It’s no secret that hard water can cause problems for your sink. Coming off of a long winter where we see more indoor home heating and thus drier air, this problem becomes even more apparent as everything begins to get worse. Leaving hard water stains and buildup in your sink is not only unattractive but can also be challenging to clean. This article will look at a few different methods you can use to remove hard water stains from your sink.
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Vinegar And Water
One way to help break down some of the minerals and particles that cause hard water stains is through a mixture of vinegar and water. Be sure to use an even 50/50 or 40/60 ratio of white distilled vinegar and water, whichever you prefer. This mixture will need to soak in your sink for at least 30 minutes so it can have a chance to penetrate and break down the minerals that cause hard water stains. If your sink happens to be extra stained, you may want to allow this solution a little longer of a soak time. Once it has soaked on your sink for at least 30 minutes, use a soft cloth or sponge with clean water to rinse away the vinegar mixture from your sink. You may have to repeat the process as many as a few times before all of the minerals are removed from your sink, but soon enough, you should notice a difference.
Lemon Juice And Salt
If you still cannot get the hard water stains off your sink, the following method may do the trick. You have to combine lemon juice and salt in a small bowl to make it. The ratio should be approximately 1 cup of warm water to 2 tbsp of salt and 1 tbsp of freshly squeezed lemon. You should use this method in combination with the other methods if they seem to not be working. Dip a soft rag or sponge into your mixture and rub it against any hard water stains on your sink. After about 20 minutes, rinse away the salt and lemon mixture from your sink with clean water. If you decide to use this method, you may likely need to repeat it more than once, but keep at it, and you should eventually see the stains come off of your sink.
Hydrogen Peroxide & Baking Soda
There are times when even the most diligent scrubbing and soaking still will not remove all of your hard water stains due to deeply set-in minerals. If this is the case, you may want to consider using hydrogen peroxide. You should mix this with baking soda so it can create a paste-like solution that is thick enough to sit on the stains of your sink for at least 1 hour. This will allow it to break down the minerals causing your hard water stains and then scrub it away with a soft sponge or cloth. If you find that your sink is extra dirty or stained, you may want to let this solution soak overnight instead of just for 1 hour.
Rubbing Alcohol
Another method you may want to try is rubbing alcohol. You can purchase it from any drug store, and one bottle will last you a very long time. Use a soft rag or sponge to rub the hard water stains away from your sink after applying a small amount of rubbing alcohol to the stained area. Allow this to sit for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it out with water. You should use this method in conjunction with the other methods if your sink is extra dirty or stained, rather than trying to use this method alone.
Toothpaste With Fluoride
One of the more surprising ways you can remove hard water stains from your sink is using toothpaste with fluoride. Not only will this method help you to get rid of the tough mineral buildup that other methods have not even touched, but it also has a pleasant minty scent. Squeeze a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto your sink, and then add in just enough warm water until it makes a paste that is thick and easier to scrub with. Once the paste is in place, use a sponge or cloth to gently rub your sink clean in small circular motions. Allow this to sit for at least 20 minutes before rinsing away the toothpaste and water mixture with clean tap water. You may need to repeat this method as many times as necessary until your sink is spotless.
Conclusion
There are many methods you can try to remove hard water stains from your sink. Some are simple household items, while some may require a trip to the store for an ingredient or two that you will need. However, each of these solutions will help you get rid of the tough mineral buildup that has worked its way into even the hardest to reach areas of your sink. If you need to use more than one method at a time, make sure to follow the steps from each method consecutively instead of simultaneously, or else your sink may become too wet and cause damage to it.
