Best Hard Water Stain Remover | Expert’s Selections For 2021

best hard water stain remover

Are you in need of a good way to clean kitchens, bathrooms, and other rooms by removing tarnish and restoring certain objects to their former glory. If you happen to notice mirrors fogging up, and metallic objects looking like they have been frosted over, you don’t need to replace them; all you need is a good water stain remover.

Water stain removers are cleaning products that remove irregularities from surfaces of objects that no other cleaning product is capable of removing. Sinks, floors, countertops and much more will look brand new.

Which water stain remover should you buy? Thankfully, we have looked at six impressive water stain removers, and will analyze them at your convenience. At the end of our review, we will declare one of them out most recommended to you, the consumer.

Top Rated Hard Water Stain Remover Comparison Chart - 2021

Image

Name

Size

Application Method

Price

CLR Rust Remover (Pro)

1 gal

Pour

Bio Clean Hard Water Stain Remover

20 oz

Squeeze

3D Eraser Water Spot Remover

16 oz

Squeeze

Bio Clean Water Stain Remover

40 oz

Squeeze

CLR Bath and Kitchen Cleaner

26 oz

Spray

Bring It On Cleaner : Best Hard Water Stain Remover (Editors Choice)

32 oz

Squeeze

7 Best Hard Water Stain Remover Reviews

1. CLR Rust Remover (Pro)

The first water stain remover is from CLR. The label looks appealing, but not too flashy. At the same time, it can be confusing to tell what it is you are buying until you really take the time to read every word.

“CLR PRO” is placed on the left edge of the label, and the color choices remind us too much of the Bulgarian flag.

The initials “CLR” do not really stand for anything regarding the company that created this product, but rather all the things that it helps to remove: Calcium, lime, and rust.

This product is good for cleaning various different materials including steel, ceramic, glass, chrome, cement, brick, stucco and much more. It can get rid of even hard traces of lime and calcium with the most minimal of effort.

In everyday situations, CLR Pro can be used with washing machines, coffee makers, toilets, dishwasher and garages. It is also compatible with power washers.

CLR Pro is also biodegradable, and non-toxic. This water stain remover is safe to use for plumbing and use outdoors. It will not harm any pipework or greenery like other products would. It is a USDA certified product that meets EPA product protocol.

Furthermore, you can buy this water stain remover by the gallon, so there is much more than you need for just one use or project that you are looking forward to.

There also available a most popular remover with 28 ounces from CLR. It called CLR Calcium Lime Rust Remover. This product will be the best cleaner for hard water stains for your bathrooms or kitchen-related surfaces.

This is a powerful product, indeed. However, with a product that works extremely well, you should expect to pay a lot for it. Unfortunately, don’t expect to find a decent discount on this water stain remover online.

Pros

  • Works on many different materials
  • Nicely designed product
  • Safe for the environment
  • Comes in a big container

Cons

  • Costs a lot of money
  • The label is hard to read

2. Bio Clean Hard Water Stain Remover

This product from Bio Clean may be available in 20 ounces, but it can restore many different things in the home back to their luster. In the label, it shows a picture of how it works, and as you could tell, it works incredibly well.

This water stain remover is capable of removing any and all irregularities such as water stains, lime, mold, calcium, mildew and rust; even if they are etched in surfaces for years. Nothing is left behind, and surfaces look brand new.

You can clean various materials with this product, including shower doors, faucets, mirrors, windshields, toilets and many more.

It also works with various different materials from tile and grout to brass. There is not a material that you cannot use with this (other than wood, of course).

Bio Clean’s water stain remover is also safe for the environment. It is an abrasive based compound with no chemicals or artificial ingredients included. This is a good-smelling product with no foul or strong odors to be found.

Furthermore, it can seal and protect from further tarnish for a good three months. You can apply this to all your belongings four times a year and never experience water stains.

Pros

  • Works on many different materials
  • Effects can last for months
  • Safe for the environment
  • Has a pleasant scent

Cons

  • Comes in a 20-ounce bottle

3. 3D Eraser - Water Stain Remover for Car

This water stain remover is brought to us by 3D. It is known to be an “eraser” over a water stain remover. The packaging looks very sleek, and it appeals most to passional car owners who want a car that is flaw-free and shiny.

This product is specifically used for cars, boats and other vehicles. How well it works on other objects in or around the home is still a mystery to us. 

It will clean surfaces that are made of metal and glass, and it is also safe to use on cars regardless of what color it is. With that said, do not expect the paint job to be ruined at all.

How it works is that you spread it around with a cloth or towel. After doing so, rinse it off with water. If you leave it on the glass for longer than a minute, the product could etch it permanently. It is a mild-based acidic. Even, so, it is made of 100 percent all natural ingredients.

Like Bio Clean’s first product, this product only comes in a small bottle; 16 ounces to be precise. Since you are using this especially on cars, you can only clean a certain car three or four times before you need to buy a new bottle.

Pros

  • Safe for the environment
  • Safe to use on painted items

Cons

  • Can be harmful to glass if not handled properly

4. Bio Clean - Best Shower Door Cleaner

Bio Clean also has a 40-ounce version of their hard water stain remover. The only difference is that you get a large container that has twice the product. It can unfog the same mirrors and untarnish the same tile.

There are no further differences between the two stain removers from Bio Clean, other than their size and price. This stain remover can clean all the materials that the other remover can, just as effectively. 

The value of purchasing the 40-ounce bottle, in our opinion, is an option that you should definitely consider. You would essentially be paying for two bottles at once for just several dollars more.

However, if you don’t need to buy that much stain remover right now, it would also make sense to save money and shelf space by getting the 20-ounce bottle.

Pros

  • Comes in a 40-ounce bottle
  • Effects can last for months
  • Safe for the environment

Cons

  • N/A

5. CLR Fresh - Best for Kitchen Sinks

This water stain remover is a viable companion for cleaning kitchens and bathrooms. It comes in a bright, yellow spray bottle so that you don’t need to spread or rub it in the object with a cloth or towel. The label is also fairly easy to read. At 26 ounces, this is a decent size for a water stain remover.

You can remove many irregularities from surfaces, including calcium, lime, water stains, soap scum, dulling film, dirt and rust.

You can use this product on various materials, and it can be used to clean toilets, floors, glass, sinks, countertops, you name it.

This product does not contain any bleach, phosphates or ammonia. It is certified by the EPA as a safe solution for any and all household products. This product is also biodegradable, so that it will not harm plant and animal life.

However, the smell that comes from it is anything but pleasant. The odor can be strong as you walk outside the room where you have used the water stain remover, and this should not be your first choice if a pleasant smell or no smell at all is your top priority.

Pros

  • Comes in a spray bottle for easy application
  • Safe for the environment
  • Works on many different materials

Cons

  • Has a very bad smell

6. Bring It On Cleaner : Best Hard Water Stain Remover for Tubs

The Bring It On Cleaner comes in a simple, white bottle. The label is simple, but it contains a lot of information about what it cleans, how it works, and how to contact the company.

This bottle contains 32 ounces of cleaner, so you are getting a lot for what you pay for.

There is a laundry list of what you can clean with it on the back. There are many uses for this cleaner, and we are certain that there are many people who are looking to clean one thing or another with a serviceable water stain remover.

It can clean pots and pans, outdoor grills, coffee makers, patio furniture and many more. If you are looking for an all-purpose cleaner, all that you have to know is that it removes stains from metal, tile and stone.

This product contains oxygen bleach. You likely associated bleach as being harmful and toxic, but that is mainly from chloride bleach. Oxygen bleach is not toxic and safe, so no harmful chemicals are used to make this water stain remover.

Furthermore, it comes with a fresh mint scent. After using this to clean a bathroom, it will smell as if you just checked into to a ritzy hotel room.

While this product is easy to use, it will take some for it to be effective. This is not a product that you spread on, wipe off, and rinse. You need to allow it some time for the effects to set in so that the oxygen bleach can penetrate dirty exteriors. No timetable has been provided, but a good ten minutes is usually how much time is needed. It can be the best product for hard water stains for multipurpose use.

Pros

  • Comes in a 32-ounce bottle
  • Safe for the environment
  • Has a pleasant scent

Cons

  • Needs time in order to work

7. AMAZ 11107 - Best Stain Remover for Glass

Remove the toughest of stains, whether it’s hard water spots, oxidation or mineral deposits with an easy to use water stain remover from A-MAZ. If you want great results fast, go with the AMAZ 11107. It’s a biodegradable product the doesn’t contain any acids, bleach, chlorides, or any of the toxic stuff.

You can use it on bathtub enclosures, pool areas, glass doors, stovetops, toilet fixtures, patio, and other places where you have water stains. Since it doesn’t use any hard chemicals, it is safe to use in non-ventilated areas without having to wear any protective equipment such as gloves or masks. 

It’s fragrance and dye-free, and because of its deep-cleaning properties, it can easily penetrate the surface material and remove any unwanted stain restoring whatever you are cleaning back to its original quality. Above all, it’s a cheap solution.

If you have very hard water and stains that are stubborn, go with this one. It will only take a minute or so to remove any water stains that you have with little to no effort. Just make sure to use a sponge or a scrub to spread the formula. After that, use a dry, clean towel.

Pros

  • Non-toxic formula
  • Biodegradable & safe to use
  • Dye and fragrance-free

Cons

  • Need to scrub properly

How to Chose The Best Hard Water Stain Remover

All of these products are effective in removing stains from any surface, so the decision to choose one product over the others is a hard one. If you are looking to make the decision on your own for which is the best hard water remover for you, here are a few things to consider about how to choose one.

Size

Water stain removers come in many different size capacities, from a couple of ounces to a couple of gallons. Smaller bottles and containers are small and compact, which are great for storage. A 16-ounce bottle will not run out quickly unless you tend to use the remover often.

Larger bottles obviously come with more of the product that you buy, and it could take years for the ingredient to run out. Larger bottles, however, are heavier to pick up and carry, and will take more space in storage. If you buy a large container of water stain remover, you will find a hard time to make room for it with all the other cleaning supplies underneath your sink.

Ingredients

One factor that is very important when choosing a water stain remover is to be extremely certain that the stain remover that you use does not harm the object that you are looking to clean. 

Some stain removers come with chemicals that are great for certain materials, but are harmful to others. Other stain removers are safe to use on most materials, such as stone and metal, but aren’t really the most powerful on either.

When looking at water stain removers, be sure to read the label carefully to know what you can and cannot clean with it. If you are looking for a powerful cleaner that can only clean one material well, be sure to not use it for any other surface.

All-Purpose or Specialty?

All-purpose water stain removers can be used in the home or in a commercial locale. These removers can be used to clean cars, floors, sinks, toilets, and many other objects. All purpose cleaners generally have safe, non-toxic ingredients.

Specialty water stain removers are only used to clean one material of thing. There are stain removers that are exclusive to cars; they can remove tarnish and can restore the beautiful body of your SUV or sedan.

Specialty water stain removers, however, are not meant to be used outside of what is intended. They might have chemicals or ingredients that can effectively remove stains from one material, but they might damage or not work well on another material.

Application Method

There are three ways in which you can apply water stain remover: By pouring it onto a rag, with a safety cap, and with a spray nozzle.

Some removers have caps that screw off, and you apply it onto your surface by pouring it on like a bottle of ketchup; that, or onto a cloth, rag or towel. From there, you spread the product around with your towel. This is the most traditional of methods used, but it may not be the best for many homeowners.

Some removers contain caps that come with lids. These caps reveal a small hole for the product to come out of, so that is easier to handle. 

You squeeze the bottle like toothpaste and the product works its way onto the surface or your cloth. Like the first method, you spread the product around with your cloth.

Then, there is the spray bottle method. The cap come with an attached nozzle and trigger. Pulling the trigger lets the product shoot out of the nozzle like a mist. Generally, you spray this product directly onto the surface that you want to clean. Spray bottles are only for products that are entirely liquid, however, so there is no such spray bottle that can shoot a thicker gel.

How to remove hard water stains?

The most common places of hard water stains are in the bathroom on glass, tile, metal surfaces, and porcelain. You can use regular household items like apple cider vinegar and baking soda to create a paste, but it won’t be as effective as using a dedicated hard water stain remover.

remove hard water stains from bathtub

Now, for this process, I will be using a water stain remover formula. There are plenty of good ones out there, just pick any one of them from the list provided in this article, and you will get the same result.

Things You Will Need:

  • A sponge or a scrub pad
  • A water stain remover formula
  • Clean, dry towel

The process is really simple. Start off by dipping the sponge or the scrub in a little water and then into the paste/formula. After that, apply the paste onto the stain.

To speed up the process, use a drill tool to spread the paste over a large area. You can also use an auto detailing drill brushes if you have one. Or, you can scrub by hand. After that, wait for a few minutes and use a dry, clean towel to wipe it off.

There also some resourceful tricks on wikihow on cleaning hard water stain, you can check it out.

Final Verdict


After careful deliberation, the best hard water stain remover that you should buy is the Bring It On Cleaner.

Our choices were narrowed down to Bio Clean and Bring It On Cleaner, considering that they fit within a certain budget, do a great job at cleaning, and have a decent size for each of them. What makes Bring It On Cleaner a better product overall, is the fact that they confidently tell you what you can use this product on.

If you are looking to remove water stains from pots and pans for example, you can see that the Bring It On Cleaner can clean them with no trouble. Not everybody is an expert in cleaning, and even if the Bio Clean water stain remover is capable of removing stains from cookware, not everyone can be sure of that. The Bring It On Cleaner is the true all-purpose cleaner.

About the Author Juan Williams

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