Hard water stains on concrete

Question

Our shower has a concrete floor and we have hard water. The concrete is stained brown but is turning white. I've tried multiple concoctions to clean but nothing works. CLR stripped the stain. I've purchased Borax to try cleaning. Any ideas?

Johnchip · Answer

Muratic acid may be your last resort. But whatever your solution. I would reseal multiple times with the best sealers you can find, as this problem is not going away and will get much worse with time as you keep having to clean away any protection you have now.   It may not be a bad idea to contact the installer and ask for his advise and/or other contractors who do similar installations and ask for advice. Maybe even pay for a permanent proper fix.

William · Answer

First try cleaning the surface with 1 lb of TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) to one gallon of warm water ... wet down with it, scrub bristle brush, allow to sit about 10 minutes keeping it wet with the cleaning solution, then rinse throughly. I recommend that you reseal (typically require resealing every 1-2 years). Do you have hard water?  If so, hard water contains high amounts of magnesium, calcium and various other disolved minerals and will not be clearned away/removed using TSP (or other methods you have tried).  For hard water (mineral deposit removal) uggest that you scrub the surface using a product such as Simple Green Lime Remover, rinse thoroughly, allow to dry then reseal (there are also other lime and mineral deposit removers such as CLR, etc). Note: if you have hard water; you might want to consider an in line water softner to eliminate the hard water deposits; or, a water softener system for your entire house (will save mineral & lime build up in your pipes, faucets, less soap for washing, eliminate the build up on your shower doors of minerals/lime, etc.  If you don't install one of these (in-line or house water soften system) you need to routinely clean your surface before it gets to this point, using bottled or distilled water for your final rinse.

Linda Keser · Answer

A pro tile worker could steam clean it for you.

SHARE · Answer

It sounds like it might be iron in the water causing the stains.  Our water is full of iron oxide and I have to use Iron Out.  I get mine at Menards but any of the big box stores would probably have it.    I would plug the drain and mix 1 cup for each gallon of water you want to put in to cover the entire base.  Let it set according to the directions.   Then rinse thoroughly .  Good luck.   I used to plug the drain and use bleach on my shower but  have used this when it get worse.

Carole · Answer

Steam!

Lauren Mathews · Answer

I use Tub and Tile cleaner from Melalueca....use it full strength and let it sit overnight. I had a similar issue with stained tile in the shower, and I tried everything! The Tub and Tile Cleaner was the only thing that worked.

Lynn Murphy-Picker · Answer

I recently  tried the liquid spray version of 'Iron Out' with amazing results. No scrubbing. Spray on...rinse off.

Connie Williams · Answer

IVE GOT SAME PROBLEM I USE !!GO TO DOLLAR STORE OR DOLLAR GENERAL BYE WHATS CALLED THE WORKS, OR TUB, TILE SHOWER CLEANER THE WORKS IS IN BLUE BOTTLE AN THE OTHER ONE IS I. WHITE BOTTLE WITH GREEN WRITING ITS ONLY A DOLLAR A BOTTLE. THEN AFTER YOU DO THAT ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS USE COMET INBETWEEN THAT IF NEEDED. LIGHT TO LITTLE SCRUBBING IS REQUIRED.

Randy Garrison · Answer

are you on well water, if so the stains are minerals in the water. Looks like the iron out folks are on to that, too.

Tammy Blankenship · Answer

Thanks for all the suggestions

Tammy Blankenship · Answer

Using some of the suggestions given

Patricia Ramos · Answer

plain vinegar on it leave for a few hours scrub and rinse

Kimberley Mouser · Answer

Is it possible to paint the floor with concrete paint (you can even make it look like tiles) and then give it really good clear sealer over the top.
This will give you a brand new looking shower floor and by giving it a couple of coats of sealer it should be easier to clean in the future.

Nat freeman · Answer

Take baking soda and add lemon and vinegar.Leave it for an hour and wash.

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Hard water stains on concrete

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Hard water stains on concrete

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