Water stains, don’t you just hate them? It seems no matter how hard we try to keep our bathrooms looking good, they keep coming back to mock us. Short of picking up the house and moving it, there might not be much we can do about the hard water flowing in. But with a few creative hacks, we can keep those pesky marks at bay. Intrigued? Then read on for our expert hacks on how to clean stubborn hard water stains.
The Science Bit: Understanding Hard Water Stains
Before we get down to how to tackle them, let’s look at what causes hard water stains. Hard water is high in minerals, usually calcium and magnesium. This shows up in cloudy glasses out the dishwasher, a weird slimy feeling on your hands after washing them, and of course – hard water stains.
These are very common in places that come into contact with lots of water. As the water dries, it leaves behind chalky deposits. That’s why we get shower hard water stains and see them in sinks, on faucets, and in bathtubs.
How to Clean Hard Water Stains
As residents of the Badger State will be well aware, water in Milwaukee tends to be on the harder side. Let’s check out how to clean hard water stains and stop them from coming back.
Hack 1 – White Vinegar to the Rescue
The acid in regular white vinegar is highly effective. It breaks down the alkaline mineral deposits that hard water leaves behind. Get yourself a completely clean, empty spray bottle and make a mixture of 50% white vinegar and 50% plain water.
Spray the shower water stains and other bathroom stains with this solution and then wait. It will take about 15 minutes for it to do its stuff. Then take a clean cloth and wipe it clean. Some stubborn hard water stains may need a second treatment and a good scrub.
Other acids – including some that smell a little sweeter – can also be effective. Lemon juice is a handy alternative. Spritz the stains with some freshly squeezed juice, leave it for ten minutes, and wipe away.
Hack 2 – Baking Soda Joins the Party
If you’re looking for a treatment for hard water stains that stays in place, you need a simple, homemade paste. Make a paste using baking soda and vinegar. Sure, it’ll fizz a bit at first, but once that settles down, you’ll be able to make a thick mixture.
Put this on the hard water stains and leave it for 15 minutes. Then scrub it – and the water stains – away. Dry the area so that water stains don’t recur.
Hack 3 – Specialist Hard Water Cleaner
If the spots are extra stubborn, it’s time to send in the big guns.
In this case, that means employing a hard water cleaner. These are marketed as removing lime or calcium build-up. Most come as spray cleaners. Follow the instructions on the bottle for safe use. They may advise against using it on certain finishes.
What can you do if you have really difficult bathroom stains or hard crusty deposits around faucets? Then you’re going to need a gel cleanser. They are designed to cling to the minerals until they’ve broken them down completely. In most Milwaukee homes, the water is not hard enough to need this. But if it’s been a while since the stains were tackled, it might be needed as a last resort.
Daily Bathroom Cleaning Tips to Combat Water Stains
Dealing with hard water stains can be a drag. The longer you leave them, the worse they will get. Regular cleaning, whether done personally or through a cleaning service, is key.
The following simple bathroom cleaning tips will help to keep hard water stains at bay.
Keep the Shower Dry
Hard water stains cannot develop where there is no water. A simple squeegee and a few seconds are all that is needed each time you use the shower.
A dry microfiber cloth will also do the same job. If you want to be extra thorough, a combination of the two is best. The microfiber can get into all the nooks and crannies, and remove water that could drip down later.
Treat Hard Water Stains Quickly
The longer the stains hang around, the harder they are to completely remove. Keep a spray bottle of vinegar and water handy. Whenever you see a slight stain starting the develop, spritz it and wipe it.
Long-Term Solution: Water Softener
If you’re looking for a drastic option to do away with hard water stains, then the only sure-fire method is to stop the minerals from coming in. A water softener takes care of this for you.
A water softener removes calcium and magnesium ions from the water as it comes into your home. As the minerals are no longer coming in, they are not able to leave their pesky deposits. This is a costly option though and requires ongoing investment and maintenance.
In Milwaukee, which is only a moderately hard water area, this will probably be more than your home needs.
Get Help From the Cleaning Experts
It’s so hard to see your beautiful bathroom ravaged by water!. Hard water stains are unsightly and can be a real challenge to deal with. But follow our simple hacks and daily cleaning tips, and soon they’ll be a thing of the past.
If these hacks still fill you with dread, then never fear. Golden Maid is here to tackle those hard water stains – and all other household cleaning headaches. Our experienced team is standing by ready to give your home a spring clean. We also provide regular cleaning services to take the hassle out of housework.
Contact us today to see how we can be of service to you.