Fill your sink or a bucket with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Optional: add baking soda for extra cleaning power. Soak the dishware in the mixture for about 15 to 30 minutes. After soaking, scrub the area with a soft sponge or microfiber cloth and rinse thoroughly.
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.
Mix Solution: Combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray: Spray the solution on the stained areas and let it sit for a few minutes. Wipe: Wipe off with a soft cloth. Repeat if necessary. Apply: Dampen a cloth with hydrogen peroxide and place it over the yellow stains.
Professional window cleaners like Window Genie are trained and experienced in this battle. Window Genie uses a polishing paste specifically designed to fight the minerals that create these stains. The paste is applied to a non-abrasive cleaning pad and the window is lightly scrubbed.
To effectively remove them, soak the affected area in white vinegar for 15-20 minutes, then scrub with a brush. Alternatively, apply baking soda paste. Commercial cleaners like CLR (Calcium Lime Rust Remover) or OxiClean Foam-Tastic are also highly effective—just follow the label instructions.
The acidity in white vinegar eats away at the mineral deposits. The trick is to let the vinegar sit on the hard water long enough to work its magic. 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).
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can work to remove tough hard water stains from your plumbing fixtures, bathtub, or shower. Spray a hydrogen peroxide solution onto the surface and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. After that, scrub the area with an old brush or sponge.
STEP ONE: WET YOUR MAGIC ERASER.
Water activates the tough micro-scrubbers, so they can dig deep and remove hard water stains from glass and the toughest soap scum, making cleaning shower glass easier than ever.
Translation: mixing vinegar and baking soda into a paste is a really great way to tackle particularly tough and stubborn hard water stains. If you find that vinegar alone isn't quite getting all the hard water spots out, make a vinegar and baking soda paste and scrub. Those stains never stood a chance.
Mix equal parts of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap. This should create a thick paste which will be used to break down the stain. Take a dollop of your paste and apply it directly to any stubborn yellow stains. Use gentle circular motions to work the mixture into the fibers.
Water stains may appear on fabric, walls, and carpets after water leaks or spills, and they're composed of dried mineral deposits like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The good news is that most of these stains can be removed with typical household cleaning products.
If CLR Grease & Oil Remover is left on a surface for too long it begins to dry and can be very difficult to remove.
Vinegar is a great natural cleaner for eliminating hard water build-up because its acidity breaks down the deposits, says Jennifer Parnell, co-founder of Humble Suds. Use it to remove any hard water stains on glass surfaces, like mirrors and shower doors. Mix a solution of 1 cup water and 1 cup vinegar.
Muriatic acid, which is also called hydrochloric acid, is some pretty heavy-duty stuff. It's a good CLR alternative, and it can clean up rust and limescale super fast - but you've got to be really careful with it because it's seriously corrosive.
If the test reveals you have hard water, then your best course of action will be to get a salt-based water softener. These machines remove calcium and magnesium minerals from water using a process known as ion exchange. The water throughout your home will no longer leave yellow stains as a result.
The main difference between CLR and vinegar is that CLR is stronger and better at removing mineral build ups like limescale. Vinegar is better at cleaning rust. It's also cheaper, versatile and safer than CLR.
Clean the grime off your tub, shower or tiles
You can also combine Dawn with vinegar for stronger cleaning power, especially when tackling hard water stains. Just combine them in a spray bottle, spray down your tub or shower and let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub it down.
Apply directly to the stain with a brush, cloth or sponge. After 2 minutes rinse promptly with cold water. Never leave Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover on an area for longer than two minutes. If the stain does not disappear, repeat this process and add more Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover solution as necessary.
Final Verdict. The best overall hard water stain remover is CLR Brilliant Bath Foaming Action Cleaner.
Don't Use Them On Your Car
Or any other delicate surface, for that matter, like silverware, glass, or metal surfaces. Dry erasers have the abrasiveness of a 3000 grit sandpaper – very fine, but can still mar shiny surfaces – like your stainless steel appliances!
Mix the Solution: Combine equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Vinegar's acidic nature makes it perfect for dissolving those tough mineral deposits that water leaves behind. Apply Generously: Spray the vinegar solution directly onto the glass with hard water stains.
Hard water stains won't come off with a basic glass cleaner, but luckily, pantry staples, like white vinegar and baking soda, will effectively remove the unsightly spots.
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.