The Plumbing Industry’s Best Kept Secret About Hard Water
There’s an old saying that claims that if you knew how the sausage was made, you’d never eat sausage again. In the plumbing industry, many believe that if our customers knew how their plumbing gets fixed, they would never need plumbers again.
At Heidler, Inc. we have more faith in our community than that! That’s why we decided to open up about one of the plumbing industry’s best-kept secrets: hard water stain removal! Read on to learn how the pros deal with hard water, including why you should consider investing in a water softener.
What Does “Hard Water” Mean?
Hard water is a term that is used to describe water that has a high mineral content- usually high in magnesium and calcium.
It’s not necessarily dangerous to your health, but hard water can be a nuisance and wreak havoc on your clothes, skin, and hair.
Hard water is also known to leave behind hard to clean stains on surfaces in your home. Everything from your bathtubs, showers, toilets, and sinks, to your silverware, glasses, and floors can be streaked or spotted with hard water stains.
Not to mention that hard water makes it tougher to rinse soaps and detergents away, so it can lead to a buildup of soap scum. It can also require you to use more detergent in your laundry, costing you more money in the future.
How Can You Clean Hard Water Stains Yourself?
Now we get to the good stuff: how you can clean hard water stains yourself, using ingredients you probably already have in your house! All you need is vinegar, baking soda, fresh lemon juice, and a spray bottle.
On most surfaces:
- Mix 50% vinegar and 50% water in the spray bottle
- Spray stains and let sit for 5-10 minutes
- Rinse, and wipe the surface clean to avoid more stains
On tougher stains:
- Combine baking soda and vinegar until it forms a paste
- Cover stains with the paste and let sit for 15 minutes
- Scrub until the stain is gone
- Rinse and wipe clean
On faucets and fixtures with scale buildup:
- Using a spray bottle, spray lemon juice directly onto scale buildup
- Let sit for a few minutes
- Wipe faucet clean and run water for a few seconds
- Repeat as needed until all mineral deposits are gone
Why Should You Install a Water Softener?
Now that you know how to clean up after your hard water stains, what can you do to prevent more stains in the future? You can install a water softener! Water softeners remove hard minerals from your water, and:
- Improves the look and feel of clothes, skin, and hair
- Makes your water using appliances last longer
- Improves your water pressure
- Keeps your surfaces free from stains!
No one wants their mirrors, tubs, dishes, or clothes to stay looking (or actually being) dirty after they’ve cleaned them.
Don’t let these secrets be secrets any longer- share this article with all your friends today!
Remember that when you’re ready to put an end to hard water in your home, you can call Heidler, Inc. at (410) 268-7191 for water softener installation in Annapolis, MD.
