How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Acrylic Tubs and Showers

Getting hard water stains out of an acrylic tub is extremely difficult if you don’t know what you are doing. You can spend forever scrubbing, but the stains will remain if you don’t follow the right steps. It is a frustrating feeling  that makes you want to just give up. But before you get too stressed about the potential of a total replacement, just take a breath. Most of the time, the tub is fixable. It is just covered in a layer of minerals. With some patience and cleaning products that you probably already own, you can get your shower or tub looking spotless again.

What Are The Spots I Am Seeing?

You probably think that these marks are dirt, but they are really just tiny rocks. Hard water is full of calcium and magnesium. Every time you turn the water on, the minerals start to build up into that white, chalky crust that you see. Depending on where you live, the water might be harder than in other regions, which is why you see these spots popping up almost immediately.

Be Careful With Acrylic

Acrylic feels good and stays warm, but it is way softer than the old porcelain tubs your grandparents have. If you try to clean it with just a sponge, you are going to create thousands of tiny scratches without even knowing it. For anyone who has looked into bathtub refinishing in Lehigh Valley, PA, you know that keeping that surface smooth is the goal.

Scrubbing the surface too hard actually makes the problem worse. Those little scratches are where the minerals go when you shower. The trick is to try and melt the minerals away rather than trying to get rid of them by scrubbing as hard as you possibly can.

It can be frustrating, but cleaning acrylic is about being patient with the stain removal process rather than expecting results after a quick scrub. If you find yourself scrubbing so hard that your shoulder starts to hurt you are just scratching the plastic and not doing anything to help the situation. If a stain is not coming out, it does not mean you should scrub harder; it just means that you need to give the vinegar another couple of minutes to set in and go to work.

Solutions You May Already Have At Home

If you have a bottle of vinegar laying around, you actually have the best tool for the job. Vinegar is acidic, it destroys the calcium but it won’t affect the plastic tub.

1. Put a little bit of vinegar in a spray bottle
2. Spray the stained spots 
3. Let the vinegar sit for at least 20 minutes. If you try to wipe it off right away, it won’t do anything. This is the part that most people skip. 
4. If a spot is still not coming out, try to soak a few paper towels in vinegar and stick them on the stain. Let it sit for a little bit, then come back and see if you can wipe it off.

Try Baking Soda for Extra Help

Sometimes even vinegar can’t fix the problem fully. Baking soda is a good alternative in this situation because it is tough so it can break up the minerals but soft enough that it won’t ruin the tub. Mix the baking soda with some  water. Apply the mixture on the stains, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then give it a gentle rub with a cloth. When you rinse it, the surface should feel smooth again.

Secret Killers to An Acrylic Tub

There are a few materials that will totally destroy the look of an acrylic tub, and once it is messed up, it is much more difficult to fix.

• Magic sponges: They seem like they work great, but they are actually rough like sandpaper. They will strip the shine off your tub before you even notice it.
• Sandy powders: Anything that feels like sand, like Comet or Ajax, is way too rough for acrylic.
• Acetone: Don’t bring nail polish remover near the tub. It can actually melt the surface.

Keep The Stains Away

The easiest way to clean a tub is to not let it get dirty in the first place. If you just had a shower refinishing in Philadelphia, you definitely do not want to be back at square one in only a few weeks.

• Use a squeegee: Take a minute after you shower and wipe the water off before it dries so the minerals can’t settle.
• Weekly spray: Keep a bottle of water and vinegar in the bathroom. Give the walls a spray once a week. It keeps the buildup of minerals from becoming visible.

Consistency is the key here. It is way easier to do a thirty-second to a minute clean every morning than it is to spend hours scrubbing away every couple of months. It is like when you are washing your car, if you let the grime sit for a year, it is a nightmare to clean, but a quick wash every once and awhile keeps it looking brand new with little effort

When Is It Time To Contact The Professionals? 

We have all been in a situation where a tub hasn’t been cleaned for months and vinegar just isn’t going to get the job done. If the acrylic feels rough like sandpaper or looks cloudy even after you attempt to clean it, the surface is most likely damaged. If that is the case, your best option is calling a professional. They can fix the damage and reseal things, which is way cheaper and less of a hassle to your daily routine than ripping the whole tub out. Contact us today so we can restore your tub or shower with a quick, affordable refresh.