Difficult Hard Water Stains

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated September 2, 2019)

2

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to remove some difficult hard water stains from your bathroom? For some reason, the harder the water then the more difficult it is to get rid of the stains that the water leaves behind. That being said, just because the stains may be more difficult to remove, doesn't mean you need to throw your hands up in despair and give up. Rather, all you need to do is use one of these methods to get your task done

  • Bleach. Bleach can often remove many of the stains that we can find around our homes, and difficult hard water stains are no different. Instead of using straight bleach though, start off by using a mixture of half water, and half bleach. Place this mixture into a spray bottle, and spray the stains before scrubbing the stain away. Rinse as you normally would, but be sure to completely dry the surface once you are finished.
  • Commercial cleaners. Use a cleaner such as Bar Keeper's Friend or C.L.R. to help remove the stains. Be sure that you follow the manufacturer's direction closely in order to make sure you are using the cleaners correctly. Once you have cleaned the difficult hard water stains away, rinse the area completely and dry with a towel.
  • White vinegar. Create a mixture of water, vinegar, and a cleaning detergent. The proportions used should be about 75% vinegar, 20% water, and 5% of the cleaning detergent. Place the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it on the stains as you would with a glass cleaner. Scrub away with a sponge or green scrubbie, and rinse the area clean. Do not let the surface air dry, but rather use a towel or cloth to remove the moisture.
  • Baking soda. Baking soda is always a great way to remove many stains, and those difficult hard water stains are no different. Moisten the stained area with water, and sprinkle a little bit of baking soda onto the water. Use a plastic scrubber, and begin to work on the stained areas. Once you have removed the stain, rinse the area thoroughly to ensure that you remove all the baking soda, and then dry with a towel.
  • Pumice. For particularly difficult hard water stains, you can try to use a pumice stone or bar. However, this is a fairly drastic measure and should always be used cautiously. Test it out on an inconspicuous area that is stained first, before you begin general use. The reason is that the bar may scratch your tile, which can lead to more problems. Use the least amount of pressure to remove the stain, and then rinse the area clean.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Storing Homemade Noodles

Nothing can set off a soup or pasta dish quite like homemade noodles. Considering how much work can go into making the ...

Discover More

Touching Up Cabinets

Over time, even the nicest of cabinets will need a little touch up work. Why spend the time and money to completely ...

Discover More

Spot Cleaning Leather Sofas

Leather sofas, chairs, and other furniture have become increasingly popular over the years. In fact, you can't really go ...

Discover More

Remove Stubborn Stains Quickly Get everything looking clean again: Walls, floors, baseboards, counters, blinds, appliances, and more. Micro-scrubbers easily reach into surface grooves, lifting dirt away. This low-cost 8-pack is great for stubborn stains and touble areas. Check out Mr. Clean Magic Eraser 8-Pack today!

More Cleaning Tips

Toilet Brushes

Keeping the toilet clean isn't a fun job, but it is one that must be done regularly. Use a good toilet brush to make this ...

Discover More

Bathroom Cleaners

Is there really anything more disgusting than a dirty bathroom? Help keep your bathroom sparkling clean by choosing the ...

Discover More

Cleaning Opaque Glass Shower Doors

Getting soap scum and mineral deposits off of opaque glass doors may take a little elbow grease but can be made easier by ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 6 - 0?

2021-09-16 20:49:01

J J

Baking soda won’t do it. Hard water is alkaline, so baking soda is ineffective. Vinegar is better, because the alkaline buildup needs acid to cut through it. Believe me, I know hard water—I live in an area where the water is incredibly hard! Rain water is very soft, right? OK, where I live, the water is incredibly hard, about the exact opposite of rain water. Hard-water deposits are a bear to clean off!


2021-09-13 05:29:43

Lori Zinn

What about hard water/scale stains in a toilet bowl and around the water entry point? I have hunted everywhere for help to make our toilet look respectable, and have even used a knife to try and remove the scale in the bowl. Online toilet supposed toilet cleaning always shows much newer toilets than ours, and that are already clean looking, or with just a bit of surface grunge. Our toilet is at least forty years old, but still perfectly usable, just I have a real problem to get it look unstained. Please help with workable suggestions.


Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.