How To Get Rid Of Water Stains

Use Vinegar to Fight Hard Water Stains

May 29, 2017

If your home relies on hard water, you'll inevitably run into hard water stains. These stains are made up of minerals found in hard water, with some of the most common being lime, silica, and calcium. Tackling these stains as part of your house cleaning routine can seem difficult, but there's a simple and effective solution that's probably already sitting in your cupboard: white vinegar.

Vinegar is one of the most effective and versatile house cleaning products available, and it's perfect for removing hard water stains. So long as you also have rubber gloves, a spray bottle, a cloth, and a spare toothbrush, you'll have no trouble getting rid of the hard water stains in your home.

Follow these simple tips from the house cleaning pros at Maid Right® to quickly and effectively fight hard water stains around your house.

How to Clean Hard Water Stains

To clean hard water stains, you'll want to create a mixture of water and vinegar. Throw on a pair of rubber gloves and combine vinegar and water in a spray bottle, using a roughly 50:50 mixture. This mixture is safe to use anywhere in your home (though you should keep it away from hardwood surfaces, since the acid in the vinegar can damage hardwood finishes).

Simply spray the vinegar and water mixture anywhere you find hard water stains, then let it sit for 5-15 minutes. This gives the mixture a chance to break down the minerals in the stain. Once enough time has passed, use your toothbrush to scrub away the stain. You can also use a larger bristle brush or a non-scratch abrasive sponge in place of a toothbrush for larger stains. Once the stain has been completely scrubbed away, use a wet cloth to wipe the surface clean.

Cleaning Difficult Hard Water Stains

In some cases, the above method might not be enough to completely remove the stain. For stubborn and extensive hard water stains, there are four strategies you can use to get rid of the stain in question.

Use a stronger mixture of vinegar and water. Consider using a 75:25 mixture of vinegar and water, or purchase cleaning vinegar with a higher level of acidity.
Allow the vinegar mixture to sit on the stain for a longer period of time. Consider soaking a cloth in the vinegar mixture, then allow it to sit on the stain for 30 minutes or longer.
Add baking soda to some of your vinegar and water mixture in a small bowl, then apply the paste it creates to the stain with your scrubbing brush.
If all else fails, you can purchase a hard water stain remover from your local hardware store. Or invest in a soft water system and say so long to stains for good.

Need a hand removing hard water stains around your home? The house cleaning professionals at your local Maid Right today can help. Call (855) 624-3744 today for a free initial estimate.

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