How do you get rid of hard water stains

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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 Stains

Toilet

That 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.

Bathtub

Another 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.

Sink

Sprinkle 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

• Do not leave hard water to dry on its own. Use a dry cloth to wipe away any water from the sink, bathtub, faucets, shower, and countertop.
• Clean frequently. The more you ignore hard water buildup; the tougher it is to remove. It can even permanently damage bathroom surfaces if not removed.
• Install a water softener. This is not a cheap option but many homeowners find the long-term solution worth the expense.

Top-Rated Hard Water Stain Removers

• Pumie Scouring Stick: Effectively scrubs away hard water stains from your toilet and porcelain sink (don’t use on fiberglass surfaces like the bathtub).
• White vinegar: Simple and affordable, nothing fights hard water better than plain ol’ vinegar!
• Bring It On Cleaner Hard Water Stain Remover: This powerful cleaner has over 3,000 positive reviews! It contains oxygen bleach to help dissolve calcium buildup.

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Limescale and hard water stains are a nuisance when it comes to cleaning. Whether in the shower or on the sink, these stains can be nasty eyesores. Therefore, we are going to look at  some DIY methods to clean these stains effectively. But before we do, where do they come from? In addition, what even is hard water?

What is Hard Water?

To put it simply, hard water is water that contains a high number of minerals. These minerals become present in the water as it percolates through deposits of limestone, chalk, or gypsum. It is the opposite of soft water, which has minimal or no minerals, like rainwater.

How Do Hard Water Stains Form?

As hard water finds its way into your house through pipes, it leaves behind deposits of magnesium and calcium in the form of hard water stains as the water evaporates. These stains become more prominent  in heating elements like kettles and boilers since they experience faster evaporation rates. Apart from these areas, the limescale can also accumulate on your toilet bowl, bathroom glass doors, porcelain, and metal surfaces.

Over time, the limescale becomes more pronounced and harder to remove. The stains have the potential to become permanent if left unchecked. It is therefore important that you nip these hard water stains in the bud.

We have put together 5 DIY cleaning hacks you could use to clean hard water stains and other issues.

1. Baking Soda and Vinegar Combination

For this method, you will need baking soda, vinegar, and a zip-lock bag. With a ratio of one portion of baking soda to two portions of vinegar, mix these two in the zip-lock bag and tie it up well with a rubber band. Ensure it is airtight and let it soak overnight.

In the morning, you will wake up to a very effective stain remover. You can use a towel to apply this cleaning agent to the stains in your sink. The cleaning hack works by removing the mineral deposits of magnesium and calcium, so you need to let it sit for a while. You should let it sit for at least thirty minutes.

You can then scrub the stains with a brush and wash them off with clean water. Use a clean towel to wipe off and give your sink a sparkle.

2. Vinegar-soaked Paper Towels For Faucets

The collection of limescale on your faucet can leave ugly white spots on it. This is very irritating as you use the sink frequently and seeing the stains can become annoying. However, this simple cleaning hack seeks to change that.

To use this method, you need some paper towels and vinegar. Soak the paper towels in vinegar and wrap them around the faucet. Be sure to cover the entire surface of the faucet for the best results. Leave these paper towels for an hour and then remove and clean the faucet with dry paper towels and voila! Your faucet is as clean as new.

This DIY solution helps to eliminate the accumulation of hard water mineral deposits on the faucet. It is important to do this regularly, especially if you use hard water solutions, like a well. Such water has a high content of minerals and this cleaning hack can help you remove stains on your faucet.

3. Use CLR for Limescale

Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover, or simply CLR, is a common cleaning agent for hard water stains and rust. Its heavy-duty nature is quite effective at removing hard water stains, including limescale.

Limescale is a hard and chalky deposit that usually forms inside pipes and boilers, especially where hot water is involved. These deposits form after the hard water solution evaporates and leaves behind solid calcium carbonate. Such deposits can restrict the flow of water in the pipes, and can ultimately lead to blockages and reduced efficiency of heating components. In the end, this translates to increased maintenance costs incurred by you. Therefore, we advise you to use the CLR remover to avoid such eventualities.

Mix one part of CLR with eight parts of water and shake thoroughly. Use this solution to clean your kettles and boilers. You can also use it for your toilet bowl. After washing the affected parts, let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with cold water. This method is effective in obliterating limescale.

4. Vinegar Spray For Glass Shower Doors

Your classy glass shower doors can appear ugly and distasteful when covered in hard water stains. You can barely see through it and these stains can be irking. Over time, these stains accumulate as the hard water flows on the glass doors, leaving behind deposits. This simple method can ensure your glass bathroom doors stay crystal clear.

For application, you only need vinegar and water. In a spray bottle, mix the water and vinegar in equal portions and shake well. Spray this solution generously onto the glass doors. Ensure you wet the entire door with this mixture. Afterward, wash the door with plenty of clean cold water. You can use a toothbrush to scrub the stubborn stains that may remain. Wipe off with a clean towel to give it a final sparkle.

5. Your Fluoride Toothpaste!

Did you know that your normal toothpaste could help you get rid of hard water stains? Well, you had better believe it. Fluoride toothpaste contains active ingredients that can aggressively remove hard water stains. This method is as simple as it gets; you only need toothpaste and an old toothbrush.

With minimal fuss, you can remove hard water stains from the faucets, mirrors, and even some porcelain dishes by brushing thoroughly for at least 1 minute. You should let the toothpaste sit for at least 5-10 minutes before washing it off with cold water and cleaning with a dry towel. This is a simple DIY cleaning hack that you can employ in your home to get rid of hard water stains.

Hard water stains are bound to form in one place or another in the house, especially when using hard water. Although there is no evidence to show that hard water is harmful to your health, it is important to clean these stains regularly to avoid accumulation. As always, it is better to prevent than to cure.

At Aquarius Home Services, we specialize in providing solutions for hard water and other related problems. Contact us today to know more about how you can remedy the hard water stains in your home.

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