How to Remove Green Buildup on Faucet?

Have you been noticing the bluish gunk on faucets? It could be the issue of limescale formation. This limescale can be due to the issue with the hardness of the water. Have you ever wondered how to remove green build-up on the faucet? Let us understand what causes the green build-up on the faucet and how to remove it. 

What Causes Green Build-up on Faucets?

The blue-green gunk on the faucet is actually limescale deposits. This is generally a result of the tap water that may get a little hard with the dissolved minerals. The limescale is white in colour and can turn green from the copper pipes and fixes. 

The mineral build up is the primary cause for the green gunk on your faucet. It can generally be a combination of magnesium, copper, and calcium and this can turn the deposits slightly green in colour. These mineral deposits are called limescale which is chalky in nature and can take a greenish tinge if the water contains copper. The green colour is due to the oxidation of copper. 

How to Remove Green Buildup From a Faucet?

Tracking and removing the gunk from the faucets can be quite easy if you follow the proper steps. There are a few specific techniques that you can follow. 

Method 1: Vinegar

Vinegar is one of the excellent means of eliminating mineral build up. You should generally find vinegar in most households. The beauty of vinegar lies in the fact that it is used for cooking, cleaning, and baking. 

To clean the green gunk, you will need the following items:

If you find deposits around the spout of the faucet, you can soak the part in white vinegar with the help of a plastic bag. The bag can be secured with a rubber band and left for 3 to four hours. You can even consider leaving it overnight. 

In case the deposits are close to the base of the faucet or handles, you will not be able to use the plastic bag. Instead, it would be ideal for applying the vinegar to the affected area and let it soak for a few hours. Apply the vinegar as soon as it evaporates for better effects. 

After around 3 to 4 hours or overnight soaking, you can use a toothbrush to scrub off the deposits. 

Method 2: Limes 

Lime or lemon is one of the excellent means for handling the minerals and the deposits caused by them. They can be the best options to remove the green built-up on faucets. 

To clean the green build-up using limes,  you will need the following accessories:

Slice a lemon in half and squeeze the juice on the faucet. You can also use the juice directly if you have the lemon juice already available. Leave it for a while and scrub the area with an old toothbrush. This will help you remove the stubborn residue. 

Method 3: Baking soda 

If you do not have lemons or lime soda, you can make use of baking soda. This can be one of the excellent picks for proper cleaning if you have no lemons or vinegar at hand. Since baking soda is readily available in most of kitchens, this method is a great option. 

You will need the following items:

Mix three parts of baking soda in one part water in a small bowl to make a thick paste. Apply the paste on the areas of the faucet that has gunk or green built up. Let the paste sit for about an hour, and then rinse it off with clean water. 

If the residue is caked on, you will need to scrub it off gently with a toothbrush. Rinse the faucet once done and wipe it dry with a soft cloth. 

Method 4: Commercial cleaner 

If you are not comfortable with the home remedies, it may be a good pick to check the commercial cleaners. There are multiple bands of commercial cleaners that can dissolve the build-up without an issue. 

A few brands of commercial cleaners may end up damaging the finish of your faucet. It would be advisable to follow the suggestions from the manufacturer of the commercial cleaner. 

Method 6: Bleach

Bleach is yet another perfect solution to help you in removing the green build-up on the faucet. However, it may not be as effective as the other methods that we have outlined in the above discussion.

Stop the drain and fill the sink with water. Add around a capful of bleach per gallon to the water. Let it sit for around five minutes. In the meanwhile, you can dip a sponge in the bleach water and wipe the faucet with it. It will also remove the rust from the sink bowl. 

 Green Water Coming Out Of The Faucet – How to Fix It? 

The green water coming out of the faucet can have several reasons associated with it. One of the primary causes of the green colour of the water coming out of the sink can be due to the concentration of copper in the water. If you have a new pipework of copper done recently, it can result in the green water coming out of the faucet. 

You would find the green, and blue colorization indicates higher than normal levels of copper. In addition to the new pipes that can cause the issue, even the old copper pipes may break down and cause the green tinge in your water supply. 

Yet another cause of the green water coming out of the faucet can be due to the overgrowth of algae. The copper pipes can have greenish coloration. This causes the accumulation of algae inside the faucets and pipelines. 

The only way that the green water coming out of the faucet can be addressed is to get a proper plumbing. There are a few areas that only a professional service provider can address, and we advise you to get in touch with the right service quality for your individual needs. 

How Do You Remove Oxidation From Faucets?

Oxidation of the faucet will generally mean the formation of rust on your faucets. When the iron based metals are exposed to air, they would turn into a red or orange color. This is a chemical reaction that causes severe issues with the fixtures and damages the plumbing. Cleaning the faucet frequently and keeping it as dry as possible would be an ideal option to opt for to get rid of the oxidation from the faucet.

One of the powerful chemicals that can work well in removing the oxidation in faucets is the white vinegar. White vinegar is the best material to help you dissolve the rust. You can spray the vinegar on the faucet and let it sit for around 10 minutes. Then scrub off the part. 

You can use a paste made from baking soda and water. It may not work as faster as the white vinegar, but it can be quite effective if you allow it to sit for a while. 

A few of the other options to remove or prevent oxidation from faucets include:

Here Are a Few Best Solutions to Treat Faucet Corrosion

One of the best solutions to treat faucet corrosion is to soak the affected area in undiluted white vinegar. You can soak the vinegar in a clean cloth and apply it on the corroded part. You can also pour vinegar on the affected part. Rinse the area after a while. 

The first step in treating the bathroom faucet corrosion should be to clean them properly. You can begin with a simple dish soap and water to remove the dirt. Next, use white vinegar to cut and remove the stubborn grime and rust particles. 

It would be advisable to use gentle acids to fight the faucet corrosion. Soak in your faucet in the gentler acids for around five to ten minutes to let corroded patches to loosen. Once the patches are removed, clean it up with the sponge. You can repeat the procedure until all the corrosion has been removed. If you do not have vinegar, you can use any cola drink or lemon juice. Remember rinsing the faucets after applying all those cleaning methods. 

A Few FAQs

Parting Thoughts

The green build-up on the faucets can be a result of several reasons and factors. The primary reason, however, is the minerals in your water that would turn the water hard. If you have come across the green build-up affecting your faucet, you can apply any of the methods and options that we have outlined in this compilation.