If you’re finding that you have cloudy stains on your glass shower doors, taps, sinks, and even tiles, you’re most likely dealing with hard water stains. These pesky stains not only leave an unsightly residue, but they can also wreak havoc on your pipes and cause clogged drains. You’ve most likely already tried scrubbing away hard water stains only to find they’re more persistent than what you thought. However, hard water marks require a bit more than just elbow grease, here’s everything you need to know.
What is hard water?
Not all water is created equal, depending on where you live you may have hard or soft water. Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals which occurs as a result of percolating through limestone, chalk, or gypsum deposits. Because of this, when the water evaporates, it can leave behind a white, chalky residue that stains and is difficult to remove. You might not notice it at first, but over time as more water evaporates, stains can build up and eventually make surfaces look dull and dirty. The key to defeating hard water stains is to stay on top of them with regular cleaning.
What do I need to get rid of hard water stains?
While most stains you can tackle with just dish soap and warm water, to get rid of hard water stains, you’ll need a few more cleaning products up your sleeve. Depending on what it is you’re cleaning, you’ll need:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Lemon juice
- A spray bottle
- Microfibre cloths
- A non-abrasive scrub brush or sponge
- Rubber gloves
How to get rid of hard water stains
Glass:
- Fill a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and water. The acidity of vinegar will help break down the hard residue.
- Spray the vinegar solution over the glass and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Using a clean microfibre cloth, wipe the glass in a circular motion. For more stubborn stains, you’ll need to repeat the first two steps a couple of times.
- Rinse the glass with clean water and wipe it with a dry microfibre cloth which will prevent new water stains from occurring.
Taps and metal:
- Soak a cloth in white vinegar or lemon juice which will help dissolve the stain.
- Wrap the cloth around the stained taps or metal and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. This will give the acid plenty of time to dissolve the stains.
- Take the cloth off and then scrub with a non-abrasive brush to get rid of the broken down residue.
- Rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth.
Sinks and tiles:
- Combine baking soda and water to make a paste.
- Using a sponge, apply the paste onto the water stained areas and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Scrub the stains using a non-abrasive brush or sponge.
- Rinse thoroughly with water and wipe dry with a clean cloth to avoid recurring stains.
How to prevent future stains
Getting rid of hard water stains is no easy feat, so to prevent a build up of hard water residue in the future, there’s a few things you should be doing:
Regular cleaning: Hard water stains come from a residue build up, so be sure to wipe up water before it evaporates. A quick daily wipe of your glass shower doors, taps and tiles may feel arduous, but it’ll save you having to do a deep clean later on.
Use a squeegee: Even the small droplets left on the shower door are enough to create stains. After every shower, get into the habit of using a squeegee to get rid of any droplets from the shower glass.
Invest in a water softener: Hard water doesn’t just cause stains, it causes limescale and can even wreak havoc on your skin and hair. It might be worth investing in a water softener which can remove the harsh minerals from your water and keep your home clean and water stain-free.
