In the plumbing industry, as in most industries, there are certain secrets that are kept from the public in order to keep the public needing the industry.
There are some in the plumbing industry who believe in keeping their secret “plumbing hacks” to themselves for this very reason, but we at Knight Plumbing, Inc. don’t believe in keeping you in the dark about a problem you could easily fix yourself.
That’s why we’ve gathered up information to share with you about cleaning up hard water stains, and how water softeners can improve your water quality!
Understanding How Hard Water Happens and What It Affects
Water becomes "hard" when there is an increase in the amount of calcium and magnesium in it. Hard water may not be necessarily bad for your health, but it can cause some inconveniences in your home life.
For example, hard water makes it more difficult for soaps and detergents to work, so you'll find yourself needing to use more detergent to do the same job if you have hard water.
If you have hard water, you may also notice that your hair lacks shine, and feels brittle, and your skin is dry or itchy. Another sure sign of hard water that can be very annoying is the soap scum and little spots and streaks hard water leaves behind on various surfaces of your home.
Cleaning Stains Left Behind by Hard Water
Those stains left by hard water on your bathtub, toilet, shower walls/doors, mirrors, glasses, and silverware can be tricky to get out; but that’s where our big secret comes in!
You can actually clean most hard water stains and mineral deposits with common household items like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice.
To remove tough stains from porcelain and metal surfaces, mix vinegar and baking soda until they form a paste. Smear the paste over your tricky stain and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
Then scrub the stain away, rinse, and wipe dry to avoid more stains from forming. You can also remove mineral deposits from your faucets by spray in them with fresh lemon juice, letting it sit for a few minutes, and wiping the faucet clean.
Install a Water Softener to Solve the Bigger Problem
While cleaning your hard water stains can get your home looking better, and it may even slightly improve your water pressure, cleaning alone doesn't take care of the bigger problem- your hard water.
In order to eliminate hard water completely, you'll need to install a water softener. With a water softener installed in your home, you'll notice that:
Now that you know all the trade secrets about dealing with hard water, we won’t swear you to secrecy. Please share the link to this article with everyone you know, and get the word out about cleaning up after hard water! For more information about water softener installation in Milwaukee, WI, don’t hesitate to call Knight Plumbing at (414) 420-0625.