Are Mineral Deposits on Faucets Safe?

Though mineral deposits are not a risk to your health, they are unsightly and can make your water taste bad. Mineral deposits are made up of calcium, ferrous iron, selenium, magnesium, potassium and zinc, as well as trace amounts of lead and mercury.

Hard Water

• Fluoride is added to tap water to keep your teeth healthy.

  The deposits accumulate due to "hard water," which refers to the minerals in the water. Although soft water is preferable for bathing, drinking hard water is healthful. Our organs and bones require minerals, and added fluoride helps prevent tooth decay.

Preventing Mineral Buildup

• Granite sinks are particularly vulnerable to mineral buildup, because the stone is porous.

  Surface protectors prevent mineral deposits on surfaces contacted by water. GranQuartz makes a spray-on surfactant for granite, which is particularly vulnerable to lime-scale buildup. Cleaning your faucets regularly with soap and the rough side of a dishwashing sponge can help prevent mineral deposits.

Cleaning Mineral Deposits

• Steel wool is great for removing mineral deposits.

  Cleaning long-standing mineral deposits is best accomplished by scraping them with a razor blade. Clean any remaining lime scale with steel wool.

Minerals and Health

• Tap water is fortified with essential nutrients.

  We need calcium for our bones, iron for our blood, potassium for our muscles and zinc for our immune system. These minerals are all included in tap water but will leave residue on your faucets. So think twice before filtering your tap water.