As homeowners, we want our bathrooms to smell fresh and appear clean. However, if you have hard water, the mineral reactions can leave unattractive red stains that make it appear as if you haven’t cleaned your toilet in weeks. Don’t throw in the cleaning towel just yet since there is a solution to remove those unattractive rust stains from your sink, toilet, and tub.

These persistent stains aren’t always the cause of rust issues in your plumbing system or the water authority’s pipelines. Even though the water tastes normal and looks to be clear, any water with a sufficiently high iron level might leave these stains behind over time. If you reside in a location with a lot of subsurface iron deposits, that iron is most likely seeping into the groundwater and might potentially contribute to these bothersome porcelain stains.

Tough stains normally occur after a significant amount of contact between rusty water and porcelain, therefore you’re more likely to observe this in places where there is always standing water, such as your toilet bowl. If you see a brownish ring around the water line or brown streaks extending down from the outlets where water runs into the bowl, these might be rust stains that won’t come clean with regular toilet cleaning and a scrub brush.

The ridge surrounding the drain in sinks and tubs is the most common location for these stains to occur. If you have a dripping faucet, you may see brown stains just where the water drips.

You may require the assistance of a plumber in detecting and resolving the underlying problem. You’ll need to repair rusted pipes or a rusted hot water heater to stop the flow of rusty water. Installing a water softening system might help control the problem if it is caused by naturally occurring iron-rich water.

Cleaning those stains will be difficult since severe rust stains might eventually etch themselves into the porcelain over time. If you’re up for the task, try these tried-and-true remedies.

How to Remove Stains From Sinks, Tubs, and Toilets

Lemon Juice and Salt: Begin by preparing a thick mixture of lemon juice and salt and applying it to the corroded surface. Allow the paste to dry for several hours or overnight before beginning to scrape. Scrub the area with a toothbrush, then rinse with clean water.

A pumice stone is a natural and scratch-free alternative for your discolored porcelain surfaces. Simply moisten the stone and the damaged area and start cleaning gently. When dealing with fiberglass, avoid using a pumice stone since it will harm the surface. When dealing with stains on fiberglass, there are less abrasive alternatives to use.

Scrubbing Pad: For lighter stains, a scouring pad and a little elbow grease should do the trick. To remove stains from fiberglass, don’t use any abrasive substance since it will harm the surface.

Chemical Cleaners: A variety of chemical cleaners are available for removing rust stains from sinks, toilet bowls, and bathtubs. These cleansers oxidize the rust, making it easier to wash away the stain with a moist cloth. However, some of these cleaners include harsh chemicals that emit odors that many homeowners, particularly those with small children and pets, would like to avoid.

Caccia Plumbing can help you avoid rust stains.

Rust is an eyesore, and cleaning it up all the time may be tiring, but it can also cause major problems for your plumbing system. Contact Caccia Plumbing to discover more about how to deal with hard water issues and how to enhance your overall water quality. With filtration and water softening systems, we assist thousands of homes clean up their water. To get started, give us a call at (650) 442-1470 or fill out our online estimate form.