How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Taps & Shower Heads

Short answer

Wipe taps and showers with a soft cloth soaked in water or a mild soap solution every day or two, then dry them. For white scale that has already built up, use Jaquar's Glitz scale cleaner on chrome with a soft cloth or an old soft toothbrush, and on any other finish ask us which cleaner Jaquar approves for it. Never use acid-based tile or toilet cleaner, salt, vinegar, scouring powder or a scrub pad on any finish. Jaquar's maintenance guidelines rule out acids, salt and vinegar, and its warranty excludes damage from abrasive cleaning. Blocked aerators and shower nozzles clear with a rinse, a soft brush and a toothpick, or a rub of the thumb on rubber nozzles.

In detail

Why the white marks come back

Hard water carries dissolved calcium and magnesium. Every droplet left on a tap dries and leaves its minerals behind, so scale builds fastest on edges, corners and the aerator, where water sits longest. Jaquar says the hardness of water used with its fittings should not exceed 300–400 ppm. Above that, scale returns quickly however carefully you clean, and a softener or filter on the incoming line is worth discussing with your plumber.

The rules that apply to every finish

Jaquar's maintenance guidelines are strict. Clean with a soft towel soaked in water or a mild bathing-soap solution, and rinse, once every day or two. Use no cleaner containing acids or chemicals, such as flush or tile cleaner. Use no salt or vinegar-based cleaner on scale, which Jaquar says may damage the finish. Never rub coloured finishes with emery paper or cleaning powder.

Home remedies online, including some posts on Jaquar's own blog, suggest diluted vinegar. We follow the warranty guidelines, because a finish complaint is judged against them.

Cleaning by finish

Jaquar's FAQ names Glitz as its water-scale cleaner for chrome, sold at authorized Jaquar dealers, and says to read the bottle's directions first. Rinse off with clean water, dry, and test any new cleaner on a hidden spot.

Chrome is the most forgiving. Black matt shows white spots most, so wipe it dry after every use, and never scrub, polish or wax it: abrasives leave shiny patches, and wax is a warranty exclusion. PVD gold is hard, but one pass with an abrasive leaves a permanent dull patch. Jaquar's stainless steel finish is a PVD colour, not bare steel, so treat it like gold and wipe along the grain. More in our Jaquar finishes guide.

Unclogging an aerator

The aerator is the mesh insert at the spout tip, and Jaquar's guidelines say to clean it from time to time.

1. Close the tap and put the plug in the basin so no part goes down the drain.
2. Unscrew the aerator by hand. If it won't turn, wrap a soft cloth round it before using a tool, so the jaws don't mark the finish.
3. Note the order of the mesh, insert and rubber washer as they come out.
4. Rinse each part, brush it with a soft toothbrush and clear the holes with a toothpick. Warm soapy water softens stubborn grit.
5. Refit with the washer seated flat and tighten by hand.

If the mesh is torn or still crusted solid, replace the aerator. It is a small spare, ordered by the tap's model code. Our guide to reading a Jaquar model code shows how to find it.

Unclogging shower nozzles

• Rubber or silicone nozzles. On Jaquar's Rubit nozzles, Jaquar says a simple rub is enough. Run the shower and rub the face with your thumb; the scale flakes off.
• Hard nozzles. Brush the face with a soft toothbrush and clear each hole with a toothpick, not a pin, which can widen the hole.
• Hand showers. Unscrew the hose from the handset and check the washer and any mesh at the joint for grit.
• Overhead showers. Close the mixer first, and unscrew the head only if it turns easily by hand. If it is stuck or ceiling-mounted, call a plumber.

Still weak after cleaning? Then it is probably the supply, not the nozzles: see low water pressure showers.

What damages finishes

• Acid tile and toilet cleaners, and their fumes. Jaquar explains that acid fumes react with the brass under the finish and leave a green layer. Run the exhaust fan when you clean tiles, and rinse the fittings afterwards.
• Scouring powder, steel wool, scrub pads, emery paper and coarse cloths.
• Bleach, ammonia, alcohol, solvents, wax, hair dye, bath oil and bath salts. All of these are on Jaquar's list of warranty exclusions.
• Leaving any cleaner to sit on the surface.
• Salty sea air, which Jaquar says can leave dark spots. Clean fittings near the sea more often.

None of this counts as a manufacturing defect: see Jaquar warranty and service.

A routine that prevents build-up

The filter matters beyond looks: Jaquar's warranty says faucets should be used with inline water filters, and cartridge damage without one is not covered. To choose fittings that cope with hard water, see best Jaquar faucets for hard water.

When to call a plumber or Jaquar service

Call a plumber if an aerator or shower head won't come off by hand, or if the flow stays weak after cleaning. Call Jaquar service if a tap drips or its lever goes stiff, because the cartridge inside needs attention and no surface cleaner will reach it. Do the same for peeling, pitting or a green layer on the finish. The numbers and what to keep ready are in our Jaquar customer care guide.

Ask us

Padmavati Ceramics is an authorized Jaquar dealer in Borivali West, Mumbai, and every fitting we sell comes with a GST invoice. Not sure which finish you have or which cleaner suits it? WhatsApp a photo to +91 79770 04273 for advice or today's price.