How do I take off hard water from my tub?

Amy Burlingame
by Amy Burlingame

Here’s my issue I have been living in the same apartment building for 18 years and I have a tub that deals with hard water on a daily basis. What is the best way for me to get my tub white and get this hard water disaster off of my tub ???

.I cannot get this white and I cannot get the stains out of my tub.


HELP!!!!!!

  21 answers
  • Sara Sara on Aug 03, 2018

    In Australia you'd use CLR calcium lime and rest remover, to remove the hard water marks. Good luck from down under

  • 2dogal 2dogal on Aug 03, 2018

    Try a product called CLR to remove the stains.

  • Jessica Anne Haley Jessica Anne Haley on Aug 03, 2018

    I used CLR for years and it works great! lately I have started to get concerned about my pipes however and switched to a less caustic cleaner. My home is a pretty old brick house so underground pipe trouble would be costly and using less toxic cleaners isn’t so bad if they work. Here is what I use

    1 part dawn dish liquid

    3 parts vinegar


    for really tough stains you can heat the vinegar to give it a little extra power


    pour the dawn in to a spray bottle then add your vinegar and swirl around to mix. You don’t want to shake this there will be suds everywhere!


    Spray it on your stains and let let it sit for a while on tough stains. 30 min or so then use a scrub brush and brush away the stains. You can repeat if necessary. Follow up by using the mixture daily or every day and it should keep your problem at bay! I have a stone shower and if it works on that porous surface it should work great for you! Hope this helps out!

  • Kelly Kelly on Aug 03, 2018

    Norwex has a product that will help with this

  • Ang33858399 Ang33858399 on Aug 03, 2018

    YES. I WILL TRY IT!

  • Erica Ray Erica Ray on Aug 03, 2018

    I use a cleanser called Bar Keeper(wear gloves and rinse well it is toxic ) you can get at most hardware stores and a steel wool scrubby , if looking for a environmental friendly version of cleaner - vinegar and baking soda should work, hope this helps

  • Baxter Baxter on Aug 03, 2018

    I use Vinegar&Dawn mixed in equal parts for most everyday cleaning. But I have to say that Vinegar&Dawn won't get those set-in stains out of that tub. Try OdoBan, CLR Pro or BarKeeper's Friend (available at home improvement stores or online) and use Mr. Clean sponges and a stiff brush to scrub out dirt and stains. Stains that deep will require some muscle. After it's all clean, use a daily tub/shower cleaning spray after each use to keep it clean. Good luck!

  • LoStNFOuNdMyDoGs LoStNFOuNdMyDoGs on Aug 03, 2018

    I have the same issue with hard water and rust! As Erica Ray stated, Bar Keepers Friend works extremely well. It is a powder cleanser, similar to Comet. However it is much stronger and contains oxalic acid, you will definitely want to wear gloves. I start by making a paste using the Bar Keepers Friend and water. If your tub is made out of fiberglass, which is more porous than cast iron or porcelain, do not let sit very long (container recommends one minute). However, I have found with my cast iron and porcelain it works better if you allow to sit until almost dry (about 5 minutes). Slowly start adding water and using the scrubber side of a kitchen sponge. Continue to add water and use sponge/scrubber until all hard water residue is gone. Then give your tub a good final rinse. You will not have to use much “elbow grease” if you let the paste sit first. I use this method on my tubs, sinks, toilets, and the inside of my washing machine. I love it! Good luck!

  • Colleen Colleen on Aug 03, 2018

    PEROXIDE PEROXIDE PEROXIDE!!!! Just did it yesterday looks brand new

  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Aug 03, 2018

    If I lived closer I'd come over to help. There are lots of products. Vinegar and warm water. Baking soda. Goo gone. Personally, I use Barkeeper's Friend in both the foam spray and powder cleanser. I use the foam spray on my shower stall, glass sliding door, and also my glass top stove. I use powder cleanser on my stainless steel sink. It shines! Works great for me. I think this will work well for your situation. It may take several attempts, but don't give up. Best of luck.

  • Leslie Leslie on Aug 03, 2018

    Like several people here, I've used CLR for years and love it. To take it up a notch I've begun using my cordless drill with a scrub brush attachment after applying the CLR. (Very inexpensive on Amazon.) My tub/shower wall isn't only clean but the power scrubbing makes it shine just as glossy as new.

  • Wanda Wanda on Aug 03, 2018

    My go to for cleaning the tub is always Barkeepers Friend. I've used both liquid and powder. It it great!

  • Frotzie Frotzie on Aug 06, 2018

    I had the same problem except a textured bottom tub. I read somewhere to use non-fuming oven cleaner (you can find a cheap one at Walmart) spray and leave it sit overnight. The next day scour with Soft Scrub or Super Clean and a scouring sponge. Rinse and then remove remaining with one of those Mr. Clean white sponges. It took away grime that had been there over 14 years.

  • Candy Candy on Aug 06, 2018

    Barkeeper's Friend and a very, very fine sandpaper will do it.

  • Catherine Deirdre Rodden Catherine Deirdre Rodden on Sep 04, 2018

    If you are renting for that long, you should be able to have your landlord replace the tub at no cost to you. Review your lease and mention that if you moved out, the landlord would most likely have to pay for replacement anyway.

  • Sharon Sharon on Sep 04, 2018

    First you need to get that lime deposits and soap scum off..... I would do the Easy Off Fume Free Oven cleaner in the blue can and give it a good spray. Open the window and put the exhaust fan on. Wear kitchen rubber gloves and get a white magic eraser. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L10jCtHCcmY

    Then follow-up with Gel Gloss that will shine the tub and prevent scum from sticking... https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=gel+gloss+cleaner+and+polish&sprefix=Gel+Gloss%2Caps%2C277&crid=FMDXIA6NI7GW I would put some of those abrasive strips on the bottom afterwards or a bath mat to prevent slips.

  • Deb K Deb K on Jul 16, 2023

    Hi Amy, hope this helps you

    Mix half water and half white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the entire sink or tub until it's saturated. Let the vinegar and water work on the hard water stains for 20 minutes. Respray the stained areas and scrub them with an old toothbrush.

  • Bar Keepers' Friend or Cerama Bryte. I find they're they least toxic of all of the cleaners and they work.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 26, 2023

    Clean and dry your bath after every use!

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Dec 09, 2023

    CLR will take off the hardwater stains.