5 Things to Know About Removing Calcium Scale

Vinegar works on glazed tile A 50/50 white vinegar and water spray removes light calcium scale. Let it sit five minutes, scrub with a soft brush, then rinse.

Pumice stones handle stubborn buildup Wet the stone first, then gently grind scale off glazed tile or porcelain. It won’t scratch those surfaces if used carefully.

Never use vinegar or pumice on unglazed surfaces Natural stone and plaster get wrecked by acid and abrasives. Skip both on these materials.

For plaster, use a non-acid calcium remover Sulfamic acid-based products work without damaging plaster. A stiff nylon brush and elbow grease also help.

Avoid bleach and steel wool Bleach only whitens scale without dissolving it. Steel wool scratches surfaces and leaves rust marks.