Hard Water Stains

When I was a girl, one of my chores was to remove the hard water stains from the sink, bathtub and toilet bowl.

For this and several other household tasks, I was given a weekly allowance that given inflation and the current recession, was more than I earn today.

Water is "hard" because it has a very high mineral content. The minerals not only stain walls and faucets, they increase the amount of soap and shampoo scum that gathers on shower walls.

Hard water stains are tough to get out without using a professional cleaning solution, but with a little elbow grease and determination it can be done.

Using Zud or Another Commercial Cleaner:

Zud now comes in a powder and a cream. Just sprinkle it on the hard water stains, wet a sponge and give it a good scrub. As with any commercial cleaner, it's best to wear a pair of rubber gloves to protect your skin from any harsh chemicals.

If you prefer another abrasive cleaner such as Comet, the rubber glove advice still holds. But, if you use Comet, let it sit for a few minutes before you begin scrubbing.

Using a Less Harsh Cleaner:

If you prefer to use a more environmentally friendly or less harsh cleaner on hard water stains, you'll need to use one that is highly acidic.

To cut through the minerals and the scum, you need acid.

• Distilled white vinegar – Use it at full strength. Don't dilute it.
• Lemon juice – Use as you would vinegar.

Mixing Your Own Stain Remover:

If the vinegar or lemon juice alone doesn't work, you may want to add a little borax, baking soda or cream of tartar to make a paste.

Which combination will work best depends on the mineral content of your water and the amount of time the stains and scum have been allowed to sit.

To make your own paste, you'll need:

• 1 cup distilled white vinegar or lemon juice
• ½ to ¾ cup borax, baking soda or cream of tartar

If you're not sure which combination to start with, try the vinegar and baking soda first, as these are probably the two ingredients you have readily available in your kitchen. Slowly add the vinegar or lemon juice to ½ cup of borax, baking soda or cream of tartar.

Apply the Paste to the Stain:

Using a spatula or a rubber-gloved hand, place the paste on top of the stain. If using only ½ cup of the baking soda seems to leave the mixture too runny, or if it scoots down the wall in a hurry, slowly add the remaining ¼ cup to thicken the paste. Let it stand for 15 minutes or so and then scrub with a sponge.

If the stain isn't completely removed, make another batch of paste and reapply. Even though you want to use a natural, environmentally friendly method of hard water stain removal, you may have no choice but to go with a commercial cleaner.

Stopping Hard Water Stains From Coming Back:

There are a few things you can do to prevent hard water build up from getting out of hand. Keep a towel handy for wiping down the shower and sink after each use and have everyone get in the act, after a short time it becomes second nature. Another option is to purchase a water softener for your home, it's a good investment that will last many years.