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The water in our house is very hard. I have hard water stains everywhere. Bathtubs, sinks, showers, countertops, toilets… they are all subject to the ugly stains. I’ve tried quite a few methods in an attempt to get rid of it, but hadn’t found anything that made the task any easier. And then, I found this pin today.
Image from DIY Confessions – click on it to go to her blog
What an amazing before and after… Could this one be the answer to my hard water stain-removing prayers? I had all the ingredients on hand, so I mixed up a batch.
You will need: vinegar, lemon juice and dishwashing soap
Here are the directions: Fill 1/2 of a squirt bottle with vinegar, 1/4 cup lemon juice and fill remaining space with your choice of dishwasher detergent (I used Dawn) and mix. Then spray all the surfaces you have hard water stains on and let it sit for 30 minutes. Wipe off. See fabulousness.
Or in my case, not so much.
I used it in all our bathrooms. Every sink, toilet, shower and tub – and the kitchen sink area too. I let it sit for 30 minutes. I put some elbow grease into wiping it off and I even gave it a second go, but it didn’t get the hard water spots off. It did clean the areas I used it on, but the water stains remained. Oh, and it was very bubbly because of the Dawn, so there was much rinsing going on.
I will say that it did a great job of deodorizing the bathrooms – they smell less bathroom-y.
This is my son’s toilet – after. See that lovely ring? Can’t get it off.
Ring around the toilet
And this is in his shower – after . I can’t get those spots off… grrr…
Water spots are annoying little buggers.
Sorry, but I don’t have before photos of my own, as I just do things without thinking about it all the way through – or stopping to take pictures. My dad, who reads my blog, is probably laughing right now because that is what he always says that to me – “you’re so spontaneous”. Love you, Dad!
I sometimes wonder why the cleaning tips I see work for other pinners, but not for me. I’ve come to the conclusion that either I am cleaning-disabled, or my hard water is different from other people’s hard water, or maybe I just don’t try hard enough. The blogger who originally wrote the post had amazing results. I want some amazing over here too!!
So, if you have any ideas on how to remove hard water stains, let me know!
Eliesa
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The vinegar should work by itself.
Thanks, but how long would do I let it sit for??
Try baking soda and vinegar, We recently moved into a house that needed so much work and looked like it had never been cleaned. I mixed the baking soda and vinegar and let it sit overnight, scrubbed a little in the morning and viola! clean, fresh, sparkling and no stains! good luck!!
I agree with you! Ugh! I did buy one of those bathroom “pumice” stones. It did work on the toilet ring. I wouldn’t try it on the chrome….
On the ring in the toilet you can get a pumice stone at walmart and it will scrape it off. If your really up for trying things, you can spray shout or spray and wash on it, and use a magic eraser. Or you can just wet a dryer sheet and scrub with it. There are different types of hard water.
Will try the dryer sheet – on the shower, NOT the toilet
Doesn’t work for me either. I figure my water is just super hard…
I’ve used just straight vinegar too with great results. Orange oil has also worked, but I have trouble finding it. I have also used WD40 (this works great for cleaning stainless steel in the kitchen) too.
Great tips! How long do you let the vinegar sit? Will try the WD-40 on the stainless – just spray and wipe?
I had really good luck with using vinegar in the dishwasher to get the hard water crust off the heating element. I poured it on straight to the element and let it sit for a while. Not sure of exactly how long but it did come off. I’m with you on the toilet thing though, and the only thing I’ve found to work is a super fine grade of sand paper. It left it amazing, but I had to empty all the water out if the toilet to use it. Maybe the pumice would work the same without having to the empty the water. I’ve tried the bathroom version of the magic eraser in the shower and it worked nicely. Not sure if my spots were hard water or soap scum though.
I use vinegar and baking soda on all my bathroom chrome fixtures (faucets, shower head, etc), toilettes, and anything questionable around the house (dogs water/food bowls). Just don’t scrub too hard or you might scratch the surface. As for time, I typically put it on at night (as I’m last to bed) and wipe it off in the morning (as I’m also the first up). If I know family is coming to visit I allow at least an hour for it to sit, but sometimes that isn’t long enough…
With a house full of guys (5!) and two dogs, I’ve always fallen back on my grandmother’s cleaning advice! Works wonders!!
Best of Luck and Happy Cleaning!!
Katie
I have used the recipe using HOT vinegar and Dawn dishsoap, spray on and let it sit for a while. It has totally worked in my bathroom on the shower walls! Love that.
I will have to try heating the vinegar – thanks for the tip!
I had the same problem. I also tried using all natural cleaners and it didn’t work. I then started using oxiclean and would make a paste and using a lot of elbow grease would be able to get rid of the toilet bowl ring.But then I discovered “The Works” toilet bowl cleaner!! Its a miracle worker!! I put it in the bowl and swish the brush around and the ring disappears!! No more scrubbing, no ugly dirty toilet bowl, it gleams!! It’s not natural which makes me feel a little guilty, but I just can’t stand a dirty looking toilet bowl. (the Works is also cheap. You can get it at Walmart or look at your supermarket.)
Thanks Susan! I will give it a try, as I still can’t get that darn ring off the toilet!!
Elise..i read on Pinterest that those Mr Clean Magic Erasures work for toilet stains..you cut off of piece and throw it in the toilet and the stain disappers. I would leave it overnight… I haven’t tried it but if you search it on here you will see it.
Will try this tonight – thanks!
But you are supposed to let the magic eraser sit all night in the toilet. How does one tell one’s husband that he needs to use the ‘other’ bathroom, on the other side of the house for the night?! :-\
I tried putting the piece of erasure in the toilet overnight and it didn’t do anything for the stain.
Polydent for the toilet ring worked on my “extra hard” hard water toilet stains
I tried this the other day, and it didn’t touch the ring we have on that toilet. I think it must be something other than hard water – perhaps lime? I’m trying something now, will let you know if it works. Thanks for the suggestion – I’m always up for a new experiment!
You might try mineral oil on the chrome. I use it for many things, including chrome & stainless steel. It’s a MUST for cutting boards & cast iron pans, too.
Hi Ma – Just rub the mineral oil onto it??
Drats! Now that I look CLOSELY at the photo’s, those are NOT the same faucets at all. Boooo!
Since we have a whole house water filter/softener, I didn’t think I had a hard water problem. WRONG! Phooey…
Today I tried the vinegar wash in dishwasher, followed by baking soda wash, but it did nothing for my stains in the bottom of the washer
I’ve had the same results when using others ideas for hard water removal. You are not alone.
I like “The Works” toliet cleaner for removing rust stains…if you have any of those. It works very well. you can get it at Wal-mart for $1.22 a bottle. I struggled with rust stains for so long, so now I feel compelled to share the remedy!
Someone else recommended The Works too, so I tried it. It didn’t work for this stain. I don’t know what this stain is made of, but nothing seems to be working to remove it. I just tried CLR too. Boo!
I had that same bluish ring in one of my toilets (not the other….go figure…..must not be the water’s fault) After all attempts……. used rubber gloves, a pumice scouring stick, and about 5 minutes of elbow grease, it was gone. Found the scouring stick in the cleaning supplies section of one of the grocery stores.
I will look for that today when I do the grocery shopping . Thanks for the tip
try SOS it works on my shower and all my windows
I tried the SOS pad on the ring in my toilet, and it didn’t work. I love SOS pads, and was so hopeful this would work on this ring, but so far, I’ve had absolutely no luck. I mean, if SOS won’t take it off, I’m pretty sure it’s not happening! A new toilet might be necessary… Thanks for the tip though
The recipe called for dishwasher soap. Dawn is dish soap, but not dishWASHER soap. Cascade is dishwasher soap. Could that be the problem? It wouldn’t foam like Dawn does either.
Good question! however, if you go to the original pin’s website, it was regular dish soap, not dishwasher soap. I would love to find something that works, because I hate that ring with a passion!
Try the product Softscrub to get rid of the hard-water stains.
I’m going to pick some up tomorrow. I’ll let you know if it works. Thanks!
Did U try Coke? Or, in France, my plumber told me to put half a bottle of hydrochloric acide but careful with hands and eyes.
Try a regular pumice stone you would use for a pedicure. It may be curved and fit the contour of toilet bowl easier. Dont be afraid of scratching the porcelain finish. Severely built up mineral deposits will require a starting place to chip off the built up scale almost like scraping off and continue around until the surface is smooth. Perhaps even a razor scraper would work. If that doesnt work, turn off water supply, flush until empty of water and add white vinegar letting it set until it dissolves it
Will let you know if any of your tips work – thanks!!
The works is a miracle in a bottle for hard water and rust stains in your stool, but don’t use it for any thing chrome or metal. In my experience it has caused damage.
I had the same problem with toilet stains, it drove me crazy. After a lot of asking around I came across GM-35, yes that is the name. It worked great, very toxic though, but I was desperate and ready to invest in a new toilet. Good luck.
where can I get some GM-35
I’m not sure – I didn’t try it. Did you follow the link the other commenter left?
http://www.imagesupplyinc.com/Catalog/p/TRR/Industrial_Strength_TRR_Toilet_Ring_Remover_-_32_oz/
They manufacter this stuff in Kapolei, Hawaii. When I lived there it was sold in all stores. It is the best stuff in the world. No elbow grease required.
I will share a Professional House Cleaners tip for hard water stains. Go to home depot and buy drywall finishing screen, or try your local janitor store and ask for “Toilet cleaning screens” These are great on porcelain, lightly rub in a CIRCULAR motion and the hard water stains will come right off. Pumice stones will make deep groves in the porcelain which will cause more damage long term. The screens are the way to go.
I hear your frustration. I use a product called Lemishine that is made for dishwashers. Drain the bowl & dip an old toothbrush in it and scrub away. It will also work on chrome, glass & even old water marked plant pots. It is made from citric acid which is used in some canning recipes & bath bombs. Good luck.
Barkeeper’s Friend stainless cleaner. Fabulous