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You'll need a simple secret weapon to remove most hard water stains: vinegar.Like it or not, most households have hard water. According to the U.S. Geological Survey about 85% of the U.S. has hard water; when you turn on your faucet, it’s likely hard water coming out. The good news? Hard water is not harmful, and with the right cleaning techniques, you can remove the stains it leaves behind. Here’s the best way to remove hard water stains from every bathroom surface! What Causes Hard Water Stains?That cloudy shower door, yellow stains in the toilet and white buildup on the shower head are all caused by one thing: hard water. In scientific terms, your water is considered “hard water” if it is high in dissolved minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium. When hard water dries on a surface, it leaves behind mineral deposits. That’s what causes the tough-to-remove stains. How to Remove Hard Water StainsToiletThat pesky ring marking the water line is caused by hard water—and it’s extremely hard to remove. It won’t come off with regular toilet brush scrubbing. Instead, you’ll need a secret weapon: a Pumie Scouring Stick. This abrasive pumice stone stick scrubs away the hard water ring, without scratching the ceramic bowl. Once you use it, you’ll never go back! First, wet the stick, then rub the edge of the stick on the hard water line with back and forth strokes. As you scrub, the stick creates a paste buildup that helps to clean and polish. Once the ring is gone, flush to rinse away paste and residue. BathtubAnother secret weapon against hard water stains is vinegar. The acidity in white vinegar eats away at the mineral deposits; the trick is to let the vinegar sit on the hard water long enough to work its magic. Grab a spray bottle and mix equal parts water and vinegar (you can also add a teaspoon of Dawn dish soap for more clinging power). Spray the solution on the bathtub stains, let sit for at least 15 minutes, then wipe clean. Let the solution sit longer depending on the severity of the stains. Looking for more bathtub cleaning tips? Check out our guide. SinkSprinkle baking soda or Borax directly on the hard water stain in your sink, then spray on the same vinegar and water solution you used on the bathtub. Let the cleaners sit for 15 minutes, then scrub with a soft brush or sponge. (Remember to wear gloves when cleaning with Borax.) If the hard water stains are also on the sink faucet, soak a paper towel in a vinegar and water mixture, squeezing out the excess. Then lay the wet paper towel on the faucet and let it sit for 15 minutes. Remove paper towel and scrub clean. How to Prevent Hard Water Stains
Top-Rated Hard Water Stain Removers
Popular Videosⓘ Those hard water stains are really cramping your bathroom’s style. It’s time to do something about that. We all have them. No, not stretch marks (although, yes, of course we do); in this case, we’re talking about hard water stains. Yep. Most people have to deal with hard water, and the unfortunate reality is that it leaves behind unsightly white, cloudy marks all over your tub, faucets, counters ... you name it. Luckily, there are some tried-and-true methods for combatting hard water stains, and we’re here to walk you through them. Read on for our step-by-step advice on removing hard water spots, no matter where you find them! What causes hard water spots?So what even causes hard water stains? Essentially, hard water stains are caused by minerals in your water. When water gets on a surface and then evaporates, it leaves these minerals behind. Over time, they build up and create what we know as hard water stains (or spots). Okay, good to know. But more importantly, how do you get rid of them? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered there, too, with step-by-step instructions for removing hard water stains from any kind of surface: from your tub to your toilet to your counters (and everything in between). How to remove hard water stains from showers + bathtubsWe’re betting that there’s a pretty good chance that some of your biggest areas of concern when it comes to hard water stains are your shower and bathtub. It makes perfect sense. After all, your shower and bathtub see a lot of water. And if your water is leaving behind hard water stains (like most water does), then your shower and tub probably have a lot of hard water stains, too. So how do you tackle hard water spots in these areas? Easy: with the following steps!
How? Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and water, and spray the solution all over your shower and tub. Pay particular attention to the worst of your hard water stains. Let the solution sit for 10–15 minutes so it has a chance to really work on them. Then, using a rag, wipe away the solution. Ta-da! A stain-free tub and shower, courtesy of your new best friend, vinegar.
Translation: mixing vinegar and baking soda into a paste is a really great way to tackle particularly tough and stubborn hard water stains. If you find that vinegar alone isn’t quite getting all the hard water spots out, make a vinegar and baking soda paste and scrub. Those stains never stood a chance.
Done? Take a step back and admire your handiwork. You deserve it. How to remove hard water stains on showerheads + faucetsWhat about hard water stains on your showerheads and faucets? You have a couple options, many of which you’ll recognize from your fight against hard water stains in your shower and bathtub.
That’s it! Check out how those faucets glisten. How to get rid of hard water stains in toiletsYes, your toilet can get hard water stains (and no, you’re not obsessive for wanting them gone). The main thing to remember when tackling hard water stains in your toilet is that you need to use something that won’t damage ceramic. To that end, we suggest the following.
Didn’t know your toilet could sparkle that much, did you? How to remove hard water stains on granite + marbleGranite and marble. They’re gorgeous, what can we say? But when they’re covered in hard water stains? Not so much. When you tackle hard water stains on granite or marble, you want to avoid many of the above solutions, which can actually damage stone surfaces (yikes). Instead, opt for a cleaner specifically formulated for natural stone. Doing so will get rid of those hard water spots without creating an even bigger problem. How to prevent hard water stainsNow that you’ve tackled all your existing hard water stains, we’re guessing you’d like to keep your surfaces hard-water-stain-free! While we can’t promise you’ll never have to deal with hard water stains again, we do have a few tips to give you to help prevent them and minimize the frequency and effort required to keep them at bay.
Now go take a celebratory soak in your hard-water-stain-free tub. (And maybe even light a scented candle.) You’ve earned it. What do professionals use to clean hard water stains?Distilled White Vinegar and Lemon Juice
Mix equal parts lemon juice and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar and lemon juice stain remover on the stain. Let the cleaning solution work on the stain for about five minutes. Use a microfiber cloth to rub the stained area until the stain is gone.
Does CLR remove hard water stains?Does CLR get rid of hard water stains? Yes, for stubborn hard water stains on shower walls and tiles, bathtubs, sinks or faucets that need more scrubbing power, you may have to use something stronger than vinegar, like CLR Brilliant Bath Cleaner, a top-tested product that won a 2020 Good Housekeeping Cleaning Award.
What dissolves hard water residue?Vinegar is one of the most effective and versatile house cleaning products available, and it's perfect for removing hard water stains. So long as you also have rubber gloves, a spray bottle, a cloth, and a spare toothbrush, you'll have no trouble getting rid of the hard water stains in your home.
What removes hard water stains from glass shower doors?The best way to remove hard water stains from your shower doors is to do so using regular household items such as white vinegar and baking soda.
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