Approximately 85 percent of American households live with water that is packed with minerals (a/k/a hard water). Per the USGS, hard water is defined as water that is “…high in dissolved minerals, largely calcium and magnesium.”
And while there are some commercially available cleaning products that will tackle hard water stains, they can be caustic to deal with, not to mention the impact they can have on the environment.
Fortunately, there are less harmful ways to deal with hard water stains and build-up such as using cleaners that are made from all natural ingredients.
And the bonus is, these materials are not only easy to find, but you may already have some or all of them in your home right now!
Daily cleaning
There’s no need to waste money on buying a daily shower spray when you can so quickly and easily make your own!
Here are a couple of recipes that you could probably make right now!
1. Diluted vinegar
Cheap, non-toxic, and effective, vinegar works well as an everyday cleaner.
- ◆ ½ cup vinegar
- ◆ 1 ½ cups water
- ◆ 5 drops essential oil (optional) – (if you don’t like the smell of vinegar)
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle, then shake before applying to the walls, floor and doors of your shower and tub. It’s also safe to use on shower curtains.
You don’t need to rinse or wipe down the surfaces, just let them air dry. Store your spray bottle in a cool, dark place and remember to shake well each time you use it.
A gentle, yet effective cleaner, vinegar is safe for use on fiberglass, ceramic or porcelain tile, vinyl, glass and acrylic showers and tubs.
The vinegar will help prevent grime and bacteria build-up and fight odors. In addition, essential oils such as thyme, cinnamon, oregano or tea-tree offer anti-bacterial protection as well.
2. No Vinegar Spray
If you prefer not to use vinegar, you can tweak the recipe above by using rubbing alcohol instead of vinegar.
This cleaner can be used on natural stone, granite, marble and quartz surfaces.
- ◆ ½ cups isopropyl alcohol (70% or stronger)
- ◆ 1 ½ cups water
- ◆ 5 drops essential oil (optional) – to boost the antibacterial properties of your cleaner and/or mask the alcohol smell
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle, then shake before applying to the walls, floor and doors of your shower and tub. It’s also safe for use on shower curtains.
You don’t need to rinse or wipe down the surfaces, just let them air dry. Store your spray bottle in a cool, dark place and remember to shake well each time you use it.
Tough stains
Sometimes it takes more to cut through soap scum, mold and/or hard water stains. That’s when you bring out the more powerful cleaners.
3. Power Cleaning Solution
- ◆ 1 to 2 cups Dawn dish soap
- ◆ 1 to 2 cups white vinegar
In the microwave, heat the vinegar until it’s hot.
Next, pour it into a spray bottle.
Then, add Dawn soap to the bottle and shake the bottle gently until the ingredients are mixed well.
Spray generously to the floor, walls and doors or curtains of your shower.
Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour, then scrub (if necessary) and rinse well.
Tip: Open the bathroom window and/or turn on your exhaust fan before applying, as this solution is strong-smelling.
Note that the vinegar smell will dissipate after rinsing, so don’t worry about a lingering vinegar smell after you’re done.
This solution works so well because the soap helps the vinegar to cling to surfaces, giving it time to work its magic.
4. Hydrogen Helper
Another powerful cleaning option is the use of hydrogen peroxide combined with baking soda.
- ◆ Baking soda
- ◆ Hydrogen peroxide
- ◆ Small bowl
Place about ¼ cup of baking soda to a small bowl. Then, add just enough hydrogen peroxide to create a paste.
Then, scoop some paste with your figures or a sponge and apply to stubborn stains or dirt, gently scrubbing until clean.
5. Baking Soda Cleanser
Another great use of baking soda is to combine it with liquid dish soap.
- ◆ 1 to 2 cups baking soda
- ◆ 2 to 3 drops liquid dish soap (e.g. Dawn)
Apply to the shower floor, walls and doors (or curtains) to remove stubborn soap scum or hard water deposits, scrubbing with a brush or sponge before rinsing.
6. Mold exterminator
Mold and mildew are the nemesis of any shower or tub.
Good ventilation is key to preventing mold and mildew formation, but if you’ve already got it, here are some natural shower cleaner recipes that can help remove what’s already taken hold.
- ◆ ⅓ cup ammonia
- ◆ ¼ cup white vinegar
- ◆ ½ cup baking soda
- ◆ 7 cups water
Combine in a spray bottle and shake well.
Spray the shower and watch the vinegar and baking soda create a nice foam that will get to work cleaning your surfaces.
Let the mixture sit for five to ten minutes, then wipe everything down with a damp cloth.
Next, rinse everything off and reveal beautiful, squeaky clean surfaces.
7. Natural scrubbing power
Finally, no matter how clean your shower and walls, if your shower doors have built-up hard water deposits and/or soap scum, your entire shower can look dirty.
Use this powerful, yet gentle abrasive to remove stubborn hard water stains and soap scum build-up.
- ◆ Mix baking soda and water into a thick paste.
- ◆ Apply to your glass shower doors with a sponge.
- ◆ Rinse well.
- ◆ Wipe down the glass and surrounding framework with a lint-free cloth that won’t cause streaks.
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