We have hard water, but don't want to install a softener. We manage
to clean the bath/sink/toilet ok, but the bath fixtures and faucets
get coated and (almost) pock-marked after a while without serious
scrubbing that can damage the finish.

Any advice on whether certain finishes (i.e. stainless steel vs.
chrome) are better to minimize such scaling and the damage to fixture
from cleaning that may occur?

Thanks.
-Theodore

wrote:
We have hard water, but don't want to install a softener. We manage
to clean the bath/sink/toilet ok, but the bath fixtures and faucets
get coated and (almost) pock-marked after a while without serious
scrubbing that can damage the finish.

Any advice on whether certain finishes (i.e. stainless steel vs.
chrome) are better to minimize such scaling and the damage to fixture
from cleaning that may occur?

Our water is also very hard and stuff will "lime up" very quickly if you
let it. The best way to minimize the problem is to dry things
thoroughly rather than let water stand and use some vinegar when
cleaning and keep at it more frequently.

I prefer the bright chrome finishes for cleaning over anything brushed.
I put an oiled bronze faucet on the new sink about two years ago now
and it is still in good shape owing to wiping it down daily rather than
letting it go...

Don't know what in your water would cause the pitting -- hardness alone
shouldn't cause that.
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