Stone care & repair
Hard water & limescale: how to fix them on every surface
Limescale and soap scum build up around taps, sinks and shower ledges. On porcelain they dissolve with an ordinary descaler. On marble, travertine, limestone and concrete, that same descaler will etch the surface, so the method has to be mechanical instead of chemical.
Before you try anything: always speak to a professional before cleaning, treating or applying any product to your stone. Every slab is different, and the wrong product can cause permanent damage. Contact us or a qualified stone restorer first.
Choose your surface
Every surface compared
| Surface | What is different on this surface | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marble | Limescale around marble vanity taps is a trap: the descalers that remove it are acidic and will etch the marble underneath. | Moderate | Read fix |
| Travertine | Limescale on travertine collects in the texture and fills around taps. A soft brush with pH-neutral cleaner helps loosen it before scraping. | Moderate | Read fix |
| Limestone | Limestone and limescale are chemical relatives, which is exactly why no acid descaler can remove one without damaging the other. | Moderate | Read fix |
| Onyx | Onyx vanities and bars are very sensitive to descalers. Keep scale away by drying after use, and leave build-up to an onyx specialist. | Moderate | Read fix |
| Dolomite | Dolomite tolerates acid slightly better than marble, but not enough to make descalers safe. Use the same mechanical method. | Moderate | Read fix |
| Granite | Dark polished granite shows hard-water spots clearly. Drying after use prevents almost all of them. | Easy to moderate | Read fix |
| Quartzite | If your quartzite turns out to be dolomite, a descaler will etch it. Test on a hidden spot before using anything acidic. | Easy to moderate | Read fix |
| Quartz | Hard water leaves white rings on dark quartz near the sink. Most come off with warm soapy water and a plastic scraper. | Easy | Read fix |
| Porcelain | Porcelain is one surface where an ordinary bathroom descaler or diluted white vinegar is perfectly safe. | Easy | Read fix |
| Terrazzo | Terrazzo with a cement binder reacts to descalers just as concrete does, so stick to the mechanical method. | Moderate | Read fix |
| Concrete | Limescale on concrete often sits on the sealer. Scraping gently protects both the sealer and the concrete. | Moderate | Read fix |
| Soapstone | Soapstone is one of the few stones where vinegar is completely safe for descaling. | Easy | Read fix |
Rules that apply to every surface
- Act fast. The sooner you blot or wipe, the less there is to fix.
- Test first. Try any method on a hidden spot and check once it is dry.
- No acids on calcite. Vinegar, lemon and most descalers etch marble, travertine, limestone and onyx.
- Protect after repair. A clear film stops the same mark happening again.
Frequently asked questions
Porous and acid-sensitive stones such as marble, travertine, limestone, onyx need the most care. Non-porous surfaces like porcelain and quartz are usually the easiest.
Always. Try any chemical or poultice on a hidden spot, such as inside a sink cut-out or under an overhang, and check the finish once dry.
A clear protection film over the surface keeps spills and acids off the stone. Stone Film Sydney installs it across Sydney with a 10-year warranty.
Stop fixing. Start protecting.
Clear anti-etch, anti-stain film for every stone in Sydney. Free, no-obligation quote, on site or over the phone.