Natural Cleaner for Hard Water Stains on Vinyl Shower Curtains

Water picks up minerals as it travels through the ground. These minerals have the annoying tendency to become caked onto our tubs, sink basins and even vinyl shower curtains. Unfortunately, water does not remove these stains as well as it deposits them. Here are some ways to naturally remove hard water stains from our vinyl shower curtains.

Fill a spray bottle with full-strength white distilled vinegar and spray it directly onto your vinyl shower curtain. Allow the vinegar to sit for a few moments (perhaps while you use that vinegar to clean the mirrors in the bathroom). Use a terrycloth washcloth for gentle scouring action.

Full strength lemon juice can replace or be mixed with vinegar as a hard water cleaner. Apply the lemon juice just as you would the vinegar and allow to sit while you clean away the hard water deposits on the shower head or sink basin. If you find that you would like to use a more abrasive natural cleaner, you can cut a lemon in half and dip it in salt. Use the salted lemon as you would a scouring sponge to clean away hard water stains from your vinyl shower curtain.

If the vinegar or lemon alone does not work well, try soaking your vinyl shower curtain in a solution of 1 cup baking soda and 1 gallon hot water (heat on the stove, not from the tap). Stir frequently until the solution is room temperature, spread out the curtain, and use your vinegar or lemon spray with a standard scrubbing brush for carpet or flooring. Wipe the vinyl shower curtain clean with a terrycloth washcloth. The baking soda will help to lift the hard water stains from the vinyl shower curtain.

Acids are exceptionally good at cleaning hard water deposits. This is why lemon and vinegar work so well. If you find that you would prefer to use something more harsh; sulfuric, hydrochloric, and sulfuric acids are all excellent for removing hard water stains. These acids are also toxic and should be handled with care. Use only according to package directions. You may want to test a section of the vinyl shower curtain with these chemicals before applying them to ensure that they will not cause any damage.

If you would prefer not to use these harsh chemicals, but find that the milder acids are not packing enough punch to remove your hard water stains, try one of the eraser-style sponges. These sponges have an abrasive that gently scours away stains, and may be useful in removing the hard water stains from your vinyl shower curtain. You can also try making a paste of cream of tartar and lemon or vinegar. Cream of tartar is an acid as well, and can help serve as a super-fine acidic pumice. Make the paste, apply, allow to sit, then rub aggressively with a sponge or washcloth.