System

Need More Help with White Residue on Your Shower and Faucets?

Please call us today at (847) 382-7800

Get A Free Water Test

Discover Clean Water with the PurASure Countertop RO System

Order this week for FREE SHIPPING!

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