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Pins I’ve Tried: DIY Hard Water Remover

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

 

Comments

      • 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!!

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  2. 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….

    Reply

  3. 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.

    Reply

  5. 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.

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    • Great tips! How long do you let the vinegar sit? Will try the WD-40 on the stainless – just spray and wipe?

      Reply

      • PRETTY POTTY will take the ring out of the toilet and I have had good results with MAGIC ERASERS on spotted chrome.

        Reply

  6. 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.

    Reply

  7. 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

    Reply

  8. 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.

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  9. 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.)

    Reply

  10. 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.

    Reply

    • 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?! :-\

      Reply

    • I tried putting the piece of erasure in the toilet overnight and it didn’t do anything for the stain. 🙁

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    • 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!

      Reply

  12. 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.

    Reply

  13. Drats! Now that I look CLOSELY at the photo’s, those are NOT the same faucets at all. Boooo!
    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 🙁 Since we have a whole house water filter/softener, I didn’t think I had a hard water problem. WRONG! Phooey…

    Reply

  14. 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!

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    • 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! 🙁

      Reply

  15. 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.

    Reply

    • 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 🙂

      Reply

  17. 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.

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    • 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!

      Reply

  19. 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.

    Reply

  20. 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

    Reply

  21. 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.

    Reply

  22. 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.

    Reply

  24. 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.

    Reply

  25. 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.

    Reply

  28. there is a product called “trr” that I have used for years and it is the only thing that takes off toilet ring stain…You have to use some kind of scrubber and a little elbow grease…..Geneva

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  29. This is the first time I’m ever commenting on pinterest but I just have to….bar keepers friend is the answer. I have to use it a few times on hard stains but I have hard water and it removes stains well! Sometimes I use steel wool to scrub it.

    Reply

    • I second the Bar Keeper’s Friend. It’s a non abrasive cleanser that works great on metal surfaces. You’ll need a little elbow grease, but the results are worth it. It also works great on glass. Just make sure you don’t allow your spontaneity to take over by using it before reading the label. There are some surfaces you cannot use it on.

      Reply

  30. For hard water stains on faucets, I have had success on some rubbing them with a half of a fresh lemon, let sit – 10-20 min, then rinse. Also, my latest fav, not green, but I LOVE Awesome cleaner from the Dollar Tree. I clean a duplex for new tenants and the tub and walls had very old hard water stains, I sprayed it all, let sit 30 min, wiped, used only a little elbow grease and rinsed, looked great!!! Hope this helps! Now for me to find a good window/mirror cleaner – I always end of with streaks…. lol

    Reply

  31. I regularly have to clean what you describe as we have student tenanted properties .. So you can imagine… Ooh no, perhaps not. Here’s my solution to the prob. Cream of tartar and vinegar. Just a table spoon of c of t and enough vinegar to make a paste. Leave it on while you go do other worthwhile chores. Best thing ever, ever! All the best x

    Reply

  32. Try using an actual dishwasher soap. Like cascade or something of the like. Actual liquid soap you use in the dishwasher does not foam or it would ruin the dishwasher. Dawn is a dish soap and it will foam.
    Maybe try it with a soap that is an actual dishwashing soap so that there isn’t the foamy problem that you mentioned

    Reply

  33. I know this is an old post but since I just came across it today and I didn’t see my solution to the toilet bowl ring (TBR) I thought I’d throw it out here anyway.

    After I have used my regular toilet bowl cleaner on the inside of the bowl, I use the toilet bowl brush like a plunger to lower the water level a couple of inches. (Yeah I could turn off the water and flush, but laying across the toilet to reach the shut-off valve is something I only want to do once or twice a year to keep the shut-offs from freezing up from the hard water deposits so it works when you really need it.) Then take 2-3 paper towels folded lengthwise (or not if using the1/2 sheets like Bounty) and pour vinegar on them until they are thoroughly saturated. I do this over the sink or tub depending upon which drain hardware could use it the most. Or into the toilet if the other fixtures are all clear. Take the wet paper towels and lay them in the toilet until you’ve covered the entire TBR. But you want to keep the paper towel out of the bowl water so the vinegar doesn’t get diluted. I have super hard water and deposits will build up on the upper part of the toilet bowl so you can see where each of the water fill holes are, so I run the paper towels all the way up to under the rim, especially on the left side of the bowl.

    Now I go do something else and let it set. Because the vinegar is keeping the paper towel molded to the bowl and keeping the TBR wet, I’ll go back in a half hour and spray it down with the spray bottle of vinegar that lives in each bath. I’ll let this until, well, I need to use the toilet. (I usually do both toilets at the same time.) At that time, I take the paper towel and rub out the bowl. If I during the wipe down that has cleared up the TBR, good, but if not then a scrub with the toilet bowl brush will finish up the job. If the paper towels are still damp, I’ll wipe down the faucets (remember, I had already cleaned the bowel I started the vinegar soak!) before throwing them away.

    I also believe that the twisted wire brushes aren’t worth a darn. The only ones that work well are the rounded bullet shaped with bristles on all sides of the head.

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    • I will have to try that! We have since moved to a new house that has public water, so we aren’t having the same issue with the crust buildup. I will tell the new owners of the house (our friends!) about this method. Thanks for being a new reader, by the way 🙂

      Reply

  34. I get stains as shown in your son’s toilet. I drain out as much water as I can and use Bar Keepers Friend to get the ring with little effort. Also my brother is a plumber, as far as trying to keep the unsightly water stains on faucets, kitchen sink, he advised me and I do this, is get Minwax Paste and lightly coat in sink and faucets about once every 6 months. The water just bubbles off the fixtures.

    Reply

  35. I’m not sure if this didn’t post or not, so I’m sending it again. PRETTY POTTY will take the ring out of the toilet and MAGIC ERASERS works very well on spotted chrome.

    Reply

  36. I use drywall sanding screens to clean the hard water lines on my toilets and sinks. I’ve never tried them on my faucets though because I’m afraid of scratching them. I’ll have to try some of the ideas in these comments. SO MANY!

    Reply

  37. I have the same toilet rings and spots on my chrome and polished nickel from hard water. I still don’t have a solution for the toilet ring. However, I did find a wonder product for polishing chrome and polished nickel. It’s called Flitz Faucet+Wax. I found it on Amazon. Made all my fixtures shiny like new!! It’s amazing! Hoping to find the answer to the toilet rings.

    Reply

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