The bathroom is that place in our home which we use every day to get rid of the dirt in our body and maintain a hygienic lifestyle. But if the bathroom itself is unclean, taking a shower or bathing in the tub comfortably becomes very tough. Sometimes, the shiny tub in our bathroom becomes stained, rusted, or shows spots that make it look filthy. Those are spots left behind by repeated contact of the bathtub surface with hard water. It’s important to get rid of hard water stains from a tub surround.

 What are Hard Water Stains? 

It is usual for the water to contain different minerals. However, when the quantity of certain dissolved minerals in water surpasses the optimum level, the water is known as hard water. The most common minerals responsible for making water hard are calcium, magnesium, lime, and silica. The presence of these ions in the water is the culprit behind those stains in your bathtub.

When you take a shower or bath, the residual water left on the tub evaporates and leaves these minerals. Slowly, the deposit of the minerals creates ring-like unwanted brown or whitish spots on the tub. These accumulated deposits are known as limescale, and they can be challenging to clean.

Hard water stains are most likely formed on porcelain, ceramic, tile, metal, or glass surfaces. Although it is not a health hazard, it prevents soap and shower gel from making a lather and thus reduces their effectiveness. So removing these stubborn spots is a must. But don’t worry, you don’t have to replace your bathtub. Keep reading to find out how to remove hard water stains from tub fixtures and surfaces.

 Ways To Remove Hard Water Stains From Your Bathtub 

There are several ways in which hard water stains can be removed. The easiest ones are mentioned below:

 Method 1: Using Vinegar 

For this method to work, you will need regular white vinegar. Any other vinegar you have at your home won’t remove limescale effectively. In our opinion, this is the best method we’ve found on how to remove hard water stains from tub surrounds.

 Remove Hard Water Stains With Light Stains 

Follow the steps down below to remove light stains quickly and effectively.

• First, take a spray bottle and fill half of it with water and the remaining half with white vinegar. Make sure that the bottle is clean and does not contain residues of any other chemical or liquid.
• Next, after thoroughly mixing the water with the vinegar, spray the solution on the spots you want to remove. Spray it carefully and ensure that no marks are left behind. As long as the surface you are using the solution is not wood, you can safely spray it anywhere.
•  Vinegar has a strong odor, so while spraying, you must make sure to open the bathroom windows or ventilators.
• After spraying, wipe the spots with a rag or towel until the hard water stains start to come off.
• Finally, use water to remove the spots altogether. Don’t forget to wipe the tub completely dry after doing so. Otherwise, the residue water will again form spots, and all your hard work will go to waste.
• Use a brush to clean the shower heads and the faucets. Soak it in vinegar and rub it on the tap. Finally, rinse the spots off and dry everything properly as before.
•  You can use the spray bottle solution to clean your toilet bowl as well.

 Remove Hard Water Stains with Tough Stains 

Not sure how to get rid of yellow stains in the bathtub? Tough stains might be hard to remove, but with a bit of elbow grease, you can remove them eventually. Keep reading.

• For this, you will need a few rags. First of all, soak the rags in a vinegar solution for quite some time.
• Next, put the rags over the stains and let them sit there for an hour or two. To prevent the rags from getting dry, you can spray vinegar on them after intervals of 15-20 minutes.
•  This is because the vinegar reacts with the minerals of the stain and the reactions occur faster and more effectively when you let the rag sit on the spots. This helps the more difficult spots to come off.
• When you see that the spots have slowly begun to fade away, use a wet sponge or a cleaning brush to remove them altogether. Then use a towel to dry the tub as leaving residue water may bring back the stain.

This method is the most effective and will work like magic if you follow the steps correctly.

 Method 2: Removing Hard Water Stains Using Vinegar And Baking Soda 

This method is almost the same as the previous one but uses baking soda as a catalyst to vigorously attack the stains. For this, the materials that you will require are a spray bottle, white vinegar, rags, baking soda, sponge or brush, and clean towels.

• Fill a spray bottle with a 50-50 solution of water and white vinegar. Spray it on the stains.
• Put soaked rags on tough stains and faucets. And leave it on the stains for some time.
• Next, take a brush or a sponge and soak it in vinegar. Then sprinkle baking soda on the soaked vinegar side. After doing so, apply the brush or the sponge on the entire tub and rub properly to get rid of each stain and mark.
•  You can also make a paste using vinegar and baking soda. Apply the paste on the spots and let it settle for 10-15 minutes.
• Finally, wash the bathtub with water to get rid of the vinegar and baking soda residue. Then use a cleaning towel to dry the tub.
• Make sure to not leave a single drop of water on the tub, as doing so will make the spots reappear.

 Method 3: Removing Hard Water Stains Using Lemon Juice 

Just like vinegar, lemon juice is an acidic substance containing Citric Acid. Therefore it reacts well with the minerals on the stains and helps to remove them.

• Take a spray bottle and mix water and lemon juice to prepare a solution.
• Spray the solution on the hard water stains and use a rag or a sponge to remove the stains.
• After the stains have come off, rinse the bathtub properly and then use a clean towel to make the surface completely dry.

 Method 4: Removing Hard Water Stains Using Flouride Toothpaste 

Flouride toothpaste is used to brush and clean teeth, but did you know that it can also be used to remove hard water stains from bathrooms effectively? Toothpaste works best on small metal fixtures and glass surfaces. It also works for dishware. If you still doubt, you can give it a try, and you will be amazed at the results.

 Method 5: Removing Hard Water Stains Using Hydrogen Peroxide and Cream of Tartar 

Ordinary hydrogen peroxide works wonders on stubborn soap scum and water stain combinations that accumulate on bathtubs and metal fixtures. For added cleaning power, make a paste using the cream of tartar, a type of baking powder, and apply it to the stained area. Let it stay there for 30 minutes, and scrub with a damp sponge to reveal the results of your efforts. I am sure you will like the result, so give it a try.

 Alternative: Using Hydrochloric Acid 

Hydrochloric Acid is a powerful acid, and using it undiluted can harm you. So use this only as your last resort but make sure it is adequately diluted. You can also purchase a cleaner from the market which contains hydrochloric Acid in it.

Wear gloves while using them, and make sure to open the windows to allow proper airflow and ventilation. This will prevent you from inhaling caustic fumes.

 Preventing Hard Water Stains On Your Bathtub 

Prevention is always better than cure. Therefore, always make sure that after taking a bath, the bathtub is left completely dry. To do so, use a mop and use it to dry the tub every time after use. Keep it near the tub so that finding it is easy. You can also use powdered or liquid water softeners. These are available in hardware markets and will solve the problem from the root.

Lastly, you can ask your plumber to install a water softener system on your shower and pipes to prevent water from hardening. This option is expensive but valuable if you want to get rid of hard water stains for good.

Here are other tips you can use to prevent hard water stains

Frequent care is quickly produced and requires proper care for it to function correctly and even last longer. The same approach applies to bathtubs. If you spare a little time each day to clean some of the frequently used parts of the bathtub, you will prevent dirt and other stains from building up in your bathtub. That will make it much cleaner all the time, and cleaning it will even be accessible.

 Invent in a home water softener 

Hard water is the primary cause of most stains on surfaces. In areas with hard water, investing in a water softener is the way to go. Soft water is always easy to use when washing and also helps save your soap and shampoo. Apart from that, it will help remove stain-causing minerals which will make your clothes appear cleaner. If you still suffer from the effects of using hard water in your home, you make a choice and try out water softener to help relieve you of more stress.

 Seal surfaces to prevent future hard water stains 

Sealing the surface is the best way to protect the characters in your house from getting stains. That is because it will prevent water from showers and tubs from getting into contact with the surfaces. A few times every year, you should consider adding a non-toxic cleaner such as BioClean Hard Water Stain Remover to your home care rotation. The non-toxic cleaner will help keep the surfaces clean by creating a seal to reduce future staining. That will give you an easy time cleaning because there will be less accumulation of stains. It will also help save your soap.

 A brush for every toilet 

Every toilet room is supposed to have a toilet brush. That will help keep them clean all the time by preventing the accumulation of stains. Once in a while, you need to squirt your favorite cleaner into the bowl, switch it around with the brush, and make sure it gets under the rim.

Also, bacteria can cause stains. Therefore, ensure that you spray the exterior of your toilet with a disinfecting surface cleaner and let it stay for ten minutes. That will kill 99.9% of the germs and will keep the surface sparkling clean.

 Spray surfaces daily 

Natural all-purpose cleaner is the best bathroom product to prevent water stains and soap scum from building on your walls. The product is best for non-porous surfaces such as marble, glass, and granite. It helps to wipe the surfaces easily and leaves no streaks and spots.

Using a clean, folded microfibre towel, apply a medium pressure to wipe in quick overlapping passes making a Z-like pattern.

 What Causes Pink Toilet Stains 

Pink toilet stains are the most common type of stains in toilets. Pink toilet stains in toilet bowls are usually caused by the bacteria Marcescens. These can easily be removed with a disinfecting surface cleaner. It is a hydrogen-peroxide-based disinfectant. Spray it on toilet stains, leave it for ten minutes, scrub with a toilet brush, and flush.

Yellow toilet stains usually give toilets a disgusting appearance, mainly white surfaces. You wouldn’t even want to visit a bathroom with such stains. To avoid all the discomfort caused by the stains, clean your toilet regularly with the disinfectant to keep it clean all the time.

 How to Keep dishes and Glasses Spot Free 

Every month, cleaning your dishwasher is the simplest way to keep soap and hard water from building up on your dishes. Here are some of the steps on how to clean your dishwasher.

• Remove the filter, removable baskets, and attachments.
• Dip an old toothbrush in a solution of warm water and few drops of puracy natural dish soap. Gently scrub the areas where food and dirt collect.
• Fill a cup with white vinegar and set it on the top rack of the dishwasher. Run it for one cycle or hot.
• Sprinkle baking soda along the bottom of the empty dishwasher and run it one more time.
• Once the dishwasher has completed the drying cycle, return the removable parts, and you are ready to go.

 Different Types of Hard Water Stain Removers on Different Surfaces 

 Hard water stain remover for unsealed tiles 

If you wonder how to remove hard water stains from tile in showers, walls, flooring, and countertops, you must have come across home remedies for cleaning baking soda and other such products. These products are not good enough for unsealed surfaces as they only remove stains from the top level. Only a heavy-duty deep-penetrating cleaner can seep into the pores and eliminate all the stains at the root level. That makes the surface sanitized and fresh.

The best hard water stain remover for unsealed tiles is imperia deep clean. It is a deep penetrating robust cleaner that enters the pores of the unsealed tile surface and removes the hidden stains at the root level. It also reveals a sparkling clean surface without causing any etching.

 Hard water stain remover for unsealed cultured marble  

Cultured marble is generally used in kitchen countertops, tubs, and sinks. It, therefore, needs an approved hard water stain remover to get rid of the hard water stains. Avoid using abrasive scrubs and acidic bathtub stain removers for cleaning the surface.

Benz is the incredible tile and grout cleaner for unsealed cultured marble. It eliminates all the hard water stains and etching, which leaves behind a sparkling surface.

 Hard water stain remover for sealed cultured marble 

Sealed cultured marble surfaces sealed with a top coat to make them water-resistant also tend to develop excessive stains. These stains can be removed using a maintenance product.

You can use either imperia maintenance or Valore maintenance for cleaning sealed cultured marble surfaces.

 Hard water stain remover for glass 

If you wonder which is the best water spot remover for glass surfaces, then there are many options available in the market that can easily confuse you. Home remedies such as baking soda and vinegar are some of the standard options as well. But these products are not very efficient, and they may also lead to etching. It would help if you had a heavy-duty hard water stain remover which is also shower glass approved. Shoer glass-approved products do not harm the surface and yet remove the stain efficiently. They not only remove the deep-etched stains but render a slight sheen.

Bonaz is the best hard water stain remover from glass surfaces. It thoroughly and effectively removes the stains and reveals a sparkling glass surface.

 Frequently Asked Questions 

 What causes hard water stains? 

Hard water stains are caused by an accumulation of calcium carbonate, a compound made of calcium and carbon left behind when it comes into contact with a surface and then evaporates, leaving the white mineral build-up behind.

 On what surfaces can I use Brite and Clean Ultimate Hard Water Stain Remover? 

Brite and Clean Ultimate Hard Water Stain Remover can be used on glass, porcelain, and granite surfaces. It may also be used on some chrome and stainless steel.

 Is Brite and Clean Ultimate Hard Water Stain Remover guaranteed to work? 

Yes, Brite and Clean ultimate hard water stain remover will work effectively to remove complex water stain accumulation, or you will be refunded the cost of the product if it fails to work for you. You will need to follow a unique set of instructions to remove the deep water stain damage.

 Will Brite and Clean Ultimate Hard Water Stain Remover work on plastics? 

No, Brite and Clean Ultimate Hard Water Stain Remover should not be used on plastic surfaces. Although it will remove the hard water stain, It may also cause micro-scratching of the plastic cover. The stain remover is only meant for characters other than plastics.

 Can I use Brite and Clean Ultimate Hard Water Stain Remover on my car’s paint job? 

No, Brite and Clean Ultimate Hard Water Stain Remover should not be used on painted surfaces. Although it will remove the hard water stain, It may also cause micro-scratching on the painted surfaces. This may make the paint fade on some parts and damage the appearance of your car.

 Can I use Brite and Clean Ultimate Hard Water Stain Remover on aquarium glass? 

Yes, Brite and Clean Ultimate Hard water stain remover is safe for use on aquarium glass. You should transfer your marine life into another container and empty the aquarium water. You are then supposed to follow the cleaning instructions, dry the glass, refill with new water and place your marine life back into their new clear glass home.

 Can I use Brite and Clean Ultimate Hard Water Stain Remover on toilet bowls? 

Yes, Brite and Clean Ultimate Hard Water Stain Remover will remove hard water stains from toilet bowls. You will need first to remove the water from the toilet bowl. Next, put on rubber gloves and begin scrubbing the bowl. If you don’t drain the bowl, you will dilute Brite and Clean Ultimate Hard Water Stain Remover too much, making it not as effective as required. 

 Conclusion 

Next time you see these unwanted spots on your bathtub, you can apply the methods prescribed in this article to get rid of them. They are straightforward to follow and will work wonders on your tub.

If you want to do away with hard water stains for good, you must install a water softener. This system removes minerals from the water before it travels through your pipes, preventing hard water stains, so your plumbing fixtures look sparkling clean all the time. It also helps avoid common challenging water problems such as clogged faucets and showerheads, poor water heater performance, and irritated skin.