Water is a natural solvent. Given the needed time and conditions, it will dissolve anything it comes in contact with. Depending on where you live, your water can contain iron or manganese, which can cause rusty-orange or black stains. Your water can have a low pH value, which can cause blue stains or green stains.
If the “stains” are orange or look like rust, then they probably are from iron in the water. These will need to be treated with a commercial rust remover. However, if the stains are from hard water, then just plain old white or apple-cider vinegar should work.
If your washing machine is older, there could be rust on the inside of the washer. That rust can transfer to your laundry, especially if wet clothing isn't removed immediately after the rinse cycle. This can happen whether or not you use bleach to wash your laundry.
Orange or reddish stains are caused by high iron in the water. You will likely notice these red hard water stains around your faucet or the waterline of your toilet.
Hard Water Stains Look Like White Scale Buildup
If you have ever seen calcium or magnesium in their solid states, you will know that they are white. This white color can be left behind after the water evaporates, causing the white scale to form.
Hard water stains appear as chalky white residue that results from buildup of excess minerals present in hard water. You might have noticed these unsightly hard water stains building up on your shower doors, faucets, showerheads, and other places where water is used throughout your home.
Simply put, the more exposed iron is to oxygen, the darker the color it turns. Rust can also form in the drum of your washing machine and stain your clothes as well, making some white fabrics (usually cotton) appear slightly yellow or orange after being washed.
Your household water supply might contain high levels of iron, which combine with leftover soap scum to form a rusty orange deposit on plumbing fixtures, tubs and sinks.
One of the main causes of orange stains in showers is iron in the water. If your water supply contains high levels of iron, it can react with the oxygen in the air and create orange rust stains.
Iron and Magnesium in Water
The iron and magnesium combine with soap scum left in the tub from showering. Together they form a kind of rusty-orange deposit on your tubs and plumbing fixtures, especially as the iron in the water is exposed to air and oxidizes.
Orange and Brown Stains on Towels
Those brown or orange stains are probably not rust. They are usually caused by make-up, acne medicine, sunscreen, or self-tanners, especially on beach towels.
Chromhidrosis is a rare sweat gland disorder that produces pigmented sweat. The etiology of this disorder often is unknown and the clinical presentation can vary. We describe a previously asymptomatic patient who presented with bronz- ing of the skin and complained of orange stains on her clothing.
Salt and Lemon Juice
Sprinkle salt on the rust stain, pour lemon juice on the salt, and then lay the garment flat to dry. If it's a sunny day, let your clothing dry in the sun to speed up the stain removal process. If the stain remains, repeat the process.
These hard water stains are not permanent; however, if they're allowed to build up over time, you could end up with layers of scale in your bathroom plumbing or around the valves of your dishwasher which could lead to costly repairs down the line.
She notes that hard water can also contribute to stiff or rough-feeling fabrics, colors that appear faded, and dingy whites (including those yellow underarm stains).
If dealing with coloured clothing, you may not be able to see any traces of the orange stain at all, while white clothing may show a small amount of discolouration, but don't worry – this will easily be removed during the washing stage. Pop your clothing into the machine with good laundry detergent, and wash as usual.
Lay paper towels on the hard water and soak them with vinegar. Let the vinegar work on the stains for two hours. Remove the paper towels, rinse, and check to see if the stains are still visible. Use a baking soda and water paste to tackle stubborn stains and rinse again.
Water looks clear with high concentrations of manganese, but when it comes in contact with oxygen or oxidants, the stains appear. Too much iron. High concentrations of iron in the water produce red or rust stains on fixtures and clothing.
Add some dish soap to a container with water, and shake it. If the solution does not produce a lot of suds (foam), you likely have a hard water problem.
At least one day a week, spray surfaces with the vinegar or lemon juice solution before you see signs of staining. Let the solution work for a few minutes and wipe clean. Treat your toilet with vinegar at least once a month. These preventative measures will help you keep your home looking its best.
Yellowing sheets are primarily due to body sweat and oils, including lotions we put on to rejuvenate our skin overnight, according to textile engineer Vikki Martin, vice president of fiber competition for Cotton Incorporated.
Having tried summer after summer to remove sunscreen stains from bathing suits and other summer clothes, I was sure they were ruined. In the past, I've tried Oxiclean. Don't use it! The chemicals in Oxiclean react with the avobenzone in sunscreen and make the stain orange and impossible to remove.
If your water is discolored, it's another sign that there could be too much iron in it. If you notice that your water is red, brown, or yellow, have it tested. Discoloration is one of the most common signs of iron or other metals in water.
Hard water prevents water from mixing with detergent to form an effective cleaning agent. The calcium minerals bond with the soap to create a detergent curd that sticks to the fabric fibers, drawing in more dirt than before you washed your clothes.