Hard water stains are one of the most common and unappealing issues we have to deal with at some point. Few things are worse than flushing your toilet and seeing a stain ring despite having just cleaned it—or even worse, having a guest see it!
Removing hard water stains can be difficult without the right tools, but here are a few simple methods to keep your toilet stain free, so grab your gloves and get ready to clean.
Method #1. Use white vinegar and baking soda
Using vinegar is a safe way to get rid of hard water stains. Start by pouring 1-2 cups of white vinegar into your toilet and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub with a toilet brush to remove the stain.
If vinegar alone is not enough, try adding 1 cup of baking soda, then one more cup of vinegar. Let the mixture fizz for about 10 minutes and stir. Let it sit for 20-30 more minutes and scrub away the stain. Flush to rinse and repeat if necessary.
Method #2. Use borax and white vinegar
For stubborn hard water stains, you can use borax. Mix ¼ cup of vinegar and ½ cup of borax, then stir to create a paste. You need to spread this paste directly over the stain, so be sure to shut the water valve and empty your toilet before you do. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes and scrub with a stiff toilet brush. Reopen the valve and flush to rinse. You can repeat if the stain persists.
Method #3. Use citric acid
A less complex way to remove hard water stains is to use citric acid powder. Simply empty your toilet and sprinkle the citric acid over the stains—be sure to cover them completely. Let it sit overnight.
The citric acid will have softened the minerals on the stains by the next day. Remove the stain with a toilet brush and flush to rinse.
Method #4. Use a steel wool scrubber
If all fails, you can resort to using a steel wool scrubber. This will likely take care of the difficult stains, but you need to be mindful of a few things when using this method. If you scratch too hard, a steel wool scrubber can leave marks on porcelain and ceramic toilets, as well as irreversibly damage on materials such as marble or fiberglass, so it’s best to avoid using this method altogether if your toilet is made of these materials.
If you decide to use a steel wool scrubber as your last resort, make sure the stained area and the scrubber are wet to minimize possible damage. Additionally, you can use a pumice stone instead; just remember to take the same precautions.
Too many pending chores? Leave the cleaning to us!
Getting rid of hard water stains can be challenging, and you might have other pending chores. Not enough time to tackle all those cleaning tasks? Hire a trustworthy cleaner in Los Angeles or Las Vegas with Mya Cleaning Services.
Also, you can visit our website to receive professional assistance and keep up with more useful cleaning tips.