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Hard Water Stains Stand No Chance Against These Simple Hacks
By CAILEY JOHANNA THIESSEN
Toothbrush
Scrubbing a bathtub with a toothbrush sounds tedious, but the bristles work better than a cloth. One of the best ways to use this hack is when cleaning out showerheads.
Remove the showerhead and soak it in distilled white vinegar or your favorite cleaner, then gently scrub it with a toothbrush. The bristles will get the build up in small spaces.
Coca-Cola
To clean hard water stains from a toilet, try pouring some Coke slowly and evenly down the edges of the bowl, letting it drip down before going in for another round.
Use a toilet brush to gently scrub away the Coke, and watch it take the hard water stains with it. The acidity in Coke breaks down limescale and makes it much easier to clean.
Coca-Cola is a sugary drink, so it doesn't work for cleaning all hard water stains. You may need to follow up with another cleaner to remove any sticky residue on other surfaces.
Lemons
The acidic juice in lemons does a great job of breaking down the minerals left behind in hard water stains so you can scrub away the stains more easily.
Rub a lemon half over your faucets and let it sit, or fill a container with lemon juice and vinegar and soak your showerhead. Then, wipe with a cloth or scrub with a toothbrush.
Baking Soda & Vinegar
Cover stains with a thick paste of baking soda and vinegar. The vinegar breaks away the hard minerals, and the soda removes dirt and soap residue.
Use two parts baking soda, one part vinegar, and one part water. After coating the hard water stains, let it sit for several minutes, then wipe it off.
Pumice Stone
Real pumice stones are volcanic rock; others are made of ground glass and a foaming agent. Both varieties are abrasive materials that work on hard water stains.
The stones are perfect for cleaning porcelain or ceramic surfaces if used correctly. To avoid damage, soak it in water first and gently test a small area before cleaning.
If needed, add a vinegar and baking soda paste or a cleaning agent. When finished, clean the stone off well before storing it, as the porous surface can trap bacteria.