Cleaning your bathroom deeply, only to discover that it wasn’t done right and that the bathtub and shower still have orange stains. What a pain, I know. But now that I’ve got this article for you, you don’t have to be concerned about them any longer.
The naturally occurring iron and magnesium in your water supply are to blame for the orange stains in your bathtub and shower. The pink mold, which also produces these orange stains, is a contributing factor. However, getting rid of them is rather easy; all you need are some simple ingredients like water, white vinegar, baking soda, and more, which are all readily accessible.
In this article, I will go over in detail how orange stains in your bathroom occur and how to remove them step by step.
Read on to find out.
Causes of Orange Stains in Your Bathtub and Shower
The orange stains in your shower and bathtub are caused by naturally occurring iron and magnesium in your water supply and pink mold. Additionally, the bacteria that grow in moist areas also form orange stains.
Iron and Magnesium
There is a good chance that orange stains are caused by highly iron- and magnesium-concentrated water in your water line. Occasionally, these stains can be the result of a septic system that is not functioning efficiently.
When the iron-contaminated water is left to sit on top of leftover soap scum, the two substances combine to create a rusty orange deposit.
If you are on a well, your water may contain excessive iron and magnesium.
Pink Mold
Serratia marcescens is a type of bacteria that often naturally exists in water. After a shower, hard water residue that is left on the tub and wall leads to buildup on both surfaces.
Let me clarify for you that while the name suggests pink mold; in actuality, the stain is orange, which should put your confusion to rest.
Bacteria
Bacteria typically grow in moist environments. Bathrooms, which are already moist, and a bathtub, which is even moister, are likely breeding grounds for bacteria.
Bacteria will build in your bathroom if you don’t clean it regularly, leaving orange stains in your shower and bathtub.
What Issues Do the Orange Stains Bring About?
It all depends on what caused the orange stain in your bathroom. While the other causes will not cause any issues, the pink mold will. The Serratia marcescens bacteria pose health hazards that range from different infections to intestinal problems to respiratory conditions, and more.
How Can You Get Rid of Orange Stains in the Shower/Bathtub?
Here are some possible ways to easily get rid of orange stains in the shower or bathtub:
Lemon Juice and Water
This is the most typical DIY and will undoubtedly help you remove the orange stains. Take the actions outlined below.
- Squeeze lemons into a spray bottle.
- Fill the remaining space in the bottle with water.
- Spray over the orange stains using the spray bottle.
- A complete coating of the solution should be applied to the stains.
- Allow the solution to rest for 10 minutes.
- Scrub the affected area
- Rinse the area to ensure that it is clean.
Chlorine Bleach With Lukewarm Water
- Prepare a solution of lukewarm water and chlorine bleach.
- Dab a soft bristles brush into the solution, then scrub it onto the stains.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, scrub it once more.
- Finally, rinse it to get clean results.
Baking Soda and White Vinegar
- Fill a spray bottle with 2/4 white vinegar.
- Add ¼ water to the spray bottle.
- Spray the solution on the stains.
- Allow it to stand for roughly 15 to 20 minutes.
- After a while, sprinkle baking soda over the stains.
- Give the baking soda an hour to sit.
- After an hour, scrub the area to remove the stains.
- As the final step, rinse the area.
Bleach
If you want to get rid of the stains that are pink mold, using only bleach is a great approach. Here are the steps to take.
- Target the stains with bleach.
- Give the bleach 20 minutes to accomplish its job.
- Rub the stains with a scrubber, but be gentle.
- Rinse it out and you’re done.
Iron Out
Lastly, iron out is an alternative to DIY solutions. You can buy iron out, which is a rust stain remover, from a store and use it to remove stains quickly by following the instructions on the remover bottle.
How Can the Orange Stains Be Avoided in the First Place?
By wiping down the shower and tub to remove any moisture that would encourage the growth of bacteria, you can prevent the orange stains from occurring in the first place. Getting your hands on a stain-resistant tub is also a good idea, as is having a filtration system installed.
Dry After Use
The first thing you should think about doing after taking a bath or shower is wiping the area. You can use a wiper to wipe the water off the shower area. Conversely, you can remove water from a bathtub using a mop or a clean towel.
A clean area will not be a breeding ground for bacteria and will keep orange stains at bay.
Install Filtration System
With a filtration system installed, the water will be filtered before it gets to you, which is great because the water you get will be free of iron and magnesium this way. Your bathroom won’t suffer any damage from the clean water until you wipe it off before you leave.
Get a Stain Resistant Tub
Think about not having to worry about wiping off the water from your bathtub in the morning while you’re rushing late for work since you have a stain-resistant tub. Doesn’t it sound nice? You can make that a reality.
Purchasing a stain-resistant tub can be advantageous because it will not leave any orange stains on it. You can choose from a few options, including fiberglass and certain acrylic bathtubs.
Conclusion
It’s time to start maintaining your bathroom so that there won’t be any stains in the future. Even so, if they occur, you may return to this article and find all the answers for how to erase them.
Amos Christen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Drexel University — Philadelphia, PA. Since 2003, Amos has worked with top interior design professionals in this area, including architects and interior/graphic/lighting designers. As a skilled interior designer, Amos Christen is highly versed in fine arts and crafts and uses that to supplement his main area of expertise. He often publishes articles related to home décor on several websites, including Sprucetoilets.com, Sprucebathroom.com, and Mybesuitedhome.com. He also contributes to leading interior design magazines.