Difference between revisions of "Remove Hard Water Spots"
m (Text replacement - "[[Category:H" to "[[Category: H") |
|||
| (3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
Hard water is water with a high amount of mineral deposits like lime, silica, and calcium. When the water dries, the deposits are left behind, leaving unsightly spots on glass or ceramic surfaces, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. If you're tired of looking at the brown or white scum that has collected in your living spaces, you can use vinegar or something stronger to clean it up. See Step 1 to learn how to brighten your kitchen and bathroom surfaces in no time. | Hard water is water with a high amount of mineral deposits like lime, silica, and calcium. When the water dries, the deposits are left behind, leaving unsightly spots on glass or ceramic surfaces, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. If you're tired of looking at the brown or white scum that has collected in your living spaces, you can use vinegar or something stronger to clean it up. See Step 1 to learn how to brighten your kitchen and bathroom surfaces in no time. | ||
| − | [[Category:Home Cleaning Preparations]] | + | [[Category: Home Cleaning Preparations]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
#Try letting the vinegar sit on the hard water spots. If you let it sit and soak in for a few minutes instead of wiping it off right away, it'll have more time to break down the mineral deposits holding the scum in place. Let it soak in for a good 5 - 10 minutes before you try to wipe it off. Use a scrub brush to loosen thicker deposits. | #Try letting the vinegar sit on the hard water spots. If you let it sit and soak in for a few minutes instead of wiping it off right away, it'll have more time to break down the mineral deposits holding the scum in place. Let it soak in for a good 5 - 10 minutes before you try to wipe it off. Use a scrub brush to loosen thicker deposits. | ||
#*You can also soak a towel in the vinegar solution and drape it over the stained surface. This works well for shower floors and bathtubs. | #*You can also soak a towel in the vinegar solution and drape it over the stained surface. This works well for shower floors and bathtubs. | ||
| − | #Use a cleaner with hydrochloric acid. Look for a bathroom cleaner made for getting rid of hard water stains and soap scum. This should be a last resort, since hydrochloric acid is a harsh chemical.<ref>http://www.stylemepretty.com/living/2010/07/23/removing-hard-water-stains/</ref> Make sure the room is well-ventilated - open the windows and turn on the fans - then spray the stained area with the appropriate cleaner. Wipe it away, then rinse the surface with water and dry it. | + | #Use a cleaner with hydrochloric acid. Look for a bathroom cleaner made for getting rid of hard water stains and soap scum. This should be a last resort, since hydrochloric acid is a harsh chemical.<ref name="rf16972">http://www.stylemepretty.com/living/2010/07/23/removing-hard-water-stains/</ref> Make sure the room is well-ventilated - open the windows and turn on the fans - then spray the stained area with the appropriate cleaner. Wipe it away, then rinse the surface with water and dry it. |
#*Be sure to wear gloves when handles hydrochloric acid. | #*Be sure to wear gloves when handles hydrochloric acid. | ||
===Preventing Hard Water Spots=== | ===Preventing Hard Water Spots=== | ||
| − | #Dry your surfaces after use. After you take a shower or bath, or splash water in your kitchen, use a dry towel to wipe the surfaces. This will mop up the mineral deposits before they can dry out and leave spots.<ref>http://www.maidbrigade.com/house-cleaning-tips/how-to-remove-hard-water-stains</ref> | + | #Dry your surfaces after use. After you take a shower or bath, or splash water in your kitchen, use a dry towel to wipe the surfaces. This will mop up the mineral deposits before they can dry out and leave spots.<ref name="rf16973">http://www.maidbrigade.com/house-cleaning-tips/how-to-remove-hard-water-stains</ref> |
#Use water softener powder or liquid. You can add a water softener to your washing machine to prevent calcium deposits from building up. Powder or liquid water softeners are available at hardware stores. | #Use water softener powder or liquid. You can add a water softener to your washing machine to prevent calcium deposits from building up. Powder or liquid water softeners are available at hardware stores. | ||
#Get a water softener system. If your water is extremely hard and you're tired of dealing with the mess it leaves - it's hard on hair and skin as well as bathroom surfaces - consider getting a system installed that will remove the mineral deposits from your water. This is an expensive option, but it might be worth the trouble. | #Get a water softener system. If your water is extremely hard and you're tired of dealing with the mess it leaves - it's hard on hair and skin as well as bathroom surfaces - consider getting a system installed that will remove the mineral deposits from your water. This is an expensive option, but it might be worth the trouble. | ||
