You know those disgusting milky-white watermarks you see on your drinking glasses and dishes after you wash and dry them out? They also appear as spots on bathroom walls. Those are called hard water stains, says Adaptive Realty company.
Hard water stains occur when a home’s water supply is hard. Hard water has high dissolved minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, and iron. When hard water evaporates, it leaves behind the dissolved minerals inside it.
These mineral deposits create the spotty appearance you see on glass surfaces. Hard water stains also appear as a dull whitish coating on sinks and faucets. Getting rid of hard water stains is hard because the stains don’t go away with just water and soap.
How to get rid of hard water stains
The following natural cleaners and household items will help you remove hard water stains in your home.
Baking soda
Because it dissolves calcium deposits, baking soda effectively removes hard water stains. Depending on the kind of surface you want to clean and how badly it is stained, you can use baking soda alone or with vinegar. A baking soda paste with water is enough to restore most hard water-stained surfaces.
Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the best methods for removing hard water stains. As long as you don’t use it on soft stone materials (marble, granite, or soapstone), vinegar will remove stains without damaging your items. To clean a stained surface with vinegar, dip a clean rag in a vinegar-water mix to wipe the surface, or pour vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the affected surfaces.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide will dissolve hard water stains and soap scum, especially on bathtubs and metal fixtures. Using this natural cleaner is easy. With a clean cloth, apply a hydrogen peroxide solution to the area you want to clean. Let it work its way into the stain for 15 minutes. Scrub the surface with a brush to remove the loosened dirt.
Fluoride toothpaste
If you don’t have the above items in your home, you can use toothpaste. Fluoride toothpaste will remove hard water stains from glass surfaces, dishware, and metal fixtures. Just apply a small amount of toothpaste to the surface and scrub it with a brush or clean cloth. Rinse the item with water (not hard water) to finish cleaning it.
Removing hard water stains from different surfaces in the home
How to remove hard water stains from mirrors and shower doors
Mix equal parts vinegar and water. Pour in a spray bottle and spray on a stained surface. Let it sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing it with a soft sponge. If stains remain, use a paste of vinegar and baking soda. Apply on the surface, leave for 10 minutes, and wipe clean.
How to remove hard water stains from your sink
Make a paste of equal parts baking soda and vinegar. Apply the mixture evenly to the sink surface. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Wipe the surface with a sponge and rinse the solution away with clean water.
How to remove hard water stains from faucets and showerheads
To eliminate hard water stains on showerheads and faucets, soak them in vinegar. Wrap the showerhead or faucet in a microfiber cloth soaked in vinegar and let it sit for one hour. Or pour vinegar into a plastic bag and submerge the showerhead in the solution. Secure with a rubber band and leave for one hour. Rinse with water after scrubbing with a brush or cloth.
How to remove hard water stains from dishware
To remove spots on dishes, fill a bucket or the kitchen sink with a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. If the dishware is badly stained, add baking soda. Soak the dishware in the mixture for up to 30 minutes. Scrub the items with a soft sponge and rinse thoroughly.
How to remove hard water stains from bathtubs
Do not use vinegar on bathtubs made of marble or other soft, porous stones. Instead, use isopropyl alcohol. Mix ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol with one cup of water, pour into a spray bottle, and apply evenly to the bathtub surface. Wait 15 minutes and scrub with a soft sponge or brush before rinsing the surface clean.
How to remove hard water stains from your toilet
Using a spray bottle, cover the toilet surface with vinegar and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. You may also use a solution of equal parts vinegar and baking soda. Alternatively, sprinkle the surface with baking soda and follow it with vinegar. Let this fizzy mixture sit in place for 10 minutes before rinsing.
If these tips don’t solve your hard water stain issues or you have hard water-stained surfaces not covered in this post, you may ask a professional plumber for advice.