How to Remove Well Water Stains

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By Giselle Diamond
eHow Contributing Writer

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A lot of people still use well water as the primary source of water in their homes. While well water is an inexpensive means of obtaining a resource all homes need, it proves problematic when it comes to staining. Well water often causes orange stains on clothes and in the toilet, bathtub and sink basins. But don't panic. Well water stains can be removed.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Bottle of lemon juice
Bottle of Resolution
Sponge
Pumice stone
Borax cleaning powder
Fabric safe rust remover
Washing machine
Laundry detergent
Oxy Clean or color-safe bleach
Disposable gloves
Bucket

Remove Iron Stains from Porcelain and Ceramic Tubs, Showers, Sinks and Toilet Bowls

Step 1

Don your disposable gloves to prevent the lemon juice and other chemicals from getting into any tiny unforeseen cuts and scrapes on your hands. Spray the Resolution cleaning mixture (which can be purchased at a hardware store) onto the well water stained surfaces. Allow the solution to sit for at least a couple minutes before wiping it away with the sponge.
Step 2

If a stain still remains, create a paste from the Borax cleaning powder and lemon juice. Rub the paste in a slow circular motion onto the well water stain, working the paste into the ceramic or porcelain. Fill the bucket with water and dump it into the tub, sink or toilet to wash away the paste after it has had a few minutes to dry. Use the sponge to wipe away any paste residue that remains.
Step 3

Use the pumice stone to wipe away stains on the porcelain or ceramic. Don't apply a lot of pressure while using the pumice stone; you don't want to leave scratches on the surface you are cleaning. Again, use a bucket of water to rinse away any residue left on the surface.

Remove Iron Stains from Washable Clothes and Fabrics

Step 1

Pour the contents of the lemon juice bottle into a large bowl and soak the well water-stained garment in the juice. If one bottle of lemon juice will not cover the garment, pour in another bottle. Allow the garment to soak for about 15 minutes.
Step 2

Rinse the garment thoroughly in a bucket of water, then run it through a washing machine with laundry detergent. Do not use a washing machine that uses well water for this step. Remove the garment from the washing machine and check for stains.
Step 3

Use a fabric safe rust remover if well water stains still remain on the garment or fabric. Follow the directions included with the fabric safe rust remover and launder again, this time using both laundry detergent and Oxy Clean or a color-safe bleach. If the garment is white, you may use regular bleach.