3 Ways to Remove Hard Water Stains

We’ve talked about how to tell the difference between hard and soft water - and why it matters - but today we’re going to troubleshoot one of the biggest issues that comes with hard water. Stains.

Hard water stains can affect anything from dishes to your shower, and while they aren’t harmful, they’re a little gross and can make you feel like the glass you’re drinking from or the faucet you’re using to clean isn’t even clean itself. 

Now, there are plenty of cleaners on the market that do a fine job, but there’s plenty of stuff in your pantry, too. Whether you are trying to avoid harsh chemicals, don’t want to go to the store, or just feeling like playing scientist, let’s talk about what you can use to clean hard water stains off a variety of surfaces in your home.

Vinegar

Honestly, what can’t vinegar do? You can use it to remove hard water stains from any surface in your home; put it in a spray bottle and spray affected areas, or for vertical surfaces (like glass shower doors) soak paper towels and stick them to the surface. Leave for 5 to 15 minutes (dampen during that time if necessary) and scrub with any old bristle brush you have - even an old toothbrush for small areas like faucets. If you have drinking glasses or dishes that have gone cloudy from hard water stains you can also soak them for 15 minutes to restore clarity.

The best part? You can use whatever vinegar you have on hand, especially white or apple cider. If those don’t do the trick, you may want to upgrade to cleaning vinegar for anything but dishes.

Baking Soda

You can use baking soda on its own or mix it with vinegar for that volcano effect that’s so satisfying (you can also use baking soda and vinegar to break up drain clogs, so it does double duty in your sink)

On its own, mix baking soda and water into a paste and use it to clean up ceramic tile - get out that scrub brush and watch the tiles gleam.

Fluoride Toothpaste

Faucet looking dingy? Next time you’re brushing your teeth, squirt some toothpaste onto the metal fixtures as well. Scrub with an old toothbrush for shine. (If you want to take your toothpaste on an adventure, it can also be used on glasses and dishes).

If all else fails, or you just get tired of cleaning up hard water stains, you can call us to ask about a water conditioning system and get rid of your hard water for good.