Use Dawn and some hot water and a cloth or sponge to get into those nooks and crannies where grime and scale tend to build up. You can also combine Dawn with vinegar for stronger cleaning power, especially when tackling hard water stains.
Grab a spray bottle and mix equal parts water and vinegar (you can also add a teaspoon of Dawn dish soap for more clinging power). Spray the solution on the bathtub stains, let it sit for at least 15 minutes, then wipe clean. Let the solution sit longer depending on the severity of the stains.
You'll know it's hard water deposits if it has a chalky white film covering the tiles. For hard water, grab the same vinegar and Dawn® dish soap solution and spray any tile covered in hard water. Let it soak for a few minutes and grab a scrub brush. We recommend a large and small brush.
For a tried and true cleaner to tackle hard water stains, we recommend Bio-Clean Hard Water Stain Remover. It's easy to use, efficient, and it smells pleasant, too. For a more budget-friendly but still effective pick, check out CLR Multi-Use Calcium, Lime & Rust Remover.
Use Vinegar & Baking Soda
This process can be used on sink or shower drains. White vinegar is a natural solution that can be utilized to dissolve calcium buildup.
Mix equal parts lemon juice and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar and lemon juice stain remover on the stain. Let the cleaning solution work on the stain for about five minutes. Use a microfiber cloth to rub the stained area until the stain is gone.
Vinegar. Vinegar is a safe, all-natural household cleaner with the amazing ability to combat hard water stains. Pour some in a spray bottle and squirt any surface where you find hard water stains. Let it sit for five to 15 minutes to give the vinegar time to break down the minerals in the chalky, white stain.
“Vinegar is a good cleaner because it's acidic, but when you add dishwashing liquid/dish soap to it (which is a base or neutral) - you neutralise the vinegar. You take away the very thing that makes it work well. “The dishwashing liquid works that well on its own. Adding the vinegar is a pointless step.”
As for using Blue Dawn as a body wash, it was great. I felt so clean! I didn't notice any difference from other body washes, other than it required a lot of rinsing, possibly due to the high concentration in the “Ultra” version of Blue Dawn.
As it turns out, you can actually unclog a toilet with dish soap instead of turning to a harsh, toxic bowl cleaner. Just as natural dish soap helps break down dirt, grease, and food that may be stuck on dishes and utensils, it can help break down what's in your toilet bowl.
For really tough hard water stains, try scrubbing with some hydrogen peroxide. Yep, the same stuff you have in your first aid kit. Hydrogen peroxide plus some elbow grease should banish even the most stubborn of hard water spots from your metal fixtures.
Removing Hard Water Deposits From Faucets
Use vinegar to help loosen the hard water film and buildup before scrubbing. Soak a clean rag in vinegar and drape it over the faucet, making sure there is direct contact with all of the hard water deposits. Let the rag sit for at least 30 minutes; an hour is better.
A paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide cuts through soap scum and hard water stains on tubs and tiles.
Removing hard water spots.
It's so annoying when your hard water leaves unsightly spots on your shower door or dishes, or porcelain, tile and metal surfaces. But spritz a little WD-40 on those spots, and you'll be able to easily wipe them away.
Regular glass cleaner won't help at all. We tried both Windex-style ammonia-based window cleaner, and also vinegar-based auto glass cleaner and found that neither has any effect on the stains.
Use Distilled White Vinegar and Baking Soda Paste
If vinegar alone did not remove the spots caused by hard water, add baking soda as a gentle abrasive. This paste also works well on water-spotted drinking glasses and other glassware.
How do you clean a badly stained toilet? White vinegar is a good remedy to clean stubborn toilet stains. Pour a 120ml bottle of white vinegar into the toilet bowl and put down the lid. Don't use or flush the toilet for eight or so hours, then use a toilet brush to scrub.
White Vinegar, Baking Soda & Lemon
It's also helpful when addressing hard water stains or calcium buildup. Use a spray bottle or cloth damp with vinegar to wet the area. An old toothbrush can also be used to scrub in the hard-to-reach places for a better, cleaner faucet.