These tough signs are just making bathroom cleaning or Cleaning the kitchen sink More difficult, but professional cleaners are clear that these stains should not clutter a spotless space.
There are many ways to get rid of hard water stains—here are eight that the pros recommend.
How to get rid of hard water stains
These eight Cleaning tips Experts claim that it is very easy to combat the signs of hard water and reduce the time you spend cleaning. Besides, you likely already have some of these products in your cleaning cupboard!
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1. Dawn dish soap
in the first moment, Clean with Dawn Powerwash It can help get rid of light spots and marks that have appeared recently, says Ryan Knoll, professional cleaner and founder Casa mattress (Opens in a new tab). After it’s evenly distributed over the surface and left for 15 minutes, you can use a lightly abrasive sponge to scrub away the buildup.
“The Dawn dish soap and sponge method is simple but works very well on glass shower doors,” he adds.
Ryan Knoll is the CEO and founder of Tidy Casa, a cleaning service that now extends to multiple states across the United States.
2. White vinegar
There are very few Things you can’t clean with vinegarAnd The non-toxic acid helps cut through odors, tough grease, soap scum and alkaline hard water stains.
“Acids dissolve alkaline deposits (such as minerals) so white vinegar can be a good choice on surfaces not damaged by acetic acid—be sure to test a small area first,” she says. Allen Legacy (Opens in a new tab)boss Internal Health Board (Opens in a new tab). “Keep the surface wet with the vinegar for 30 minutes, then scrub off the residue with an abrasive scouring pad.”
Vinegar cleaning Also useful for ill-shaped, wall-mounted bathroom fixtures, he adds Lucy Henderson (Opens in a new tab)professional cleaner and founder of Palladio Interiors.
You fill a sandwich bag halfway with white vinegar, bring it to the faucet/shower head until the head is submerged, and secure the sandwich bag by wrapping a thick rubber band around the top of the sandwich bag and the faucet/shower pipe,” she explains. Run water to gently fill the bag. with water until full Leave it for a few hours before removing the bag Wipe the area with a clean sponge and plain water before drying.
Allen Rathi is a cleaning professional turned educator. He is the President/Former Owner of the Housekeeping Channel, Healthy House Institute, Health Facilities Institute (HFI) and e-learning specialist HFI-U. He founded the International Custody Advisers Network (ICAN), served as an educational liaison for the IEHA, and director of the Inland Health Council.
3. A bar-keeper’s friend
Bar Keepers Friend is a staple in professional cleaners’ cleaning kits for a reason. The fine powder is ideal for a range of tough cleaning jobs, from removing grease to breaking up limescale. It’s especially useful for stubborn hard water stains that have been around for a long time, says professional cleaner Ryan Knoll.
to Clean up with Bar Keepers FriendHe sprays it on the affected surface and wets it to activate it, letting it lather, he says. Rubbing in a circular motion helps remove stains. Rinse and the surface will look practically new.
One thing to note, however, is the corrosive effects of this cleanser on the skin, adds Ryan: ‘Bar Keepers Friend is an oxalic acid cleanser, so wear scrubbing gloves,’ at Amazon (Opens in a new tab)Especially for people with sensitive skin.
4. Borax
more common when He does the laundryBorax can be used to remove hard water stains, too, says professional cleaner Lucy Henderson. To do this, mix the borax with white vinegar until it forms a thick, spreadable paste that you can apply with an old toothbrush to the stain and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
She adds that this method is especially useful for toilets. Once the paste has set, you can clean by simply flushing the system once or twice. You should take patches with you.
Lucy Henderson is the cleaning specialist and interiors enthusiast behind Palladio Interiors, a home care blog. Her goal is to help others have a more beautiful, peaceful, and comfortable home.
5. Wet pumice stone
If you want a truly chemical-free clean, a wet pumice stone may be the best option for you. neatly used Porcelain sink cleaningIt can also be used to clean toilet bowls and showers. The trick is to wet the stone and use it at the correct angle for an effective cleaning, says Johannes Bangau Godoy, cleaning expert at Leox (Opens in a new tab). Holding it at an angle will help prevent scratching while also lifting tough marks.
6. Toilet cleaner
Although there are a lot of Bathroom cleaning hacks that don’t workUsing toilet cleaner to remove water stains in the bathroom is helpful if nothing else has worked. However, when doing so, make sure the surface is free of any other chemicals or cleaners to prevent reactions.
Most people don’t like the idea of using toilet cleaners off the throne. However, it’s a common household HCl cleaner that almost all households have, and it works magic on glass or porcelain with calcium buildup,’ assures Ryan Knoll, a professional cleaner. “Just be careful when using hydrochloric acid cleaners on delicate surfaces because they can leave stains if mishandled.”
7. The Pink Stuff
Like much of the internet, we can’t get enough of it Clean with The Pink Stuff. It’s great at removing all kinds of stains and marks around the house, cleaning expert Johannes Bangau Godoy recommends using it to remove hard water marks from around the house.
“It’s great for removing stubborn stains on tile, ceramic, and grout,” he says. Put a small amount on a damp cloth and spread it over the stain before rinsing it out – that’s it! ”
We also love this dough for Cleaning glass shower doors And even remove watermarks quickly Window cleaning hack Because the gentle abrasive is enough to remove buildup without scratching the surface.
8. Baking soda
Baking soda is a natural stain remover, especially when mixed with vinegar. These two simple ingredients create a powerful chemical reaction that releases carbon dioxide which helps draw minerals off surfaces and leave a clean look behind.
To do this, cleaning expert Johannes Godoy recommends making a thick paste of baking soda and vinegar and applying it to the stain for half an hour. After that, wash with hot water and wipe with a cloth.
Why do hard water spots appear?
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Hard water marks are notoriously hard to get rid of, but what causes them in the first place? The housewife and cleaning specialist explains, “Hard water marks, also known as hard water spots, are caused by the minerals in ‘hard water.'” Jennifer Smith (Opens in a new tab) Urban house corner. Hard water is high in minerals, usually calcium, and magnesium, and affects about 85% of the United States.
When hard water evaporates or dries on any surface, it leaves behind these minerals on the surfaces, resulting in unsightly stains. Signs of hard water can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- High content of minerals in the water supply
- Use hard water to wash dishes or clothes
- Using harsh cleaning products can damage surfaces and make them more susceptible to signs of hard water
Jennifer Smith is a homemaker and blogger with Urban Home Corner. A self-taught appliance expert, Jeniffer is the first step to curating appliance queries on the blog, helping customers find affordable solutions to common home problems.
How to prevent hard water stains
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Prevention is always better than cure, especially when it comes to saving time and energy. But how do you prevent something as inevitable as hard water spots without cutting back on your water use entirely?
1. Choose a surface protector like Rainx
A quick solution to banishing hard water stains is to apply a surface protectant like Rainx at Amazon (Opens in a new tab), a water repellent that will help filter and roll away water before drying, suggests cleaning expert Ryan Knoll of Tidy Casa. One downside to this is the need to reapply these products frequently, at least once a week, to maintain their effectiveness, he says.
“You can put it in a handy spray bottle to keep applications short and sweet,” he recommends. “This will save hours of cleaning up later.”
2. Consider drying surfaces after each use
Since you’d treat any other household stain as quickly as possible, why not treat hard water stains the same way, asks housewife Jennifer Smith. Wiping down surfaces before the water dries or evaporates will reduce the number of unsightly marks left after using the sinks, washing dishes, or showering. You can use a custom soft cloth or towel, letting it dry between uses or a squeegee for glass shower doors.
Regular cleaning prevents hard water stains from building up. Use a gentle cleanser and a soft cloth or sponge to avoid damaging the surface, Jennifer adds.
3. Invest in a water softener for long-lasting changes
Like a home install water filterA water softener isn’t the least expensive way to tackle hard water stains, but it’s the best if you want to protect your home and your health. “A softener removes minerals from the water before it enters your home,” says Jennifer Smith. This can help you if you have it The tap water is cloudyor it tastes bad when you drink it from the tap.
questions and answers
Does Coca-Cola remove limescale?
Limescale or hard water stains can be removed with Coca-Cola, especially in toilets and kettles due to its acidic properties. One thing to note, however, is its relative ineffectiveness compared to other household cleaners such as vinegar or Bark Keepers Friend.
Are hard water stains bad?
Hard water stains are harmless to your health, but they can ruin the look of your bathroom or kitchen. Preventing or removing these stains before they build up too bad will improve the look of your space and make household cleaning easier in the long run.
Hard water stains around the house can be difficult to remove. However, good prevention and a combination of good water stain cleaning solutions means that those who live in hard water areas are not doomed to unsightly stains across their home fixtures.
