What is The best Faucet Finish for Hard Water

There are a few things to consider when choosing the best finish for your kitchen or bathroom faucet. In homes with hard water, mineral deposits are the culprit of the entire household faucet. A small amount of sediment can spoil the faucet’s beautiful appearance. So, is there a specific faucet finish that hides hard water spots? This article will guide you through the best faucet finishes for hard water for your reference.

What types of finishes are there?

There are many options for faucet finishes, and while the list of finishes varies from brand to brand, here are some standard faucet finishes:

• Matte black
• Chrome alloy
• Champagne bronze
• Stainless steel
• Oil rubbed bronze
• Brushed nickel
• White
• Copper

In general, polished finishes do not hide water stains well. Matte finishes tend to hide imperfections better because they don’t have a high-gloss finish.

What is hard water?

You may have heard of “soft water” and “hard water,” but what does it mean? The vast majority of American homes have hard water. Hard water means that the water has higher levels of calcium and magnesium. Higher levels of minerals can harden water.

You won’t notice a difference in the clarity of the water – it’s usually still clear. However, key indicators of hard water include:

• Film on your hands after washing: You may notice a film on your hands after washing. This is due to the reaction between soap and calcium to form soap scum. If you have hard water in your home, you will have to wash your hands for a long time.
• Mineral traces: Hard water can cause mineral stains on clothing. Also, due to the harshness of hard water, you may notice that your clothes wear out faster.
• Mineral Spots: Spots can appear on faucets, especially near the bottom of the faucet and on the handles, or other areas that come into frequent contact with water. These spots are usually deposits of calcium carbonate.
• Lower water pressure: Hard water can cause mineral deposits in your home’s plumbing. This basically shrinks the diameter of the pipe, reducing the flow of water.

Which is the best faucet finish for hard water?

There are several different faucet finishes that do a good job of hiding the hard water effect. Often, a polished or high-gloss finish will make hard watermarks stand out clearly. So if you have hard water problems in your home, a softer finish is usually your best bet. Or, if you have hard water in your home and have a penchant for a beautiful, shiny polished finish, you might consider using a water softener.

Matte Silver

The matte silver faucet finish tends to hide the appearance of water stains well. A matte finish might be called brushed or satin, but they all have a similar flat look. Unlike reflective, glossy surfaces with polished finishes, matte faucets have a softer look.

This is great for hiding water spots and other hard water-related problems. Limescale will still show, but these finishes tend to do a better job of hiding it.

Brushed Nickel

Brushed nickel is a popular faucet finish named after the process by which the look is achieved. Manufacturers use wire brushes or similar tools to create wear on the nickel. This process strips away its shine, leaving a textured look.

Brushed nickel faucets and fixtures may look completely different due to the finishing process. Brushed nickel consists of plating on a different metal (usually zinc or brass). In some cases, the scratches may be deep enough to show the golden hue of the metal underneath.

Satin Nickel

The appearance of satin nickel is similar to brushed nickel, but the process of achieving the appearance is completely different. Instead of using wire brushes, manufacturers send nickel through a process called electrolysis.

In most cases, satin nickel fixtures are less expensive than brushed nickel. Satin Nickel is not as shiny as other metal options, but still provides a vibrant, clean look.

Matte Gold

Gold finish brings a warm, homey feel to a kitchen or bathroom. They perfectly complement warm, colorful themes, yet still coordinate with different decorating ideas. Gold is a great choice whether you want an eye-catching statement piece or a faucet that blends seamlessly with its surroundings.

Satin gold

A satin gold faucet finish, usually brass or bronze, goes well with hard water. They hide standing water better than polished gold. Plus, they add a warm and colorful vibe to the space.

What Finishes Are Easiest To Clean?

If cleaning is a point of concern, you may want to consider matte finishes for the faucets in your home. Polished finishes are tougher to clean, as streaks are blatantly obvious and tricky to get rid of. Matte finishes are an excellent option, as they’re easy to clean. They hide streaks and water spots well, which is excellent for homes with hard water.

How to Clean Hard Water Stains From Faucets

Often, cleaning hard water build-up is relatively simple. A mixture of water, vinegar, dish soap, and lemon juice should do the trick. Mix water and vinegar in a one-to-one ratio in a spray bottle, then add a drop of dish soap and a squeeze of lemon juice. Lemon juice helps offset minerals.

Spray the solution on the faucet and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Scrub the faucet with a non-abrasive rag or sponge. Wipe off residue with a soft, clean cloth.