5 Methods for Removing Hard Water Stains

Hard water stains are a common problem in Queensland households, as water salinity is a major natural resource issue across Australia. Primarily bicarbonates, chlorides and sulphates of calcium and magnesium are salts in water that make it hard and bad for household surfaces/ fixtures. These salts are highly-soluble in surface and groundwater, which is why your home can have hard water deposits on multiple areas weakening their surface durability & appearance. Hard stains are a big problem for renters as the inability to remove them can cost them their bond money. You can hire professional cleaners who offer bond cleaning Brisbane to deep clean your rental property and eliminate mineral deposits effectively. However, use the following five methods for removing hard water stains in your home to maintain general household hygiene.

1. Dissolve Mineral Deposits with White Vinegar

The acetic acid in white vinegar is highly effective in breaking mineral deposits and making them easier to remove. Moreover, since vinegar is an organic and safe cleaner, you can use it almost anywhere in your home to safely remove hard water stains. Here’s how.

Spray the affected area with undiluted vinegar and let it dwell for 3-4 hours. While cleaning toiler bowls turn off the water supply and flush to remove the water before putting vinegar.

Next, scrub with a firm-bristled brush or scouring pad to agitate loosened salts. You can apply soap while scrubbing if necessary.

Wash the residues with warm water and let the area air dry.

Precautions: Keep windows and doors open while cleaning with vinegar to avoid its pungent smell. Also, don’t use vinegar on natural stone surfaces.

2. Remove Hard Water Stains with Oxalic Acid

Oxalic acid is an organic compound known for its efficacy against tough stains such as rust, stubborn grime and mineral deposits. Professional end of lease cleaners in Brisbane use such products to clean homes without toxins. Here’s how to use oxalic acid to remove hard water deposits.

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.

Precautions: Wear thick rubber gloves & goggles when handling oxalic acid. Also, keep the rooms well-ventilated to avoid compromising indoor air quality.

3. Use Fluoride Toothpaste

Fluoride in toothpaste reacts with calcium and magnesium salts and breaks them, making it suitable for removing hard water stains. You can use toothpaste to clean glass, stone surfaces, chrome fixtures, and even ceramics.

Apply it to the dirty objects/surfaces and leave for 5 minutes.

Scrub gently with a damp sponge or brush

Wash thoroughly with water to remove any residues.

Precaution: While cleaning mirrors, shower glasses or other vertical surfaces, move top to bottom. It is a professional technique end of lease cleaners in Brisbane use to prevent recontamination of cleaned areas and save time while cleaning.

4. Use Hydrogen Peroxide & Cream of Tartar

Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic commonly used in homes for cleaning wounds. But, you can use it to remove hard water stains from tiles, steel, ceramics and other areas after mixing it with cream of tartar which is mildly abrasive.

Make a runny paste with the ingredients and apply it generously to mineral stains.

Wait 10 minutes, then scrub with a sponge or a soft brush.

Wash the residues or wipe with a damp microfiber cloth, then air dry.

Precautions: Don’t leave paste too long on any surface, as hydrogen peroxide has bleaching abilities. Only use hydrogen peroxide on tough stains.

5. Remove Hard Water Stains with Baking Soda or Pumice Stone

Baking soda is mildly abrasive and dissolves calcium deposits, making it a potent hard water stain remover. However, you need to mix two parts baking soda with one part vinegar to make an extra-strength cleaning paste.

You can apply the paste to mineral stains and let it dwell for 10-15 minutes.

Next, scrub the paste to remove the deposits and get sanitary and deodorised surfaces/fixtures.

Wash with warm water and wipe with a microfiber cloth to dry the cleaned surface/object.

However, if deposits remain, you can gently scrub them with a pumice stone. These porous stones can loosen hardened deposits and make it easier to wash them with warm water. Precaution: Don’t scrub harshly with pumice stone as it will starch and damage ceramics, tiles and natural stone surfaces. Additionally, don’t mix baking soda with vinegar when cleaning marbles, granites and other porous surfaces.

Endnote

Tenants can lose their bond if the rental property has hard water stains during the final inspection. Thus, you must follow these five methods to naturally remove mineral deposits from surfaces and fixtures in your house. However, if you cannot, hire professional end of lease cleaners in Brisbane to clean your rental property expertly and help get your bond back in full.