How to Get Rid of Hard Water in Tucson

It’s no secret that the water in Tucson is naturally hard. And although it’s not unsafe to drink or use, the excess mineral deposits can cause a frustrating buildup of chalky white residue on your water appliances, plumbing fixtures, dishes, and even your skin and hair.

To remedy the problem, we’ll take a look at how to clean hard water buildup using:

Have white powdery buildup from hard water on your shower, sinks, washing machine, or other household appliances? You can purchase a hard water cleaning solution from your local grocery store or a big-box retailer for under $10.

“CLR” is a tried and true option for hard water cleaning (CLR stands for “Calcium, Lime, Rust”). But if you’re not sure, look for products that mention the ability to clean:

• Lime or limescale
• Calcium or calcium carbonate
• Magnesium or magnesium stearate
• Hard water deposits
• Mineral buildup
• Soap scum

Essentially, you want to find a cleaning product that can break down and dissolve the mineral deposits found in hard water.

Most chemical cleaners come in a spray form that you can use with a sponge to wipe off surfaces stained by hard water. However, you might need to dilute the most concentrated solutions with water to prevent surface damage while getting rid of buildup.

If you’re not keen on using chemicals in your home, some natural cleaning agents can remove hard water buildup.

Mix equal parts of water with a natural acid such as vinegar (white or apple cider) or lemon juice. Then, pour it into a glass or recycled spray bottle to use as a spray cleaner. Once you’ve sprayed down a surface, let it sit for 5-10 minutes so that it has time to dissolve the mineral deposits. Then, you wipe the surface clean and enjoy your newly deep cleaned surface.

Another natural method is to make a paste out of water and baking soda. Wipe some of the paste onto the stained areas, and then let it sit for a few minutes before wiping surfaces clean.

To double down on stubborn stains, you can use both an acidic solution and baking soda. Sprinkle some baking soda around the affected area, pour an acidic solution onto it (such as vinegar or lemon juice diluted with water), and then scrub away the hard water residue.

After you work so hard to clean off hard water buildup, you probably want to learn about preventative solutions, particularly for spaces that frequently use water (e.g., the bathroom or kitchen).

To prevent hard water in your shower, you can install a water softening shower head filter. Not only do these tend to remove chlorine, fluoride, and heavy metals, but they’ll also filter out minerals from hard water. A shower head filter can drastically improve hair and skin health, especially if your household has colored hair or sensitive skin.

You can also purchase and install a water-softening filter for your kitchen sink. The filter will keep out unwanted mineral deposits, and many portable options are quite affordable at around $100 and easy to install. Even if you already have a drinking water filter installed, a kitchen faucet filter will keep hard water buildup from staining your dishes and sink.

By and large, the best way to get rid of hard water is through a whole-home water softening system. The system will filter all water coming into your home. Installing a whole-home water softener near your main water will soften water from all water appliances, including your laundry machine and water heater, without needing to purchase individual showerheads and kitchen faucet filters.

Even better? You’ll never again have to clean hard water stains or be concerned about the health effects of mineral buildup on your hair, skin, or clothes.

A water softening system is well worth the investment for peace of mind, improved taste, convenience, and more.