Hard water marks on faucets are like fingerprints on stainless steel appliances — unsightly little reminders of daily life that nobody enjoys the look of. The unfortunate truth is that these spots are unavoidable if you use the sink or tub. However, you can keep your fixtures looking shinier for longer with a simple trick,…
More Than Just a Warm Glow
In addition to setting a relaxing mood, candles are an unlikely secret weapon for preventing water marks on faucets. While there’s no way to avoid these marks altogether, you can keep your fixtures looking clean for days longer. The wax acts as a protective layer, which causes the water to bead up and roll off instead of sitting on the surface and leaving behind mineral deposits.
Wax On, Water Off
To get started, you’ll need a white, unscented candle — skip those with colors or scents, as they could stain the finish and leave your bathroom reeking of patchouli. Beyond that, all you’ll need is a microfiber cloth. If you don’t have a candle or would prefer not to waste one, wax paper, beeswax bars, and even jarred wax work just as well. As long as the substance is waxy, scentless, and colorless, it’ll get the job done.
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Take your candle and rub it all over the faucet until a visible layer begins to form. Don’t worry about the finish; the wax is soft and won’t cause scuffing. Next, take a clean, dry microfiber cloth and use it to buff the wax into the faucet — this will leave it looking bright and shiny. But more importantly, that protective barrier will keep your faucet pristine and stain-free for days, if not weeks.
This trick isn’t a permanent fix, but it’s a whole lot better than worrying about water stains forming every time you turn on the tap. For the best results, plan to reapply the wax every five to seven days — a small price to pay when you consider how much time you used to spend scrubbing away those stubborn mineral deposits.
