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We have all seen them in sinks, tubs and toilets-ugly calcium deposits and water stains. Where do they come from? The answer is they come from the rain.
You may recall learning about the Water Cycle in grade school. Water evaporates from the earth's surface and forms clouds. When the temperature conditions are right, it condenses and falls as rain absorbing some carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This makes the rainwater slightly acidic. As a result, when it hits the ground and permeates through the soil and rock, it dissolves and absorbs minute amounts of various minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron. This is how water becomes "hard."
This hard water eventually finds its way into your municipal water system where it is treated for a variety of potential biological hazards. This water treatment process, however, does not remove these dissolved minerals. As you use water in your sink, tub and toilet, over time there is a build up of mineral residue. These appear as white or rust-colored stains on your bathroom fixtures.
There are a number of options for eradicating these hard water stains. There are several commercial products available such as CLR or Lime Away that claim to remove them effectively.
Then there are the home remedies such as soaking the stained tap or faucet in vinegar or a mixture of vinegar and lemon juice. This is highly recommended for calcium stains. A paste of baking soda and vinegar can also be used for gently scrubbing a particularly stubborn stain on a porcelain surface. One website even suggests using a paste made of cream of tartar and a few drops of hydrogen peroxide.
Perhaps the best solution for this problem is to prevent the stains in the first place, rather than searching for ways to remove them. This involves installing a full house water treatment system to soften your hard water by removing the minerals before they reach your fixtures. Most companies that sell water softener systems will do a free test to determine how hard your water is.
Source(s): http://watersoftener.wordpress.com/ http://watersoftener.wordpress.com/www.rainsoftdirect.com/homewatertest.php
White vinegar has been proven to work to remove hard water stains from bath tubs. See the step by step method below:
Natural Formula to Use:
Pure white vinegar
Method to Use:
1.Fill a clean spray bottle with pure vinegar
2.Spray the vinegar freely over the sink or bath tub and wait for a few minutes
3.If stains are stubborn spray more vinegar and wait a while longer
4.Simply wipe away with a clean cloth to reveal the shine
Tips:
Sometimes stains are extra stubborn - for this make a paste of white vinegar and baking soda and scrub gently with a soft brush or sponge. Never use an abrasive cleaner like scouring pads, powders or steel wool as this will scratch the surface.
What else can I help you with?
How do you remove hard water stains from glassware?
You can remove hard water stains from glassware by soaking them in a vinegar and water solution, then scrubbing with a soft sponge. You can also try using a mixture of baking soda and water to scrub away the stains. Additionally, you can use a commercial glass cleaner specifically formulated for hard water stains.
How do you get rid of hard water stains inside glass vases?
You can remove hard water stains from glass vases by soaking them in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water for a few hours. Scrub the stains with a brush or sponge, then rinse the vase thoroughly with clean water. Alternatively, you can use a commercial glass cleaner that is specifically formulated to remove hard water stains.
How do you get hard water stains off of glass vessel sinks and waterfall faucets?
You can try using a mixture of water and white vinegar to remove hard water stains from glass surfaces. Soak a cloth in the solution and gently scrub the stains. For stubborn stains, you may also use a commercial glass cleaner specifically designed to remove hard water stains. Remember to rinse thoroughly and dry the surfaces after cleaning.
How do you get the hard water stains off your black sink?
You can remove hard water stains from a black sink by using a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar or lemon juice. Apply the solution to the stains, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub gently with a non-abrasive sponge or cloth. Rinse thoroughly with water.
How can you clean old hard water stains off shower doors?
Hard water is a term that means the water has lots of minerals - hard water stains are solid deposits of those minerals left behind when the water evaporates. The water initially dissolved those minerals because it was acidic - a weak acid such as lemon juice or vinegar is usually pretty good at removing these stains; or a scrubbing paste made of baking soda and water.
How do you take hard water stains off windows?
One common method is to mix equal parts white vinegar and water, then spray the solution onto the window and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping clean with a cloth or sponge. Alternatively, you can use a specialized commercial cleaner for hard water stains. Remember to dry the windows thoroughly to prevent new water stains from forming.
Cleaning tips for hard to remove stains?
The best product to remove hard water stains from bathroom fixtures and fittings is Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. They come in different sizes and textures for different jobs.
What cleaning supplies will remove hard water and rust stains in a sink?
A mixture of vinegar and water can help to remove hard water stains from a sink. For rust stains, using a paste made of baking soda and water or a commercial rust remover can be effective. Scrub the affected areas with a sponge or scrub brush, then rinse thoroughly with water.
Hard water stains on car windows?
White vinegar has been proven to work to remove hard water stains from car windows. See the step by step method below...Natural Formula to Use:½ liter white vinegar and ¼ liter of waterMethod to Use:1.Fill a clean spray bottle with pure vinegar2.Spray the vinegar/water solution over the window and wait for a few minutes3.If stains are stubborn spray more solution and wait a while longer4.Scrub lightly with a soft sponge or cloth and rinseTip:Try to deal with the water spots straight away as the solution works best with newly formed or mild hard water spots. Be careful to wipe all of the vinegar off afterwards as it may damage the paintwork if left on for too long.
What is the best way to clean hard water stains from a bud vase?
Using a long handled bottled brush is one way to clean hard water stains from a bud vase. If that does not work, put several broken egg shells or uncooked rice with a little bit of water. Put your hand over the opening and shake well until you see the dust, dirt and film come off. Other unsightly hard stains can be removed by soaking in a solution of hot water and white vinegar. Rinse with water.
How dangerous are hard water stains to our health and environment?
Hard water stains are not directly harmful to health, but they can indicate a buildup of minerals that may affect water quality. In terms of the environment, hard water stains can contribute to water pollution if left untreated, as they may contain chemicals and contaminants that can harm aquatic ecosystems.
What is the most reliable method for removal of a hard water stain?
The most reliable method for removing hard water and other stains is an old remedy that is quite simple and used by many people. Lemons or real lemon juice had proved to be most affective with the removal of hard water stains. Direct contact is the best method.
