Cleaning Hard Water Stains off of Porcelain

(401 Words)
Hard water can create hard-to-clean, ugly stains on porcelain surfaces, including sinks, bathtubs and toilets. When lime, calcium and other minerals accumulate on the hard porcelain surfaces, they can cause a discoloration, which can be difficult to remove by ordinary means. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can address the issue.
Before you start to clean the surfaces, you want to protect your skin and yourself. Wear heavy gloves when handling chemicals. Some chemicals burn through clothing and skin, so wear protective clothing and eye goggles, as necessary. Open a window, the door and make sure the area has good air circulation. Be very careful if you choose to use more than one chemical – a lot of common household chemicals create a highly poisonous gas when mixed. Of course, make sure to use every chemical as directed and dilute as necessary.
Some hard water stains on porcelain are more difficult to remove than others, and you may need to try several methods before finding one that works (again don’t mix the chemicals). First, consider a porcelain cleaner specifically formulated to address hard water. Cleaning Tips recommends Lime-Away, a strong porcelain cleaner. Use acidic cleaners sparingly because they can eventually harm the porcelain.
A more natural option that may work is to use baking soda. Mix baking soda with water. Scrub with a soft brush and rinse.
Bleach may also work against hard water stains. Use a rag, sponge or brush to apply it to the area. Rinse thoroughly to get rid of all remnants of the chemical.
You can also try to scrub away the stain with something stronger such as a pumice stone. Some people use this techniques when they are cleaning toilets. This can scratch the porcelain, however, so be very cautious when you use it.
Another natural cleaner is vinegar. Mix 1/4 vinegar with 3/4 water. Use a spray bottle to apply it to the stain, and then use a rag or sponge or scrub the area. Hopefully this will remove the stain.
There are many different techniques that you can use to get rid of hard water stains on porcelain surfaces. You might want to choose the safest, most natural options first to see if they work and then move on to the harsher chemicals. Also, clean as soon as you see the stains so that they do not have a chance to build up.