If you live in a region with hard water, then you likely have seen the spotty residue all over your glasses, dishes, and shower. To get rid of these annoying stains, it’s important to know what causes these issues. There are multiple ways to wipe away these stains, but investing in a water softener filter may be the best for long-term benefits.
Hard water stains can typically be seen on fixtures in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry, and anywhere else where you use water. Here’s a guide to removing hard water stains from any area in your home.
Why You Have Hard Water Stains
Also known hard water deposits, lime scale, mineral deposits, or hard water buildup, these hard water stains are difficult to remove!
There are multiple regions of the US that have hard water. In fact, it’s easier to point out the areas that have little to no hard water in the US, such as Maine, Vermont, Alabama, Oregon, and the Carolinas.
Most areas of Texas, Florida, the Southwest, and Midwest have very hard water. If you live in these areas, you probably notice ugly, stubborn water stains on your shower doors, glasses, and other fixtures. This is because the minerals in your water build up over time, thus resulting in these water deposits.
If you notice discoloration around your tub, washer machine, and kitchen sink, you probably have serious hard water. It can also cause faucets and showerheads to clog and slow down the flow of your water if you don’t clean out this buildup.
In addition, hard water leads to poor skin and hair health. If you have any kind of skin sensitivity, hard water deposits will exacerbate your symptoms even further, leading to extremely flakey, dry skin and brittle hair.
How to Remove Hard Water Stains
Most homes have the most trouble with hard water stains in the tub and shower. However, it can also get into other areas, such as your sinks and faucets. Here are a few methods to remove these stains by cleaning:
- White vinegar and plain water in a spray bottle work wonders to remove hard water stains from shower doors and bathtubs. Spray and let the solution sit on the water spots for 5 minutes, then wipe clean with a dry microfiber cloth. Note: Not for use on granite or marble.
- Try baking soda and vinegar solutions for more stubborn stains that won’t go away. You can rub the paste over water stains and let sit for at least 10 to 15 minutes. After waiting, scrub away and rinse with water.
- Get CLR PRO Bath Daily Cleaner, which is known for cutting through all calcium, lime, and rust deposits. This is the best option to clear out your showerheads and faucets from buildup.
Should You Get a Water Softener
One way to permanently stop hard water stains is to invest in a whole home water filtration system with a water softener add-on. These are the best systems for eliminating this limescale and mineral buildup over time.
One of the main benefits of these systems is that soft water goes straight to every water outlet in your home. You can shower with soft water, reducing skin problems, but you can also send clean, purified soft water to your appliances. This results in better laundry quality and removes hard water stains from your dishes.
Areas with hard water will continue to have problems with these stains, as well as a lower quality of skin and hair health. A water softener can not only remove these minerals from your water, but it’s the best defense against poor water quality if you live in a contaminated area. If you’re tired of cleaning hard water stains off your surfaces, then preventing them with a water softener is your best option.