No matter how often you clean, if you find white or cloudy spots on your seat and shower, chances are you have hard water that leaves behind mineral deposits. These hard water stains not only leave behind unsightly residue, but can also slow down the actionclog drains. Knowing how to remove hard water stains quickly and easily will reduce the effort needed to remove limescale stains and help prevent buildup so your showers and faucets can flow freely.
Here you knowGood Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we test hundreds of products throughout the year to find thembest cleaning products. We also find the best methods to keep your home sparkling clean, including removing hard water stains. And since nothing is worse than cleaning your crystal only to get the stains back, we've rounded up our best tips and methods for removing stubborn water stains from all surfaces in your home.
What is hard water and what causes it?
When water contains high levels of minerals such as magnesium, calcium and iron, it is considered "hard".These unsightly hard water stains form when hard water droplets dry and leave behind mineral deposits. These spots are usually chalky white, but can also be brown or rust-colored, depending on the minerals in the water.
The best ways to remove hard water stains
There are several methods and cleaning products you can use to easily remove hard water stains and grime. Depending on the surface, you can use vinegar, a combination of baking soda and vinegar, or cleaners specifically designed to remove hard water stains.
Tools and materials
Heinz distilled white vinegar
Skrubbebobler Power Stain Destroyer
Powerstone Pumice Toilet Bowl Cleaner
How to remove hard water stains from glass
To remove hard water stains from drinking glasses, use a container large enough to submerge your glass in vinegar.
- Heat the vinegar:Heat some white vinegar in the microwave until warm and pour it into the container.
- Never mind:Soak the glasses in the vinegar for 10 minutes, turning them to coat all sides.
- Add baking powder:After 10 minutes, remove the glasses and sprinkle a generous amount over themsodium carbonatedirectly on the glass.
- Wash down:Gently rub the baking soda with your fingers to remove the stains, rinse and wipe dry.
How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Shower Walls and Bathtubs
To clean your shower and tub, grab a spray bottle andMix equal parts water and vinegar. Spray the solution onto the affected surfaces, let it sit for at least 15 minutes and then wipe it off.
How to remove hard water stains from shower heads
If your shower spray no longer feels as strong, it could be a sign that the minerals in hard water are stuck in your shower head and nozzle. Nastyclean your shower head,Dip a toothbrush in white vinegar and scrubthe water jets, wipe it off and turn on the nozzles to blow out the clogging minerals. (Although you can soak the showerhead in vinegar, keep in mind that this may damage some finishes.)
How to remove hard water stains from sinks
Get your chrome sinks looking polished again by using a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar.
- Wrap the fixture:Dip a cloth in the mixture, wrap it around the stained item and leave it for up to 10 minutes.
- Scrubbing and rinsing:After letting it sit, scrub it, rinse it and brush it dry. Repeat if necessary.
- Soak the aerator:If your sink has an aerator (a removable screen), unscrew it, soak it in vinegar and scrub with a toothbrush to remove mineral buildup.
How to Remove Hard Water Stains from the Toilet
The easiest way to get rid of nasty residue is to do thisthe usetoiletrensspecially made for removing hard water stains, like itSkrubbebobler Power Stain Destroyer. Simply apply the product around the inside of the toilet bowl, let it sit for 15 minutes and scrub your way to a sparkling bowl. In our cleaning lab tests, we found this product easy to use thanks to the curved neck bottle. If hard water builds up, a second application may be necessary.
If you prefer to use items that may already be in your home, aDIY cleaning solutionVinegar and baking soda are a good alternative:
Vinegar and baking soda method
- Pour vinegar into:Measure out a cup of vinegar and pour it around the inside of the toilet bowl. Make sure to cover the hard water stains with the vinegar. Swish it around with a toilet brush and let it sit for a minute.
- Add baking soda and more vinegar:After letting the vinegar sit, sprinkle a cup of baking soda around the toilet bowl and add another cup of vinegar over the baking soda. The mixture should be bubbly. Let this sit for about 10 minutes.
- Rinse solution and let sit:Use a toilet brush to flush the solution down the toilet, making sure to cover any stains, and let the solution sit for up to 30 minutes. Swirl the solution around the bowl a few times to make sure you remove the stains.
- Scrub:If there are still stains after 30 minutes, use the toilet brush to scrub them away.
- Rinse and repeat:Flush the toilet and repeat as necessary for stubborn stains.
Toilet cleaning stone method
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, hard water remains in a toilet, especially along the waterline. For these hard-to-remove stains, try a toilet cleaning stone such asPowerstone Pumice Toilet Bowl Cleaner. Made from crushed and compressed glass, these stones scrub away deposits without damaging the porcelain fixtures. Then you simply moisten the stone and the bowlGently scrub the row of hard water deposits to loosen them and wipe them away. The stones can be used again and again and wear out gradually over time.
Frequently asked questions about hard water stains
Are hard water stains permanent?
Hard water stainsbe able tobecome permanent if left for too long. It is best to remove hard water stains as soon as they appear. It may be tempting to leave a mild stain until cleaning day, but the longer the stain sits, the harder it is to remove.
Can vinegar remove hard water stains?
Yes, one of the best ways to remove hard water stains is with an ingredient you probably already have in your pantry: vinegar. This cabinet staple can remove stains from glasses, polish faucets, chrome fixtures and sand.shower head.
Does CLR remove hard water stains?
Yes, for stubborn hard water stains on shower walls and tiles, bathtubs, sinks or faucets that require more scrubbing power, you may need to use something stronger than vinegar, such asCLR Brilliant Bath Cleaner, a top tested product that has aAward for good household cleaning 2020. CLR works to dissolve the mineral deposits that cause hard water stains.
How to prevent hard water stains
To prevent these cloudy stains from happening in the first place, Carolyn Forte, CEO of Home Care & Cleaning Lab, says, "It's important tokeep fixtures dry. Wipe all wet surfaces such as glassware, faucets, sinks and shower doors with a soft cloth."Maker's pure waffle weave cloth, who won oneAward for good household cleaning 2020due to its softness and ability to absorb water. Drying excess water prevents it from drying on surfaces and leaving minerals behind. As for your toilet, it helps to clean the bowl regularly (although hard water stains can still occur even with frequent cleaning).
If wiping down fixtures and frequent cleaning is too much of a chore, the easiest way to prevent hard water stains from appearing throughout your home is to solve the problem altogether by consulting a plumber for a whole-house installation .softener,Which requires professional installation of your home's water pipes.Most fabric softeners work with salt (which must be replenished) to filter the water and remove the calcium and magnesium minerals, preventing the stains from occurring in the first place.
Jamie Kim
Contributing writer and analyst
Jamie Kim is a consumer products expert with more than 17 years of experience in product development and manufacturing. She has held leadership positions at both mid-market consumer goods companies and one of the most notable and largest apparel brands in the world. Jamie has contributed to several of the GH Institute Labs, including kitchen appliances, media and technology, textiles and home appliances. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, traveling and exercising.
