How to Remove Hard Water Stains

Do you admire chic bathroom fittings but are scared to install them, dreading the hard water stains? Well, you are not alone. Almost 85 percent homes in the United States have a hard water supply that leads to hard water stains.

Hard water stains are nothing hazardous. They’re simply deposits of minerals like calcium and magnesium that leave behind chalky stains. These minerals are great for your body but not so much for your bathroom fittings and kitchen appliances. Read on if you wish to learn to remove hard water stains.

Removing these stains can be frustrating, as they sometimes just won’t budge. They can make your bathroom or kitchen look dingy even though it is clean.

A number of cleaning products are available in the market, but many aren’t a wise choice due to their toxic chemical content.

You can deal with those pesky stains using many nontoxic methods – without involving a lot of muscle.

If you are game to give them a try, here are five ways demonstrating how to remove hard water stains. We’ve demonstrated using shower heads, faucets and mirrors. The various methods can be applied to most any fixtures or surfaces that may have hard water stains.

Method 1: Use Vinegar

There is nothing that vinegar can’t do. White distilled vinegar has acidic properties that help break down stubborn, crusty hard water deposits.

Step 1. Fill a bowl with vinegar

• Pour 2 cups of vinegar into a large bowl.

Step 2. Soak the shower head in vinegar

• Place the shower head in the bowl, ensuring that the scummy area is completely submerged in the vinegar.
• Let it soak overnight.

If you don’t have a detachable shower head, fill a plastic bag with vinegar and secure it over the shower head with a rubber band. Leave it on overnight.

Step 3. Scrub the shower head with an old toothbrush

• The next morning, remove the shower head from the vinegar.
• Using an old toothbrush, clean off the loosened mineral scales.
• Use a toothpick to open any clogged spray holes.

Step 4. Rinse with water and reinstall the shower head

• Rinse the shower head under running water, and dry it off with a paper towel.
• Reinstall the shower head.
• Run cold water through it to flush out any remaining deposits.

Method 2: Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

Another way to remove hard water stains from showerheads and faucets is to use vinegar and baking soda which are the two most common household products used for cleaning. When mixed, the two react to form carbonic acid that serves as a strong cleaning agent.

It’s a good idea to wear gloves while working with baking soda, as its abrasive nature can harm your skin.

Things you’ll need

• White vinegar (dissolves mineral deposits) – 1 to 2 cups
• Baking soda (aids in mineral deposit removal) – 4 tablespoons

Step 1. Mix baking soda and vinegar

• Pour 1 to 2 cups of vinegar into a bowl.
• Add about 4 tablespoons of baking soda to the vinegar.

Keep the bowl in the sink, as the solution may bubble over due to the chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar.

Step 2. Soak the shower head in the solution overnight

• Place the shower head in the solution.
• Let it soak overnight.

Step 3. Scrub the shower head with a toothbrush

• Scrub the shower head with an old toothbrush the next morning to remove the mineral deposits.

Step 4. Rinse with water and pat dry

• Rinse with cold water to wash off the vinegar.
• Dry the shower head with a towel before reinstalling it.
• Run a cold shower to flush out any remaining deposits.

Method 3: Use Lemon Juice

Lemon is a mild natural acid and can dissolve the mineral deposits that lead to hard water stains. It also helps to remove corrosion on metal fixtures.

Things you’ll need:

• Fresh lemon juice (dissolves mineral deposits)
• Old toothbrush
• Dry towel

Single-Step Method: Spray lemon juice on the stains and scrub clean

• Spray fresh lemon juice on the stained faucet. Alternatively, you can cut a lemon in half and apply the lemon juice directly on the faucet.
• Scrub the grooves with an old toothbrush.
• Wipe off the remaining liquid with a dry towel.

Method 4: Use Liquid Dish Soap

Liquid dish soaps are easy to use and can leave your mirrors squeaky clean and bright.

 Things you’ll need:

• Liquid dish soap (easy-to-use cleaning agent) – 1 tablespoon
• Water in a spray bottle – 4 tablespoons
• Towel – 2

Step 1. Prepare the soap solution in a spray bottle

• Add 1 tablespoon of dish soap to 4 tablespoons of water in a spray bottle.
• Close the cap and shake well to mix the soap and water.

Step 2. Spray the soap solution and buff with a towel

• Spray the soap solution on the stained mirror.
• Buff the mirror with a towel in small circular motions to remove the water stains.
• Wipe off the remaining liquid with a dry towel.

Method 5: Use a Nontoxic Cleaning Product

#Magic Eraser

A Magic Eraser is a foam-like pad made of a porous melamine material. Since they are lightweight, they are easy to use on stained glass and bathroom fittings.

Things you’ll need:

• Magic Eraser (melamine foam with mild cleaning agent)
• Water
• Dry towel

Single-Step Method: Soak the eraser in water and buff the faucet

• Soak the Magic Eraser in water.
• Using small circular motions, buff the faucet with the eraser until the stains disappear.
• Wipe off the tap with a towel.

#Windex

You can also use all-purpose Windex to clean hard water stains on a daily basis. It might not be very effective on older stains.

Things you’ll need:

• Windex (all purpose cleaning agent)
• Dry towel

Single-Step Method: Spray on Windex and buff with a towel

• Spray Windex on the stained faucet.
• Wipe it off with a dry towel.

Tips

• Keep your windows open while using vinegar to avoid the lingering smell.
• When using homemade cleaning solutions, test them first on a small area of the surface you want to clean.
• Do not mix commercial cleaning agents with homemade cleaning solutions. The resulting solution can be toxic.
• You can also get rid of hard water stains from glass by wiping it with a newspaper. You can use it dry or soak it in water before wiping.

Summary of How to Remove Hard Water Stains

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