How To Remove Hard Water Stains From Pots And Pans
Hard water will probably stain your pans and pots at some point. This is caused by a high level of mineral content in water (not just “hard” water – staining can happen with any water) that can remain deposited on your dishes after you have washed your utensils and left them to dry.
Hard water stains on stainless steel pans is the worst, as the reflective surface can really highlight the stains. Therefore, techniques for how to remove hard water stains from stainless steel can be especially useful.
As the water evaporates, the minerals are left behind, staining your pan or pot with cloudy white stains. But the good news is that you can remove them by following simple, low cost, steps.
Table of contents
Hint: Both methods use acid…
Vinegar and water
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which will work wonders to dissolve the mineral deposits on your pots and pans.
White vinegar is a popular stain remover in the kitchen and comes in handy in cleaning hard water stained pots and pans. Start with equal amounts of water and vinegar and add them in the stained pot or pan.
Use white vinegar if you want to avoid the stronger smell of cider vinegar, but any vinegar will work. Heat the mixture on a stove and allow it to boil for some time. Remove and allow it to cool and wipe any spots that are still visible, and your pot or pan will be free of the stains. Wash it properly before putting it away.
Tang and dish soap
Tang contains ascorbic acid, which is a cleaning powerhouse.
Tang juice powder mixed with any dishwashing soap is a quick and easy way to get rid of stains caused by hard water.
Simply add about of teaspoon of tang to a soapy water mixture and wash your pots and pans normally.
Sponge or soft cloth
If your pot or pan is made of stainless steel, there is no need to use abrasives. Abrasives can scratch the surface of the metal, making it even more susceptible to different stains. Use a soft sponge or cloth to scrub off the deposits off gently.
The soft sponge, along with the above methods work well with most hard water deposits and especially calcium. However, in some cases, the stains are stubborn and just won’t go away quickly. Allowing your problem pots and pans to soak in either of the mixtures above will help a lot.
To avoid reaching such a point, avoid the stains from occurring by taking care rinsing and wiping your pots and pans clean instead of leaving them to drip dry.
