How To Remove Hard Water Stains The Easy Way

Based on the location where your home is situated, your water might be classified as soft or hard. Hard water isn’t “hard,” and soft water isn’t “soft,” so what’s the difference? How can you discern the difference?

The term “softness” or hardness of water is the term used to describe the number of minerals, such as lime (aka limescale) or calcium, as well as magnesium in your home’s tap water. The water coming from the faucet travels quite a distance to reach your residence and picks trace amounts of minerals from underground when it travels across the layers of rock. Due to this greater mineral content hard water is more likely to stick to dishes, glass as well as bathtubs, sinks, and dishes than soft water, causing staining. It can even cause damage to water heaters, plumbing, glass, and porcelain.

This is why if your house is awash with hard water it’s an excellent idea to understand how to get rid of hard water staining from your kitchen and bathroom. Although it’s not considered to be a health hazard or safety concern for your family and you, however, it can cause problems if you aren’t aware of how to remove hard water stains. To find out the characteristics of hard water and how to get rid of hard water stains, go these The Maids’ field-tested easy methods below.

What Do Hard Water Stains Look Like?

What are the signs to tell whether you have hard water? Here are some indicators that indicate your water could contain high minerals:

• A film that forms on your hands after washing dishes, or the body following you take baths could indicate hard water. The film is caused by soap reacting with the mineral content of your drinking water. It creates what is commonly referred to as soap scum.
• Hard water may leave marks on silverware, glassware, and even dishes when they are washed in the dishwasher. The culprit is calcium carbonate. it may stain or even cause etching on glass.
• Stains that aren’t explained in your laundry may result from the mineral content in hard water. Because of the minerals’ abrasiveness, they also trigger excessive wear and tear to clothes every time you clean them.
• The low pressure in your water can be due to an issue with your plumbing or the rupture of a local water pipe or bursting, but it could be caused by hard water. Mineral deposits accumulate within your pipes and the narrower waterway decreases the flow of water.
• Stains of dark red or brown in the bathroom, sink, or tub could be due to high levels of iron that are present in hard water.

How to Remove Hard Water Stains From Glass

Even if you clean your shower like a pro, you still need to know how to clean hard water stains. Cleaning your shower doors regularly will help keep limescale at bay, but it’s best to be on the lookout for new hard water stains before they get too bad. These cloudy water stains won’t come off with regular glass cleaning solutions, so you’re going to need a DIY solution for cleaning hard water stains on glass.

Salt and Water

• Mix a paste with table salt and water.
• Use a microfiber cloth to rub the paste onto the stains
• Scrub firmly until the cloudiness disappears
• Wipe the stained area with a clean damp cloth
• Dry the glass with paper towels.

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.
• Rinse the area with a clean camp cloth.
• Dry the glass.

If you water your lawn and have hard water, the minerals can stain and etch your exterior window glass. You can use either of the stain removers above, but you’ll want to have your windows cleaned first so you can see the hard water stains you’re trying to remove in the first place.

How to Remove Hard Water Stains On Sinks And Bathtubs

Most sinks and tubs are constructed from iron or porcelain that has an enamel finish. And although they’re not particularly porous, hard water frequently stains these surfaces. Iron stains are obvious on usually white finishes, but other stains from hard water can be chalky white and difficult to spot. Utilize these stain treatment techniques for hard water stains and read our tips to get rid of another bathtub staining after you’ve finished.

• Start with a clean bathroom and use these tips to learn how to get rid of hard water stains using safe, natural cleaners.
• Mix half water and half white vinegar in a spray bottle.
• Spray the entire sink or tub until it’s saturated.
• Let the vinegar and water work on the hard water stains for 20 minutes.
• Respray the stained areas and scrub them with an old toothbrush.
• Retreat any visible stains with your spray and let it sit for another 20 minutes.
• Use a magic eraser to scrub away any remaining stains.
• Rinse the tub or sink with hot water.

If your tub or sink with hard water stains is made from acrylic or similar material, you’ll add baking soda to the mix.

• Lay paper towels on the hard water and soak them with vinegar.
• Let the vinegar work on the stains for two hours.
• Remove the paper towels, rinse, and check to see if the stains are still visible.
• Use a baking soda and water paste to tackle stubborn stains and rinse again.

While there’s not much you can do about where your tap water comes from, you can invest in a water-softening system to minimize the mineral content. Water softening systems use filters that trap calcium, magnesium, and other hard minerals that cause stains, giving you softer water and fewer stains.

Now that you’re an expert hard water stain remover, why not add to your housekeeping skills with our extensive library of housekeeping guides? Whether you do the work or choose one of our popular house cleaning services, we’re committed to helping you enjoy a clean home more often.

Learn how The Weekend Maids can make keeping your home clean easier when you get your free estimate today.