Tips to Remove Hard Water Stains

Depending on your home location, your water could be categorized as hard or soft. Hard water doesn’t feel “hard”; the same applies to soft water. But how do you tell the difference?

Water softness or hardness refers to the concentration of minerals like calcium, lime, and magnesium in your home water. This concentration variation is because the water from your tap travels a long way. Once rain falls from the sky, it picks up traces of underground minerals as it filters through layers of rocks.

Hard water has a higher concentration of mineral deposits, which adhere to sinks, dishes, glass, and bathtubs once the water evaporates. These mineral deposits can damage water heaters, porcelain, plumbing, and glass. Conversely, soft water carries a lower concentration of minerals and leaves little or no minerals behind after evaporation. Therefore, if your home has hard water, it’s a good idea to learn how to remove mineral stains in the bathroom or kitchen.

Tips From a Home Cleaning Service in Charlotte: Hard Water Stains

Removing Hard Water Stains from Glass

It doesn’t matter if you clean your shower like a pro. You still need to know how to remove hard water stains on your shower doors. Here are some simple processes:

Salt and Water Method

• Make a paste using water and table salt
• Use a microfiber cloth and rub the paste directly on the stains
• Scrub until the cloudiness on the glass disappears
• Wipe with a clean damp cloth
• Dry with paper towels

Lemon Juice and Distilled White Vinegar Method

• Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and lemon juice, then pour into a spray bottle
• Spray the mix on the stain
• Leave it for 5 minutes
• Use a cloth to rub the stained area until its clean
• Rinse with a clean damp cloth and dry with paper towels

Make sure to clean the glass when you notice hard water stains.

Removing Hard Water Stains on Sinks and Bathtubs

Most tubs and sinks are made from iron with an enamel finish or porcelain. These aren’t porous, but hard water stains persistently stain the finishes. Here is how to remove them.

• Start with a clean bathroom to notice the hard water stains.
• Mix half vinegar and half water in a spray bottle
• Spray the entire tub or sink until its saturated
• Let it stay for 20 minutes
• Respray the stained areas and use an old toothbrush to scrub the stains
• If there are visible stains, respray and let it sit for 20 more minutes
• Get a magic eraser and scrub off the remaining stains
• Rinse the sink or tub with hot water
• If the sink or tub is made from acrylic or similar material, add baking soda to the mix and once you spray, let it sit for at least two hours for the mixture to work on the stains properly.

Removing Hard Water Stains in Your Toilet

Hard water minerals are the most likely cause of those rings around the inside of the toilet bowl. Here are tips on removing the hard water stains in your toilet.

• Pour a full cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl
• Swish the vinegar and water around, then let it sit for about 5 minutes
• Scrub the toilet with the toilet brush
• Flush and check the toilet for stains
• If there are stubborn stains, pour a cup of baking soda into the toilet
• Scrub the stains with water and baking soda using the toilet brush
• Wait for the baking soda to whiten and break down the hard water stains for at least 20 minutes
• Flush your toilet and check if the stains are still visible
• If you have persistent hard water stains on your toilet, cut the water supply and flush it. Pour a cup of hydrogen peroxide inside the toilet and let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse.

The Organic Maids

Removing hard water stains is a job best for professionals. If you don’t have time to clean your sinks, tubs, shower, grout, or toilet thoroughly, how about letting the professionals handle it? The Organic Maids are a home cleaning service in Charlotte that is best suited for you. Get your home professionally cleaned and all hard water stains removed by our cleaning professionals. Call us today at 704-999-1947 and schedule a home cleaning.