How To Remove Hard Water Stains From Tile And Glass Surfaces

Living in a city with hard water, you have likely dealt with water stains and soap scum. While not necessarily complex, removing the mineral buildup from your shower, fixtures, or windows can be a hassle. 

Are you looking for an easy way to clean off mineral residue? Read on to learn how to remove hard water stains! 

Use distilled white vinegar

On top of being a kitchen staple, white vinegar is the preferred DIY cleaning product. It works exceptionally well for dealing with mineral buildup. However, since vinegar’s mineral-dissolving property makes it perfect for this task, you should avoid using it on materials such as marble.

Here’s how to remove hard water stains with vinegar:

1. Mix one part water and one part white vinegar in a spray bottle.
2. Spray the mixture on the stained area, whether it’s the window panes or the shower tiles. If it’s a vertical surface, place a towel at the bottom to avoid drips.
3. Let the mix sit on the surface for about 30 minutes.
4. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the stains. You can use a soft-bristle toothbrush to clean tiny stains or hard-to-reach corners.

Alternative to white vinegar: Squeeze some lemons

Not a fan of vinegar smell? You can use lemon juice to remove hard water stains. The steps are the same as the previous method but replace the mix with lemon juice. 

Make a baking soda paste

Another kitchen staple that also doubles as an excellent cleaner is baking soda. This versatile powder works as a gentle scrubber, so it can give the extra abrasive power you need to remove a tough stain.

Follow these steps to clean mineral buildup with baking soda:

1. Mix three parts baking soda and one part water in a small bowl. Add baking soda or water until you get a paste consistency. 
2. Use a microfiber cloth or small brush to apply the paste. Scrub the stained area in a circular motion. 
3. Let the paste sit for five minutes. Then, wipe the surfaces with a damp cloth. Repeat if the stain remains.

Bring hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar

Hydrogen peroxide alone works wonders as a cleaner but adding cream of tartar to make a paste will give you extra scrubbing power. Besides, you can use this mixture on some stone surfaces when vinegar is not an option!

1. Sprinkle cream of tartar in a small container and pour enough hydrogen peroxide to get a paste consistency.
2. Apply it to the stain and leave it sitting for about 30 minutes.
3. Scrub the stained area with a soft sponge or microfiber cloth.
4. You can rinse any residue with a damp cloth.

Scrub the stain off with fine steel wool

A risky method to remove even the most stubborn stains is scrubbing them off with steel wool. However, if you are not careful, you may scratch the glass or porcelain, so it’s better to leave this option as the last resource.

If you decide to go this route, get a #0000 steel wool and scrub the stain away.

Did you know that mineral stains harden over time?

Sometimes, cleaning mineral buildup might seem challenging, but that’s because mineral deposits stick and harden on the surface. However, if you wipe the surface early, the minerals will wash off easily. 

To prevent hard water stains from building up, wipe and dry windows, tiles, and other surfaces whenever they get soaked in tap water. 

Sweeping Hands can help you keep a clean home!

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