Natural Ways to Remove Hard Water Stains

Hard water in your home has multiple downsides, but one of the major ones is that it can quickly leave residue on your faucets, toilets, and showers. Bust the buildup with easy-to-make DIY cleaning solutions that use ingredients you probably already have around the house.

First, What Are Hard Water Stains?

Hard water has more minerals, including calcium and magnesium. When the water evaporates, such as your shower drying after you use it, or sits for a long time, such as in the toilet bowl, it can leave those minerals behind. This is what causes the residue on appliances and fixtures that use water.

Hard water stains come in several colors, including cloudy white, reddish-brown, and dark brown. The color depends on the saturation of minerals in your water and what kind they are. Routine cleaning helps keep these stains at bay since they’ll just continue to build up and harden over time.

How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Your Home's Surfaces

A few different natural products or DIY cleaning solutions are effective at removing the stains hard water leaves behind. Here’s the best one to use for each surface in your home:

Removing Hard Water Stains from Glass

Vinegar is the most effective cleaner for glass surfaces.

Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
Spray the mixture on hard water stains on glass shower doors, mirrors, and other glass. Let sit for 30 minutes.
Use a lightly damp sponge to scrub the stain away fully.
If residue is left, mix baking soda with enough water to make a paste. Rub it on the stains and let sit for 30 minutes.
Scrub away the remaining buildup with a soft-bristled brush or a clean sponge.
Rinse the walls completely and dry to remove excess water, preventing more buildup.

How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Your Shower or Bath

If you have a tile or stone shower, skip the vinegar. Isopropyl alcohol offers a similar cleaning without damaging the more porous stone.

Mix 1 cup of water and ¼ cup rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) in a spray bottle.
Spray onto the stone or tile that has buildup. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
Scrub the stain away with a lightly damp sponge.
Wet a clean sponge or cloth with hot water (be careful that it’s not too hot to handle) and wipe the walls and floor of your shower or tub clean.
Rinse the walls with water and dry to remove excess water.

Dealing with Hard Water Stains in Your Toilet

Vinegar and baking soda combine to bust the buildup ring that forms in many toilets that use hard water.

Pour 1 cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl, making sure it covers the stains. Let sit for 5 minutes.
Sprinkle baking soda over the stains. Let this fizz for 10 minutes.
Add more vinegar into the bowl and let sit for 20 minutes.
Use a toilet brush to scrub away the residue.
Flush the toilet to get rid of any debris.

How to Remove Hard Water Buildup from a Faucet or Showerhead

Faucets and showerheads can be tricky to clean since it’s often hard to get a cleaner that can sit long enough to break down the residue. That’s why you’ll need a microfiber cloth to go along with this vinegar-based cleaning solution.

Soak a microfiber cloth in vinegar. You can also use paper towels if you don’t have one.
Wrap your faucet or showerhead in the soaked microfiber cloth. Use rubber bands to keep it in place, if necessary.
Let sit for about an hour.
Remove the cloth and scrub the stains with a soft-bristled brush or clean sponge.
Rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth.

Handle Hard Water Residue with Routine Professional Cleaning

Regular cleaning is the most important part of staying on top of hard water stains in your toilet, sinks, showers, and other fixtures. The more you let the stains sit, the more buildup accumulates and the harder it is to get things clean again. Routine cleaning services from The Cleaning Authority help you keep staining minimal and hard water residue at bay.

Call (888) 658-0659 for a free estimate or get a free estimate online to get started.