How to Remove Hard Water Stains From Every Surface

Water with a high mineral content can leave build-up on glass, sinks, tubs, and toilets.

Hard water gets its name from high concentration of minerals, like calcium or magnesium. While these minerals aren't dangerous, they can leave stubborn white, chalky stains on your home's fixtures and appliances over time. These stains are typically most prevalent on surfaces where water runs frequently, like in the bathroom (look for build-up on sinks, toilets, shower walls, and bathtubs). Luckily, hard water stains can be removed from these surfaces using a few common household supplies, like baking soda and distilled white vinegar.

Related: How to Clean Your Bathroom From Top to Bottom

Best Cleaning Solutions for Removing Hard Water Stains

There are a few natural cleaners you can use that effectively remove hard water stains.

• Baking soda: Baking soda dissolves calcium deposits, making it a great remedy for treating hard water stains. "Baking soda can be made into a paste and applied to the stains. A paste can be made by using equal parts water and baking soda, or equal parts vinegar and baking soda, depending on the task and the surface where it is being applied," says Jennifer Parnell, co-founder of Humble Suds.

• Vinegar: One of the best ways to remove hard water stains is with vinegar. "This cleaning staple can remove water stains from about every surface throughout your bathroom," says Katie Dills, senior vice president of The Cleaning Authority. "Simply pour a mixture of half water and half vinegar in a spray bottle and you are good to go." Note that you shouldn't use vinegar or acetic products on soft stone materials, such as marble, granite, or soapstone.

• Hydrogen peroxide: Using hydrogen peroxide removes not only hard water stains, but also soap scum. "Apply the solution to the area you are cleaning and let it sit for 15 minutes. Once that is complete, carefully scrub with a brush you have on hand," says Dills.
  

How to Remove Hard Water Stains From Glass

Vinegar is a great natural cleaner for eliminating hard water build-up because its acidity breaks down the deposits, says Parnell. Use it to remove any hard water stains on glass surfaces, like mirrors and shower doors.

Materials Needed

Make sure you have these materials on hand before getting started.

• Vinegar

• Water

• Spray bottle

• Sponge

• Baking soda

• Squeegee
  

Steps

Follow these steps from Parnell to remove hard water stains from glass.

1. Mix a solution of 1 cup water and 1 cup vinegar. Pour it into a spray bottle.

2. Spray the solution on the hard water stain and let it sit for 30 minutes.

3. Using a sponge, work the stain until clean.

4. If the stain remains, mix equal parts baking soda and water and stir until a paste forms.

5. Apply the paste. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.

6. Spray it with the vinegar and water solution.

7. Let it bubble and sit for another 10 minutes.

8. Using a sponge, work at the stain again.

9. Wet a sponge with hot water and wipe the area clean.

10. Rinse and squeegee the glass after cleaning it.

How to Remove Hard Water Stains From Shower Walls

Generally, you can use the same method outlined above when cleaning shower walls, but if your shower is made with marble or another soft porous stone, do not use vinegar. "The acidity can damage it," says Parnell. "Instead, opt for isopropyl alcohol."

Materials Needed

Make sure you have these materials on hand before getting started.

• Rubbing alcohol

• Water

• Spray bottle

• Sponge

• Squeegee

Steps

Follow these steps from Parnell to remove hard water stains from your shower walls.

1. Create a cleaning solution by adding 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol for every cup of water. Pour it into a spray bottle.

2. Spray the solution on your shower walls and let it sit briefly.

3. Using a sponge, work the stain until clean.

4. Wet a sponge with hot water and wipe the area clean.

5. Rinse and squeegee the walls after cleaning them.

Related: How to Clean a Shower, From Glass to Tile

How to Remove Hard Water Stains From the Toilet

A great DIY solution for cleaning hard water stains from your toilet is a mixture of vinegar and baking soda, says Dills.

Materials Needed

Make sure you have these materials on hand before getting started.

• Vinegar

• Baking soda

• Scrub brush

Steps

Follow these steps from Dills to remove hard water stains from your toilet.

1. Pour 1 cup vinegar around the toilet bowl's inside, covering all the hard water stains.

2. Let the vinegar sit for about 10 minutes.

3. Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda in the same area, followed by 1 cup of vinegar.

4. Let the solution fizz and sit for 10 more minutes.

5. Use a toilet brush to clean the entire surface with this solution.

6. Flush the toilet.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning a Toilet

How to Remove Hard Water Stains From the Sink Basin and Faucet

Cleaning your sink is two-fold: you have to clean the basin as well as the faucet, which can also build up with hard water over time. 

Materials Needed

Make sure you have these materials on hand before getting started.

• Baking soda

• Water

• Vinegar

• Sponge

• Paper towel
  

Steps

Follow these steps from Parnell to remove hard water stains from your sink.

1. Mix equal parts of baking soda and water and stir until a paste forms.

2. Apply the paste to the sink basin

3. Mix a solution of 1 cup water and 1 cup vinegar. Pour it into a spray bottle.

4. Spray the solution into the sink over the paste.
   

5. Let it fizz and sit for about 10 minutes.

6. Rinse away the solution and wipe clean with a sponge.

7. Soak a paper towel with vinegar.

8. Drape the paper towel over your sink faucet.

9. Let the paper towel sit for 15 minutes.

10. When the time is up, scrub the faucet down and rinse with clean water.
    

Related: How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen Sink