Down because your once pristine bathroom is now covered in unsightly stain? We can relate to that feeling. Fortunately, there are some ways to get rid of eyesores.
So, how to clean bathroom hard water stains?
It’s an intuitive process. First, pick a de-staining agent. Vinegar, H2O2, Baking Soda, Fluoride toothpaste are all good picks. Then apply it to the stain. Let it sit for a while. And finally, rub down the surface with a microfibre cloth. Or, in case you’re too busy, go for an off-the-shelf solution.
That covers the gist of what you’ll need to do. But keep reading for more details on the methods.
Let’s get right to it then.
5 Methods on How to Clean Bathroom Hard Water Stains
No one can avoid hard water stains on their sparkly bathroom surfaces. They are an affront to anyone’s aesthetic sense. The question is how to get rid of bathroom hard water stains. Here are 5 answers to that question-
Method 1: Vinegar Water Solution
The first method is easy to do and requires items that are usually readily available.
Tools
Here’s a list of things you’ll need-
- Vinegar
- Water
- Bottle
- Sprayer
- Paper towels
- Microfibre cloth
Directions
Mix the vinegar and water in the bottle. Maintain a 75:25 vinegar and water ratio. Put the sprayer on the bottle and you are all set to de-stain your bathroom.
Spray directly over the stain and let it sit for 5-15 minutes. If the vinegar starts drying up, spray another layer. After 15 minutes, wipe down the surface with the microfibre cloth.
The spray method might not cut it if the stains are large. In that case, wet a paper towel in the solution and cover the stain with it. Leave it for 15 minutes. After that just wipe it down with the cloth.
Method 2: Baking Soda Vinegar Paste
When the stains are a bit more stubborn you might need more scrubbing power.
Tools
This is everything that is required for this method.
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup of salt
- Spare toothbrush
- Rubber gloves
Directions
Add a cup of vinegar, baking soda, and salt to a bowl. This will create a paste.
Now, spread the paste over the stain by hand. Don’t forget to wear your gloves while doing that. Let the paste sit for 15-20 minutes. When the time’s up, scrub off the paste with the toothbrush.
Repeat till the stain’s all the way gone.
This method is good for removing hard water stains from bathroom tiles too. However, bathroom tiles don’t get stained only by hard water. Whatever the cause for staining though, cleaning stained bathroom tiles is easy.
Method 3: H2O2 & Potassium Bitartrate Paste
Hydrogen Peroxide alone is great for stains on metal and chrome faucets. But add a little potassium bitartrate and make a paste and the toughest stains will disappear.
Tools
Make sure you have the following at your disposal.
- Cream of Tartar
- H2O2
- A bowl
- Rubber gloves
- Microfibre cloth
You can also prepare H2O2 at home if you want.
Directions
Add H2O2 and cream of tartar in a jar in equal parts to make a paste. Then, cover the stained surface with the paste and let it sit for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes wipe off the paste with a microfibre cloth.
The stain should’ve vanished leaving behind a clean surface.
Method 4: Fluoride Toothpaste
It cleans your teeth but can rid your bathroom of nasty stains as well.
Tools
Get these items to clean with this method.
- A toothpaste with fluoride in it
- Spare toothbrush
- Microfibre cloth
Directions
Put the paste on your spare brush and start scrubbing the stains. Scrub till the paste lathers. Then rinse and rub. Use the microfiber cloth to rub.
Keep doing this till the stain disappears completely.
Method 5: Off-the-Shelf Products
Some might find the process of making a paste or creating a solution bothersome. In that case, an off-the-shelf will do the trick.
Here are our suggestions for the best stain remover for bathroom tiles .
| Product 1: Goo Gone Grout & Tile Cleaner. | |
| Product 2: RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Spray. |
You can use these to get rid of tough stains regardless of how they were caused. Just follow the usage directions that come with the product.
Preventing the Stains
Cleaning the stains is easy. But over time the build-up will rob your pristine bathroom of its luster. So, it’s better to invest in prevention.
As a long-term solution, you can use a water softener system. Water softeners get rid of the Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions from the water in your home.
One such system will cost you about $400 – $500. Additionally, based on the type of system you deploy you’ll also be incurring some variable expenses.
These systems come in 2 forms. Ion-exchange water softeners replace the ions. This type of softener needs to be regularly refilled with salt.
Salt-free softeners use potassium which crystallizes the Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions. They require potassium pellets.
You can purchase one that suits your needs. Regardless of which you buy, it’ll be a good investment.
That covers everything you can do to remove and/or prevent hard water stains.
FAQs
Question: What causes hardness in water?
Answer: The magnesium and calcium ions present in water cause its hardness. Groundwater flowing over limestone gathers these minerals. And that leads to hardness.
Question: Will the vinegar ruin my chrome faucet?
Answer: Yes. If the chrome is exposed to vinegar for too long it will deteriorate. Vinegar is a mild acid, but it can still dissolve the chrome if given enough time.
Question: Will vinegar get rid of mold?
Answer: Yes, it will. Just spray vinegar over the mold and let it sit for 2 hours. This will break down the mold. You can then wipe it off with a damp cloth.
Conclusion
We’ve covered everything regarding how to clean bathroom hard water stain. All the methods stated here will work like charms.
You can pick whichever method you want. Or, you can pick one based on what items you have available. Whatever you do, you will have a clean-looking bathroom in no time.
You can now rest easy knowing that the shine isn’t permanently gone from your bathroom.
