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I tried a TikTok cleaning hack that just uses parchment paper to clean hard water stains and it actually works

Pauline Villegas   

I tried a TikTok cleaning hack that just uses parchment paper to clean hard water stains — and it actually works
This TikTok cleaning hack suggests using parchment paper to clean hard water stains on faucets.Pauline Villegas/Insider
  • A cleaning hack on TikTok claims that parchment paper can be used to clean appliances.
  • The parchment paper is supposed to clean hard water stains without any other cleaning products.

Since spring-cleaning season is upon us, I decided to scour TikTok for cost-effective cleaning hacks.

Since spring-cleaning season is upon us, I decided to scour TikTok for cost-effective cleaning hacks.
I was shocked to find out how many uses parchment paper had in the home.      Pauline Villegas/Insider

For me, spring is a time to reset and do a deep clean of my environment. On TikTok, there are many trends dedicated to easy, cost-efficient cleaning hacks that can be done with basic household items. The hashtag #CleanTok has more than 72 billion views as of Saturday.

Parchment paper is one particular household item that has a lot more uses than I thought — including cleaning stainless-steel faucets throughout the home.

TikTok user Sidney Raz shared a cleaning hack that uses parchment paper to clean hard water stains on faucets.

My parchment paper, which cost $3.29 from Target, had gone unused for months.

My parchment paper, which cost $3.29 from Target, had gone unused for months.
Parchment paper is a household item that can serve many different purposes.      Pauline Villegas/Insider

Outside of baking, I never had much use for parchment paper. While scouring TikTok for cleaning hacks, I found that the household staple has many uses outside the kitchen, including cleaning glass shower doors, stainless steel refrigerators, and microwaves.

I didn't realize how stained my faucet was until I took a closer look.

I didn
Hard water stains can appear as chalky bubbles on faucets throughout the home.      Pauline Villegas/Insider

Hard water stains are caused by mineral buildup on stainless-steel faucets and other appliances, according to Culligan Water. Most cleaning tips suggest using a hard water stain remover, which can cost upwards of $19.99 per bottle on Amazon, to remove the stains.

As I took a closer look at my sink, I had more doubt that the parchment paper hack would be able to get the job done.

First, I crumpled up a bit of parchment paper, and then I started scrubbing.

First, I crumpled up a bit of parchment paper, and then I started scrubbing.
The cleaning hack was a low-effort, cost-efficient way to clean faucets.      Pauline Villegas/Insider

The hack immediately started working right before my eyes. Without applying much pressure, the parchment paper was erasing the hard water stains that had been there for months.

The harder I scrubbed, the shiner my bathroom sink faucet became. As someone who had tried other multipurpose cleaners on the sink before, I was shocked to see how clean my sink got without any streaks left behind.

Within seconds, my faucet was sparkling clean.

The final result left my bathroom sink sparkling, and I was amazed at how well it worked.

The final result left my bathroom sink sparkling, and I was amazed at how well it worked.
My bathroom sink's faucet was sparkling after the parchment paper TikTok hack.      Pauline Villegas/Insider

After wiping my bathroom sink with parchment paper, it was so clear that I could see my reflection. All the water stains had been removed with ease thanks to the TikTok hack.

Moving forward, I will definitely be reaching for the parchment paper over a bottle of cleaning product when I want my faucet to shine.

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