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Hardness is a measure of the concentration of calcium and magnesium salts in water. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines define elevated hardness as 200 milligrams of calcium and magnesium salts per litre of water.
Hardness in drinking water measures how well the water reacts with soap and some modern appliances such as dishwashers need a hardness measure when they’re programmed. Hard water tends to require more soap to get a good lather, while softer water will require less soap.
‘Hard’ water contains a lot of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which can build up in your toilet bowl over time, causing discolouration and staining. These stains are usually yellow or off-white in colour.
The stains are particularly common in toilets because water can often sit there for hours, which means the minerals have time to settle on the ceramic surface inside the bowl, making them more difficult to remove.
Hard water can also leave marks on shower screens or plants, because the minerals remain after the water has evaporated.
Many areas throughout Australia have 'hard' water, particularly if the water comes from groundwater supplies.
More common in rural and regional area, hard water occurs when natural minerals are dissolved as water moves through soil and rock and cannot be removed by filtration. The degree of hardness becomes greater as calcium and magnesium content increases.
Firstly, it’s important to make sure your bathroom is well ventilated as treatments for these stains often involves strong chemicals. Open all windows and doors before starting. It is also a good idea to wear gloves during the process.
Most toilets will have a special glazed coating on the porcelain surface. Once this coating wears off, it exposes the porcelain beneath. Older toilets, especially if they have been cleaned with abrasive cleaners, can have the glazed coating compromised. If this has happened, you typically cannot remove them because porcelain absorbs stains into its surface.
For modern or relatively new toilets, there are a number of solutions you can try to remove hard water stains. Many people find great success with industry favourite, Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser & Polish Powder, which is great for stubborn stains on porcelain. Simply apply it to the affected area and then scrub straight away to clean.
Another popular solution is to use cleaning vinegar and baking soda. For best results, sprinkle baking soda generously within the toilet bowl, adding a good splash of vinegar. The water will froth and bubble when this happens. Allow to settle for a few minutes and then try to scrub the affected area.
Borax also works as a stain remover, with or without the addition of vinegar. Apply borax to the stain and let sit for 10 minutes before cleaning off the residue.
Regular cleaning of the toilet is the first step for preventing the occurrence of stains. We would recommend a good scrub at least weekly, accompanied by a fortnightly clean with a commercial toilet cleaner.
This can be supplemented with a quarterly deep clean using the method shown above.
Take a look at our great range of cleaning products to help you clean your home.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
