If you live in the United States, there's a high likelihood that you have hard water which can cause stains in your bathroom fixtures. If you've been dealing with hard water stains for a long time, they will be more difficult to remove. However, there are ways to get rid of even the toughest stains in your toilet bowl.

What is hard water?

Hard water refers to water that contains high levels of minerals like magnesium, calcium, bicarbonates, and sulfates. When hard water dries, it leads to the buildup of minerals known as limescale, which can result in chalky white residue and rust-colored stains on sinks, showers, faucets, and toilets.

Are hard water stains permanent?

If hard water stains are not quickly removed, they can become permanent. Even a mild stain should be addressed promptly, as it becomes increasingly difficult to remove the longer it is left.

How often should you clean hard water stains?

You can use different cleaning products and methods to get rid of hard water stains and buildup quickly. Remember, the longer you wait, the tougher it becomes to eliminate the stains. It's recommended to clean them as soon as you notice them.

How to remove hard water stains from your toilet bowl

Two very useful and flexible household items are baking soda and vinegar. They can be used separately or together to clean laundry, eliminate pet odors, and get rid of tough water stains. Additionally, they are great because they don't contain hazardous chemicals or strong scents. If the smell of vinegar is bothersome, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.

• Pour 1 cup of vinegar into the bowl, making sure to cover all the stains. Use a toilet brush to swish the solution around and leave it to sit for about one minute.
• Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda over the stains, then pour an additional cup of vinegar on top. Allow the mixture to fizz and sit for 10 minutes.
• Scrub the bowl using vinegar and baking soda solution with the help of the toilet brush. You may need to apply some elbow grease but be cautious as you don't want to cause any scratches on the bowl.
• You should leave it as it is for 30 minutes and then flush it. If necessary, repeat the process for stubborn stains.

If hard water deposits are giving you a tough time, The Powerstone Pumice Stone Toilet Bowl Cleaner is another option. This nifty little cleaner is made of crushed and compressed glass, so it's abrasive enough to get rid of even the most stubborn stains without leaving scratches behind. All you have to do is wet both the stone and bowl, then use gentle strokes to scrub away the annoying deposits. And don't worry about replacing it anytime soon — these stones can be used over and over again until they eventually wear down!

How to prevent hard water stains

It's recommended to wipe down any wet surfaces such as glassware, faucets, sinks, and shower doors with a soft cloth around your house. Cleaning your toilet regularly can also be helpful, but hard water stains may still appear even with frequent cleanings.

Installing a water softener is the easiest way to prevent hard water stains instead of regularly wiping down fixtures and doing frequent cleanings. Water softeners typically operate with the use of salt, which must be periodically replenished. Salt is utilized to filter the water and eliminate calcium and magnesium minerals, preventing the occurrence of stains. Here at Duncan Plumbing, we have the latest technology using Plumber Choice Water's Flow-Tech. The Flow-Tech system has a unique induction method that treats all of the water in your home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The system induces a low-frequency signal that is pulsed several thousand times per second and propagated throughout your entire plumbing system. This electromagnetic signal reverses the charge on the minerals that are dissolved in the water. With flow tech, there is no need to remember to refill the salt. Simply activate the feature and leave.