Limescale and stone worktops in a hard-water area

Why the water is hard here

Rain that soaks through chalk and limestone picks up calcium and magnesium. Thames Water’s supply comes from rivers and aquifers that have filtered through that rock, and classes water between 200 and 300 mg/l as hard and above 300 mg/l as very hard. When the water dries on a surface, the minerals stay behind as limescale.

Quartz

Quartz copes well. Scale cannot get into the surface and comes away easily if you deal with it promptly. Avoid scouring pads and strong chemical descalers, which can dull the polish. A damp microfibre cloth and a dry one afterwards usually do the job.

Granite

Granite is unharmed by limescale, but polished dark granite shows dried water spots clearly. Give the tap and drainer area a quick dry after use. If scale builds up, use a stone-safe cleaner rather than a general bathroom descaler, which can strip the sealer.

Porcelain

Porcelain is the least bothered. It is non-porous and resistant to most cleaning products, so limescale wipes away. Matt and textured finishes can hold onto scale a little more than gloss ones.

Marble

Marble needs the most care, not because of the scale but because of the cure. Limescale removers are acidic, and acid etches marble, leaving dull patches. Stick to pH-neutral stone cleaners and keep the sink surround dry so scale never gets going.

Habits that help with any stone

• Dry the stone round the tap once the washing-up is done.
• Use a pH-neutral cleaner made for stone.
• Keep vinegar, lemon and bathroom descalers away from natural stone.
• Consider a water softener or filter tap if scale bothers you everywhere in the house.