Rust and buildup form due to the high amounts of iron, calcium and magnesium found in hard water areas. The constant contact of these materials may cause severe damage, and the longer the iron and other minerals build up the worse the damage to appliances, sinks, and tubs.
The iron in hard water can cause rust-colored stains to appear in your toilet bowls, sinks, and other fixtures. The reason these stains look like rust is typically because the sediments causing the stains are from the insides of rusty pipes.
If you have a buildup of iron or other minerals in your water supply, you may notice no matter how often you clean your sinks or toilets, you still accumulate reddish/brownish rings around your drain or toilet bowl. These stains are caused by large amounts of iron in your water.
Baking Soda: This versatile powder can be mixed with water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the stain, and let it set for at least half an hour before gently scrubbing with a slightly abrasive pad. This should affectively remove any rust and mineral buildup.
Hard water stains are known by many names – limescale, mineral deposits, mineral buildup, hard water deposits – but the meaning is the same. Hard water stains appear as chalky white residue that results from buildup of excess minerals present in hard water.
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.
When hard water evaporates, a mineral residue is left behind, causing a stain. While these stains can require a considerable amount of elbow grease, they're not permanent. In fact, there are several methods for removing them.
Does CLR get rid of hard water stains? Yes, for stubborn hard water stains on shower walls and tiles, bathtubs, sinks or faucets that need more scrubbing power, you may have to use something stronger than vinegar, like CLR Brilliant Bath Cleaner, a top-tested product that won a 2020 Good Housekeeping Cleaning Award.
“I wanted to let you know we tried CLR on our horrible rust/hard water stains in the toilet. We have hard water and for years have been plagued with icky looking rings. With scrubbing, our toilets are now white and no other product has been able to do that.
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.
You should also avoid using heat on the fabric, whether from the clothes dryer or an iron. This will stabilize the rust stains and make them impossible to remove. In some cases, rust stains on clothes may be permanent no matter what you do—but it's always worth a try.
Public water systems must test for primary contaminants. The EPA doesn't force testing for secondary pollutants. This means rusty water may find its way into your home water supply, but bathing in rusty water isn't dangerous.
If you've tried everything and still can't get rid of those rust stains, we have a solution for you. No more coke tricks, no more scrubbing with lemon or baking soda, no more vinegar soaks, there is a much simpler way. Install a whole home water softener, which doesn't only reduce rust, but eliminates it.
Mix half water and half white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the entire sink or tub until it's saturated. Let the vinegar and water work on the hard water stains for 20 minutes. Respray the stained areas and scrub them with an old toothbrush.
You can effectively combat this by treating your water using alkaline materials such as magnesium oxide or neutralizing agents like calcium carbonate.
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.
CLR or Lime Away? An acid-based cleaner is the best way to remove water deposits. Vinegar and lemon juice are two natural alternatives, but they just don't work as quickly and effectively. CLR uses similar ingredients to Lime Away.
Dilute Vinegar: Mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Shake well to combine. Spray the Affected Area: Spray the vinegar solution onto the hard water stains and let it sit for a few minutes. The vinegar will dissolve the mineral deposits and stains.
We recommend not leaving CLR on a surface for longer than two minutes. Always ensure that the CLR is rinsed off thoroughly after use.
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.