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cleaning toilet with toilet brush
cleaning toilet with toilet brush
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How to remove hard water stains from toilets
Hard water stains in your toilet can be particularly stubborn due to standing water. To remove them, pour cleaning vinegar into the bowl and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes, allowing the vinegar to break down the mineral buildup. After soaking, scrub the stains with a toilet brush and flush to rinse away the residue. For extra cleaning power, add baking soda along with the vinegar or scrub with a pumice stone.
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woman scrubbing bathtub
woman scrubbing bathtub
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How to remove hard water stains from tubs
For acrylic and fiberglass tubs, avoid abrasive cleaners, scrub brushes and bleach. Use vinegar or a baking soda-water paste with a soft sponge or a Magic Eraser.
For porcelain, cast iron or enamel tubs, use vinegar or baking soda with a stiff brush. For tough stains, Thaeler likes to use Soft Scrub and a scrub brush. “If it’s really bad, let it sit before scrubbing,” she says.
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woman holding a chrome faucet covered with limescale
woman holding a chrome faucet covered with limescale
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How to remove hard water stains from faucets
White vinegar is also effective at removing hard water stains from faucets, but you’ll want to add a bit of dish soap to form a gel like with shower doors. Apply the gel and let sit for at least 30 minutes, then rinse clean. For faucet heads, Thaeler offers this helpful tip: “Tie a plastic bag full of vinegar onto it and soak for an hour or longer. Then remove, rinse, wipe clean and dry with a microfiber cloth.”
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counter with coffee machine and mugs in living room
counter with coffee machine and mugs in living room
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How to remove hard water stains in coffee makers
Over time, hard water stains can affect the taste of your coffee. To clean, fill the water reservoir with a 50:50 vinegar and water mixture, then run a brew cycle with a clean filter. Halfway through, turn off the coffee maker and let the solution soak for 30 minutes before turning back on. Once finished, run two cycles with clean water and new filters to remove any remaining vinegar taste or residue.
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dishwasher filter
dishwasher filter
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How to remove hard water stains in dishwashers
If you have hard water, you may notice stains on the inside of your dishwasher. To remove, place a bowl of vinegar on the top rack and run a cycle on the hottest temperature setting. Then, remove the filter at the bottom of the tub as well as both washer arms. Soak them in vinegar for 30 to 45 minutes, then rinse and replace.
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water filtration system
water filtration system
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How To Prevent Hard Water Stains
The key to preventing hard water stains is minimizing the amount of water left to dry on surfaces. On shower doors and tile, use a squeegee to remove standing water after each shower. “I keep a squeegee with a suction cup attached to my shower glass,” Thaeler says. “I also try to rinse off any shower gel, soap or hair care products from getting splashed on the shower.”
On granite counters, quickly wipe up any spills or standing water. In dishwashers, use a high-quality detergent designed for hard water and consider adding a rinse aid to help prevent residue buildup.
If you live in an area with very hard water, installing a water softener can make a big difference. This device, installed in your main water supply line, removes minerals from all the water entering your hom
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