Stains On Tile And How To Remove Them

Why Are There Water Stains on My Tub and Tile?

Nothing is more relaxing than a long hot soak in a luxurious bath. However, the stained and grimy bathtub can detract from the experience and turn a relaxing soak into a stressful examination of the various stains marring your bathtub and tile.

These stains are caused and exacerbated by many various factors, and can make your tub look grungy even if you just scrubbed it.

Fortunately, many of these stains are very easy to remove with common household solvents, and if you have a particularly stubborn one, you can always look for professional help.

What Causes Water Stains?

Water stains on your tile or bathtub can appear for a variety of reasons, even if you follow a strict cleaning regimen. One of the most common culprits is hard water.

When a water chock full of natural minerals comes through your pipes and into your tub, it can leave a residue of those minerals behind, which results in the spotty, dingy look that you sometimes find on your clean glasses and dishes right out of the dishwasher.

These hard water deposits are resistant to soap and detergents and require special care. Bathtub stains may also be caused by mildew and soap scum, which can be more easily removed with common household cleaners.

How to Clean Hard Water Stains

Hard water can leave unsightly spots on clear glass, and unsightly brown or white stains on bathtub finish.

The bad news is that a lot of toilet bowl cleaners and other chemical solvents that have the power to etch the toilet bowl can be harmful to the finish of your plexiglass bathtub and eat away at it over time.

The good news is that many of these mineral deposits can be cleared right up with a treatment of simple household baking soda and white vinegar. To treat your hard water stains, simply apply baking soda liberally to the affected area, then spray with vinegar in a clean spray bottle until it forms a kind of paste. Leave this on the affected area for several hours before scrubbing it off with a gentle household cleaner.

How to Maintain Your Tile and Tub and Prevent Mildew and Mold Stains

Hard water isn’t the only thing that can leave unsightly stains on your bathroom and tile.

Many stains are caused by mildew, mold, and other microbial pests that thrive in the damp conditions of your bathroom.

For most of these organic stains, a simple household cleaner that includes bleach will almost instantly dissolve these harmful microbes, leaving you with a tub that is sparkling like new.

Perform regular bathroom cleanup to ensure that mold, soap scum, and other stains never get a chance to build up.

Trying to get rid of those awful stains in your Austin home? Call S & D Plumbing today and see how we can help!