August 10, 2024 by Mulberry Maids
Outdoor surfaces on your property can take a beating, especially driveways and patios. One of the things that you may notice building up on these surfaces is hard water stains. These stains can be unsightly and annoying, making it that much harder to have a clean shiny outdoor surface. Whether you are getting ready to put your home on the market for a big move elsewhere, or just want these stains gone, luckily there is a solution!
As the best local experts in professional move out cleaning services we are here to make sure that your home is all ready for that big move. From our comprehensive move out cleaning to providing tips on making sure your home and outdoor spaces are clean as can be, we are here for you!
Read on to learn all about getting your outdoor surfaces free and clear of hard water stains.
Why do I have hard water stains on my outdoor surfaces?
Hard water stains develop when water deposits accumulate after mineral rich water evaporates off of a surface. Depending on where you live in the country, you may have very hard water that you are dealing with, which can affect outdoor surfaces such as decks and patios. This can make moving out of your home tricky, as it is one more thing on a long list that needs to be cleaned.
Hard water stains form by:
- Water runs over or pools on a surface and evaporates
- Minerals contained in the water are deposited onto surfaces when the water evaporates
- Calcium and magnesium are common minerals found in water, which create a white residue over time
- Minerals can also oxidize on a surface, creating a rusty residue that bonds on the surface
How do I clean hard water stains on outdoor surfaces?
While cleaning hard water stains on your outdoor surfaces may be a bigger job than when it is inside, depending on the extent of the staining, cleaning them up is a similar process.
There are a few different options to take, depending on your cleaning preferences. From store bought hard water stain removers to simple vinegar and baking soda, there are multiple options available for tackling these stains.
Cement and pavers:
- Apply a generous amount of cleaning vinegar to the stain, and let it set in for 15 minutes
- Apply another application of vinegar, and scrub the stain with a brush for a couple of minutes
- You can add baking soda to the vinegar mix for more abrasive scrubbing power
- If the stain is really stubborn, and the above steps do not work, you can try to buy a commercial hard water stain remover, such as Lime-A-Way
- Make sure to follow the directions on any commercial stain remover for your safety, as well as the safety of the surface that is being cleaned
- Start by sweeping off the stain to get rid of dust and debris on the surface of the stain
- Use a vinegar and baking soda mixture to tackle the stain
- Put a generous amount of baking soda on the stain
- Pour vinegar on top of the baking soda until there is a bubbling reaction
- Scrub the stain with a stiff brush
- Hose down the area to wash the leftover mixture away
- Do not use a metal wire brush when scrubbing the asphalt, as it can damage the top layer of the surface
Wood decking or outdoor furniture:
- There are multiple ways to try to tackle hard water stains on wood
- Start out with a simple vinegar and olive oil mixture
- Mix equal parts of vinegar and olive oil together in a bowl
- The vinegar will help to get rid of the stain, while the oil acts as a wood polish
- Wipe the stain with a cloth dipped in the mixture
- Wipe in the direction of the grain
- Clean the area with a fresh dry cloth
- Try a mayonnaise solution for water marks
- Dab some mayonnaise on a paper towel and apply it to the stain
- Put another paper towel over the mayonnaise, and let it set for several hours
- Wipe away the mayonnaise with a clean fresh towel
- Polish the wood as needed
- Use a hairdryer
- For water stains on your outdoor wood furniture that are very fresh, grab a hair dryer
- Simply turn on the dryer and hold it on the stain until it goes away
- Finish up by polishing the wood
- Start out with a simple vinegar and olive oil mixture
Vinyl siding:
- Vinyl siding can develop hard water stains from leaky hoses or sprinkler systems spraying water onto your home
- To remove the hard water deposits, try a vinegar solution first
- This should be gentle enough on your siding, while still providing plenty of power to break down the stains
- Apply vinegar to the stain, and use a soft bristle brush to scrub
- For really stubborn stains, you can soak a paper towel in the vinegar and try to stick it on the stain for a few hours
- Once the stain is removed, the spot will likely be much cleaner than the surrounding siding
- This is from the vinegar cleaning off other debris and dust, making the siding look new again
- If the rest of the siding needs a good cleaning, simply grab a bucket of soapy water, a brush, and your hose
- Work through each area of your siding
- Spray everything down first, then begin to scrub
- Depending on your home, you may need an extender pole with a brush on the end for hard to reach areas
- Spray everything down to finish up
- Spray everything down first, then begin to scrub
- Work through each area of your siding
Is it possible to prevent hard water stains?
While the development of hard water stains is more tied to the chemistry of your water, there are preventative measures that can be taken to help prevent the buildup of minerals and stains. The simplest thing you can do, which is easier on indoor surfaces, is to wipe up water and spills right away. This can alleviate the buildup of hard water minerals in the first place.
Another factor to help prevent the buildup, is to clean stains on a regular basis. For areas with a lot of moisture, such as showers, hard water stains will continue to develop regardless of what you do. By cleaning these areas regularly, the stains won’t have time to build up as much, and they will be easier to clean.
On outdoor surfaces, prevention can be a bit trickier. Hard water stains in hidden areas, such as on vinyl siding on your home will be hard to spot unless you are always on the lookout. Stains on other surfaces may be preventable though. For example, take a look at plant pots that are placed on a driveway or deck. Keep an eye out for stains developing on the surface around them. If you are having trouble with staining, you can try to put the pot on a saucer which can help to collect excess water that drains off of the pot before it hits your surface.
Similarly, take a look around hoses or other outdoor water features. Simply storing your hose on the grass versus on your patio or driveway may make a difference in preventing excess hard water stains, as water will drain into the grass instead of on your outdoor surface.
Move out cleaning services that go above and beyond every time!
At Mulberry Maids, we can proudly say that we give it our all for each and every cleaning we do. When you are getting ready to move, the last thing you need is a cleaning service that skimps on the details!
Because of this, satisfaction is always guaranteed. With our 100% happiness guarantee, there is nothing that you need to worry about with your next move in or out cleaning. So take a breather from moving to relax at the Village Green Pool and let us take care of your home cleaning.
Give us a call today to get on our schedule or visit our online booking page to book your cleaning in no time! Thanks for reading, and hope to talk soon!