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. Even if the water is clear when it first comes out of your faucet, it may turn orange upon exposure to air (oxidation).
Iron is one of the most common contaminants in tap water, second only to hard water minerals and chlorine. It's not always immediately obvious, as water containing iron can appear clear until introduced to the air, where it oxidizes and changes to a reddish-brown or rusty orange color.
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. This is especially common in older homes with outdated plumbing systems.
The answer
This is likely from iron or manganese, two elements that are common contaminants in water. In general, they are not hazardous to health but can result in an offensive taste or appearance, including orange or reddish stains in sinks. Iron is abundant in nature and in groundwater.
Lemon Juice and Water
Squeeze fresh lemons into a spray bottle then spray all the orange stains in your bathtub, being sure to fully coat the area. Allow the solution to sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. Repeat as necessary.
Although a low level of iron cannot harm your health, it contains bacteria. In addition to this, high iron in water content leads to an overload which can cause diabetes, hemochromatosis, stomach problems, and nausea. It can also damage the liver, pancreas, and heart.
The discoloration comes from a biofilm— also known as a bacterial colony—of Serratia Marcescens. The airborne bacterial species thrives in moist environments like showers, where it feeds on mineral deposits in soap scum and fatty deposits in soap and shampoo residue.
Orange water stains can be eliminated with a water softener or treatment system. These systems use salt to reduce the amount of calcium and magnesium in your water, which allows you to clean with less soap and avoid those pesky orange stains.
Orange mold also has a tendency to develop in a bathroom or a shower of a home with highly acidic or hard water with a high amount of dissolved mineral content.
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.
Orange stains in your shower are likely hard water stains caused by excess minerals like magnesium and iron in your water. Even if your water appears clear, the minerals will oxidize with air and stick to soap scum in the shower. They are not harmful to your health but can be unsightly.
You may be able to get rid of pink or orange scum by simply pouring on some soda water, then brushing the grout with an old, damp toothbrush. The bubbly water helps eject the bacteria. For even more cleaning power, you could use hydrogen peroxide in the 3 percent concentration.
This is more than likely due to limescale build up. Limescale in some parts of the country can manifest itself as a red / brown deposit due to minerals naturally occurring in the water or on rareoccasions sediment from the water supplypipes.
Limescale is not a hazardous substance, but it can look unsightly. It can also interfere with the performance of your taps, pipes and showerheads, leading to blockages and reduced water pressure over time.
Cause: Typically orange or reddish staining is caused by high contents of iron, which is most common in well water systems. These stains are typically found inside the home around sinks, tub drains, and toilets, and outside wherever irrigation is directed.
Soap scum is commonly a whitish color, but can also appear as an orange, yellow, or gray film in your shower area. This waxy film will continue to build up over time, and can harbor mold and mildew, so removing soap scum regularly will make it easier to manage and prevent additional issues.
When mysterious orange spots appear on your shirts, pants or towels after washing, it's probably due to rust. These stains should be removed with a rust remover product, a strong acid available at hardware stores.
When iron bacteria (Sphaerotilus-Leptothrix) “feed” on iron in water, the dissolved iron reacts with oxygen in the air and forms rust-colored iron oxides. These deposits can be found in lakes and streams and often occur on hot, dry days when the water is sluggish. You may notice an unpleasant odor.
The pink residue often found on your shower floor, covering your grout, near the toilet water line and hanging on the bottom of the shower curtain is actually a type of airborne bacteria called Serratia marcescens.
Contrary to what you might think, orange mould isn't just one species of mould. It's a general term used to describe any mould type that appears orange throughout its lifespan. Some of the most common orange mould species include Acremonium, Fuligo Septica and Trichia Varia.
If you bathe with water containing high iron levels, you risk developing acne and other troublesome skin conditions.
Brita pitcher filters are not certified to reduce iron in drinking water, but they are certified to reduce certain other heavy metals like lead and mercury, and activated carbon technology has been proven to reduce iron in drinking water. Brita pitcher filters used for rusty water may have shorter filter lives.