Use A Common Kitchen Staple To Easily Remove Water Stains

If water stains on your faucet, sink, shower head, or other stainless steel fixtures are becoming a source of major stress, there's an easy and surprisingly effective solution hiding in your kitchen drawer. Wax paper and parchment paper — staples you usually reach for while baking — can also work wonders on stubborn stains that dull shine. This simple trick is inexpensive, chemical-free, and requires minimal effort, making it a game-changer for tackling mineral buildup. Here's everything you need to know to restore your stainless steel's sparkle in no time.

This clever cleaning hack has been making the rounds on TikTok, where users swear by a simple trick: just crumple up some parchment or wax paper, rub it over the water marks, and watch your stainless steel regain its original shine.

Water stains on stainless steel faucets and appliances are caused by a buildup of minerals. These stains often appear white and chalky, especially in places with hard water, which contains higher levels of calcium and magnesium. Over time, these minerals leave behind a residue known as limescale. While there are commercial limescale removers available, this hack offers an easy, natural, and budget-friendly alternative that skips the harsh chemicals — and the store, since you probably already have it at your house.

This hack couldn't be easier — or more satisfying! Start by grabbing a sheet of wax or parchment paper from your kitchen stash. Rip off a piece (no need to be precise) and scrunch it up into a crinkly little ball. Then, get to work by gently rubbing it against the stainless steel fixture, like TikTok user @sidneyraz did. As you go, you'll start to see those stubborn water marks magically lift away, leaving your faucet gleaming like new. It's so simple, you might even find yourself looking for more spots to clean! Give it a try on your kitchen faucet, bathroom fixtures, or even your stainless steel appliances.

This trick works like a charm with both wax paper and baking paper — another name for parchment paper. Wax paper gets its magic from its paraffin coating, which naturally repels water. (Fun fact: some hacks even suggest using paraffin wax straight from a candle to tackle water marks.) Parchment paper, on the other hand, has a silicone coating that gives it its nonstick, water-resistant properties. In both cases, it's the wax or silicone coating that the paper leaves behind that not only removes those pesky water marks, but also helps repel future ones.

Parchment and wax papers are surprisingly versatile and great to keep on hand. Beyond tackling water stains, there are plenty of other clever hacks they can help with, like building a DIY lampshade or keeping your microwave splatter-free. So, whether you're cleaning, baking, or crafting, parchment and wax papers are handy helpers worth keeping around.