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).
Orange/Red Water Stains
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.
Why the tub turned red: The bathtub is an old porcelain with a ferrous (iron) component. The chlorine element in a classic chlorine-based bleach oxidizes the iron from the porcelain. Oxidized iron is rust, hence the rusty red color.
While most orange mould species are harmless, others like Acremonium are classified as a 'toxic mould' and may be a hazard to your health. Inhaling the mycotoxin spores of toxic mould is particularly dangerous for those with weak immune systems.
An easy, safe DIY cleaner and bleach alternative for your bathtub is to mix lemon juice with some warm 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.
The best product I've found to remove rust (the orange stains) or calcium from a shower or tub is Extra strength scrubbing bubbles. Don't get the spray can, but the trigger spray bottle. Spray it on, leave it sit for a few minutes, then take a scrub brush to it and rinse it off.
We would recommend using a solution of white vinegar and water to initially soak your bath. The natural acidity in the vinegar helps to dissolve soap scum and limescale, the normal residues you'll find in a bath. Follow this up by sprinkling baking soda and then spraying your white vinegar/water solution.
Rust not only can be unattractive, but it can also be a health hazard as well. Rust, if not properly treated, can expose a person to high levels of lead. This is especially a concern because bathtubs are an item we use every day.
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.
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.
Sponge (the method of using a dampened pad to apply light strokes, moving outward from the center of the stain) area with cool water, then apply a wet spotter and a few drops of white vinegar. Cover stain with an absorbent pad dampened with wet spotter. Let stand as long as any stain is being removed.
Answer. Well water with very high iron and sodium hypochlorite bleach are just not very compatible. The bleach active reacts with the iron and changes it to the chemical form as rust. This new yellow/red discoloration then deposits on clothes, causing discoloration.
If you're wondering if rusty-colored water is safe to bathe in, the answer is usually yes. A slight discoloration in water does not indicate a health risk.
Orange stains can either mean mold or iron in the water that is discoloring your grout.
Equally combine warm water, ammonia and baking soda into a bucket. For tough stains, first cover them throughout the tub with salt and lemon juice, then allow it to sit for up to 1 hour. Scrub the salt and lemon juice into the stain. Dip a cloth or soft sponge into the bucket and scrub the tub thoroughly.
The minerals bond to the surface of the tub and begin to build up over time, causing it to turn yellowish-brown. A rusting tub can also produce an unpleasant, pungent odor. The most common way to prevent or remove mineral buildup in a bathtub is to use a water softener.
Make a paste of one part hydrogen peroxide and two parts baking soda. Use a sponge to scrub the stubborn spots with baking soda and peroxide. Let the paste work on the bathtub stains for an hour. Rinse the bathtub with hot water.
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.
If your fiberglass shower is especially grimy, prewash it with several drops of dish soap, like Dawn, mixed with 2 cups of warm water prior to applying your vinegar wash. Fill a bucket with vinegar. Apply vinegar to the fiberglass shower by soaking a rag or sponge in the solution and wiping it directly onto the doors.
Steps For An Expert Clean
Add ½ cup of Pine-Sol® to the water. Dip a sponge or scrubber into the bathtub and wipe down the tub and faucets. For cleaning stubborn rings around the bathtub, drain the water and apply full-strength Pine-Sol® directly. Scrub down with a scrubbing brush and rinse with water.
Acremonium describes a broad genus of mold species such as Acremonium Strictum. Colonies are often thin or slightly mounded with a slimy surface. It typically presents with a rusted orange coloring.
Aleuria Aurantia – this fungus is easily identified by its orange peel-like appearance. Sometimes it is even called orange peel fungus. It is widespread and is a brilliant orange color. It appears cup or saucer-shaped, looking like a piece of a discarded orange peel.
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.