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.
White Vinegar works wonders on hard water stains. I use it for showers, old fish tanks, etc. Spray it on a few times over 30 minutes or so, then use a brush attachment for a drill to make the scrubbing easier.
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.
Since hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is typically sold over the counter at only 3% concentration and can be effective against some mild hard water stains…
Mix 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide with two cups cool water. “It will solve almost all tough stains,” says Leverette, who advises against using acidic cleaners like vinegar or lemon juice, which can etch the stone.
Calcified hard-water stains, or limescale, can be particularly stubborn. 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.
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).
So, which one should you go for? It really depends on what kind of cleaning you need to do. If you're dealing with really tough, built-up mineral deposits, especially in your bathroom or kitchen, CLR might be the way to go. It's strong enough to handle stains that vinegar might struggle with.
HG limescale remover concentrate is the ideal strong limescale remover for removing stubborn limescale. This heavy duty limescale remover also removes rust and urine stains as well as verdigris.
Murphy Oil Soap can also be used. Be sure to follow the instructions on the container and spray the product on a damp cloth and then to gently wipe the finish to remove the build up. It may require several applications.
“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. Thanks.”
Oil-based products
Products like petroleum jelly and mayonnaise are also great at removing water stains in wood.
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.
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.
OxiClean™ Bathroom Cleaner is non-abrasive, so it can remove hard water buildup and stains and clean soap scum on toilet bowl exterior surfaces or in your glazed porcelain tub without damaging the surface when used as directed.
Customers say the Zep Calcium, Lime, and Rust Stain Remover is an effective and cost-efficient alternative to more expensive brands like CLR. Many users appreciate its ability to tackle tough stains, particularly in toilets and on various surfaces affected by hard water.
Remove Hard Water Stains with Oxalic Acid
Mix one part of oxalic acid powder/liquid with six parts of warm water. Apply the solution to the affected area and wait until its dissolves the deposits. Wash thoroughly with water afterwards, ensuring no traces of the acid remain.
CLR is corrosive. Avoid contact with wood, clothing, wallpaper and carpeting. Some laminated surfaces (counter tops) are coated with a synthetic surface which may be affected by rust removers; clean spills immediately.
Dish soap, known for its grease-fighting properties, pairs excellently with vinegar, which acts as a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. This blend not only targets stubborn stains and buildup but also leaves surfaces sanitized and fresh.
White Vinegar and Water
Let the solution break down the stains for 15 minutes. Scrub the surface with a soft, damp (non-abrasive) sponge. Remove the soapy residue with a damp cloth, then buff the surface with a dry microfiber cloth.
We prefer distilled white vinegar as our cleaning condiment of choice because it doesn't have any coloring agents that might stain surfaces (Stay away from balsamic or red vinegar). We also like white vinegar because it only has about 5 percent acidity, so it's on-par with other common cleaning products.
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.
White vinegar
This home staple is a versatile multi-purpose cleaner and is great for many surfaces, including the exterior of your car and upholstery. While white vinegar is acidic, when diluted it won't damage your car paint – just avoid using it regularly and only when there is dirt that just won't budge.