Hard water. It is great for things like showers and washing your hands and many say it even tastes better than some soft waters. However, it does have its downsides. Hard water can stain just about every surface it touches and can add hours to your regular bathroom and kitchen cleaning routines. These stains or deposits are the result of excess calcium and magnesium found in the average home’s tap water. Once it evaporates, it leaves behind these mineral deposits which stain and look terrible. It can definitely make life a little bit harder, but for many of us, the benefits outweigh the inconveniences. Let’s explore some ways that you can save time and money while cleaning up hard water stains from your home. 

The Toothpaste Solution

Toothpaste comes in many shapes, sizes, and flavors. They all help with keeping our teeth and gums clean and healthy, but did you know that some toothpastes can also help with cleaning small areas around the bathroom as well? Fluoride toothpastes (especially the ones with baking soda already in them) make excellent spot cleaners for taking care of entrenched hard water stains. How To: Using a small bowl and old scrub brush (it can be an old toothbrush as well) mix about a tablespoon of toothpaste with a teaspoon of white vinegar. Apply the mixture to your sink fixture with the brush and let stand for about 10 minutes. Wash off with a clean cloth or paper towels and you should be golden! Repeat as necessary. 

Vinegar, Hard Water’s Worst Enemy

Since hard water stains are pretty much just mineral deposits, it just so happens that vinegar’s acidic properties are excellent at dissolving and unseating hard water stains. For small areas, you can spray on pure white vinegar in a spray bottle until the area is completely coated. Let that stand for about 15 minutes and then wipe clean with a damp towel or cloth. For larger areas like glass shower doors or mirrors or windows, you can take paper towel sheets and soak them in straight white vinegar (no diluting necessary) and carefully apply the paper towels to the vertical surface in question. Let those sit for about 15 to 20 minutes or until you notice the stains loosening and dissolving. Remove the sheets and scrub down the surface with a good brush and then pat dry. You should have squeaky clean surfaces again! Make sure to do it in a well ventilated area and do not mix with any other cleaners like bleach or ammonia. 

Lemon Fresh, Lemon Strong

Lemons, not just for cocktail garnishes anymore! That’s right. Lemons are handy in the barroom as well as the bathroom. To make your own powerful stain fighting product, simply mix the juice of two fresh squeezed lemons with a cup of distilled water (or filtered water) and two tablespoons of white vinegar. Mix the ingredients and place into a small spray bottle or keep in a small cleaning bucket. You can spray the great smelling mixture onto your surfaces affected by hard water and then scrub off with a stiff brush. You can also let it set for a few minutes before scrubbing off as well for more stuck on tough stains. 

In Conclusion

Hard water doesn’t have to mean a hard life. You can keep your home looking spotless (literally!) with these tips and a little elbow grease. Let us know what you think or if you have any additional tips of your own for tackling tough to clean situations like this. Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have fun and stay safe out there!