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.

Related: Why You Should Rub Wax Paper on Your Closet Rod

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement