Are you concerned because you have a bunch of stains building up on your shower doors, shower heads, faucets, and other locations where you use water throughout your home? There is a chance that these stains could be caused by hard water.
These stains can be frustrating to deal with, but if you can properly identify them, you will be able to figure out how to get rid of them quickly. Where do hard water stains come from, and what do they look like?
Learn more below.
Hard Water Stains Form From Mineral Deposits and Mineral Buildup
First, it is important to understand what we mean when we are talking about hard water. If your water has high levels of excess minerals, including calcium and magnesium, your water could be too hard. You can test the hardness level of your water using a variety of test kits, but if your water is too hard, you can use a water softener to strip the excess minerals from your water supply and soften your water.
If your water is too hard, stains could form after the water evaporates. For example, you could have water that collects on the exterior of your faucets, shower heads, and shower doors after you turn off the water. Then, as the water evaporates, you might notice an unusual scale or stain left behind.
While the water might evaporate, magnesium and calcium will be left behind. This is where hard water stains come from, and they can be particularly challenging to remove.
Where Do Hard Water Stains Tend To Collect?
One of the most frustrating aspects of having hard water is that it can cause stains just about anywhere. If you use your plumbing system, hard water stains could be left behind.
For example, your porcelain sink might have an unusual scale after the water dries. Or, you might notice some unusual stains forming in the toilet bowl as well. Of course, the excess minerals can also impact the water supply coming out of your shower heads and faucets. Then, as a result, you could have hard water stains on the exterior.
There is even a chance that hard water stains can impact your clean dishes and laundry. Because the problem of hard water can be so pervasive throughout your home, it is important to test the hardness level of your water from time to time and address it before it starts to cause too many problems.
Hard Water Stains Look Like White Scale Buildup
Even though hard water stands can come in many shapes and forms, the most common type of hard water stain with which people are familiar is a white scale. For example, you might notice some cloudy or foggy stains on your shower doors, bathtubs, and faucets. If you have ever seen calcium or magnesium in their solid states, you will know that they are white. This white color can be left behind after the water evaporates, causing the white scale to form.
Gradually, these excess minerals can cause your faucets and shower heads to lose their shine. You might even notice a rough texture on the exterior of your shower heads and faucets. If you do not address these stains quickly, they can get worse over time, expanding and collecting on the exterior of just about every plumbing fixture.
What Does Hard Water Do To Your Laundry?
Even though hard water does not necessarily stain your laundry, it can have a significant impact on its appearance. First, understand that hard water can prevent detergents from mixing effectively with the water entering your washing machine. Therefore, if you have stains on your laundry, these stains are unlikely to come out because your detergent will not be that effective.
Furthermore, there is a chance that the excess calcium in the water supply could bind to your detergent, forming a curd that will stick to your fabric. This curd could actually draw in more dirt, causing your clothes to look dirty when they come out of the laundry, creating tough hard water buildup and unsightly hard water stains.
In addition, the excess minerals in the water supply could deposit on your clothes as they dry. Then, when you pull your clothes out of the washing machine, they may look a bit tacky or dingy. You might even notice some soap scum. The texture will be a bit off, and you might not like the feeling of your clothes against your skin. The color of your clothes could also fade more quickly over time as a result of hard water. If you want to protect your clothes against this issue, you need to reduce the hardness level of your water.
What Do Hard Water Stains Look Like on Your Dishes?
Hard water can also have an impact on your dishes. While you might notice this film forming on your dishes if you hand wash them in the sink, the film will be much more apparent when you pull your dishes out of the dishwasher. If your dishes have a slight, white film to them, this is a sign that minerals are depositing on the exterior of your dishes.
The excess calcium and magnesium in your water supply can leave behind a chalky residue on your dishes. It can be challenging to remove, and it can also slightly change the texture of your dishes. The best way to deal with this issue is to prevent it from happening. That means reducing the hardness level of your water supply.
Can Hard Water Cause Orange or Red Stains?
When we are talking about hard water, we are talking about excess levels of calcium and magnesium in your water supply. These minerals will cause white stains and residue to form on just about everything hard water comes into contact with, but they should not cause orange or red stains.
If you notice orange, red, tan, yellow, or rusty stains forming on your plumbing fixtures, it could be a sign that you have excess iron in your water supply. The color of the stains will depend on the amount of iron in the water supply and the degree to which it oxidizes. As iron oxidizes, it can turn red and yellow, matching the color of rust. If you think you have high levels of iron in your water supply, you may want to reach out to a professional who can help you.Â
You May Be Able To Use Baking Soda and a Scrubber Brush To Remove Hard Water Stains
There are different ways you can get rid of hard water stains, but one of the most popular home remedies is to form a paste using white vinegar and baking soda. Take this paste and spread it on all affected surfaces. A spray bottle could help you with this hard water stain remover.
Then, remove the paste using a toilet brush (for toilet bowls), a microfiber cloth, or some other scrubbing surface. It will take a significant amount of time and effort, but you should be able to remove hard water stains using this method. There are other options available as well, and you might want to reach out to an expert who can help you eliminate hard water stains.
Address Hard Water Stains Quickly and Efficiently
If you have hard water stains, you need to get rid of them as quickly as possible. If you allow them to collect and expand, they will only be more difficult to deal with down the road.
Then, do not forget that you need to prevent them from coming back. The best way to do so is to invest in a solid water softener, such as a water softener from DROP, that can help you remove excess minerals from your water supply.
