Orange stains in your shower are one of the most frustrating things you will ever encounter as a homeowner. They look awful, and they are hard to clean most of the time. They occur frequently in bathrooms with hard water, poor ventilation, and high humidity.
If you are tired of constantly scrubbing away messy, reddish-orange stains, you don't have to worry. In this guide, you're going to learn precisely how you can stop those stains from happening in the first place.
This will keep your bathroom looking fresh and clean at all times. Let's break down exactly how the stains occur and the tactics you can use to remove them. We will also explore how you can stop them from ever coming back.
What Are Orange Stains In the Shower?
Orange stains in the shower often appear on your shower walls, grout, and tiles as well. They also like to lodge themselves around your fixtures. You will see some rusty streaks and rust colored patches.
This is especially visible in areas where water flow is frequent. These types of stains can result from a variety of causes. They may occur due to soap residue or bacteria. Another way they occur is through mineral deposits.
Understanding precisely what you're dealing with is one of the first steps in ensuring that you have the right cleaning solution for the problem.
What Causes Orange Stains In the Shower?
Orange stains can happen for a variety of reasons. However, some major factors contribute to it. Take a look at some of them below.
Iron and Magnesium in Water
The leading cause of any kind of orange stain in your shower is the high iron content in your water supply at any given time. When iron and magnesium are present in your hard water, they react with oxygen.
This will leave excess minerals that will settle on the surface and cause significant staining.
Pink Mold
Sometimes, that orange tint may not be due to minerals. It may be from bacteria. This type of pink mold thrives in damp areas, such as shower walls. It can appear very orange under certain lighting, and this can pose a significant health risk, including wood infections.
Bacteria from Moist Areas
Bacteria tend to flourish in very damp environments. If you don't have adequate ventilation, your bathroom will become a breeding ground for various types of microbial growth. This will lead to orange stains and pink or mildew patches.
Soap scum and soap residue provide a rich food source for airborne bacteria, exacerbating the problem.
How to Prevent Orange Stains in Your Shower?
If you take some proactive steps, then you're going to be able to stop those hideous stains before they even start to show up. Here's a look at how you can prevent stains effectively and keep your bathroom looking pristine.
Wipe the Tub Dry after Use
After each shower, make sure to use a microfiber cloth or towel to wipe down the tub, fixtures, and tiles. When you do this, you're going to prevent moisture and minerals from starting to settle and forming any of those unsightly stains that you will have to deal with. Make sure to keep a spray bottle of natural cleaning solution nearby in the shower, so you can do quick touch-ups as needed.
Filtration System to Remove Iron
You might want to consider installing a water softener system or even a shower filter as a more long-term solution to the problem. These systems will reduce iron, magnesium, and many other minerals before they even reach your shower.
This saves you a lot of hassle because it stops the problem before it even starts. Even if a complete water softener system or a shower filter is not in your budget at this moment, a shower head filter can make a significant difference.
Regular Cleaning Routine
Forming the habit of cleaning your shower at least once a week is something that should be a non-negotiable for you. When you use ingredients such as white vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda, you'll achieve some perfect results.
The fact is that regular maintenance can prevent soap scum, orange stains, and mold from settling in and causing your shower to look shabby and dirty.
Improve Ventilation
You can reduce moisture and discourage bacterial growth by simply improving the airflow in your bathroom. Buy an exhaust fan and use it regularly if you don't have any windows.
If you have windows, open them and place a small dehumidifier in the bathroom. Adequate ventilation will prevent the growth of pink mold and mildew in the room.
Choose the Right Products
Some body washes and even shampoos will contain dye and other chemicals. These can cause stains on surfaces over a period of time. If possible, opt for dye-free or eco-friendly personal care products.
This way, you will not leave behind any unwanted chemicals or residue that you will have to clean up.
How to Remove Existing Orange Stains?
If you're already seeing a lot of orange stains, then there's no need for you to worry about it. There is a way to get rid of them.
Lemon Juice and Water
Lemon juice contains citric acid, which is going to dissolve mineral stains in the bathroom. All you have to do is mix equal parts of lemon juice with warm water, then put it in a spray bottle.
You can then apply it to the affected area and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes. Use a soft scrubbing brush, as this will gently clean the surface without leaving scratches behind.
Baking soda and white vinegar
This combination is going to work wonders on soap scum in your bathroom, as well as stains. Simply sprinkle baking soda on any part of the stained area. You can then spray white vinegar on top and let it sit until it starts to fizz.
Gently scrub with a brush or sponge, then rinse with warm water. When you repeat this process as needed, it will completely remove orange stains.
Bleach for pink mold
If you are dealing with bacterial growth or pink mold, use chlorine bleach carefully on the affected area. Dilute the bleach with water using a one-to-three ratio in a spray bottle. You can then apply it.
Allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before you rinse it thoroughly. Be sure to ventilate the area and wear gloves when you are using bleach.
Iron out
If you have stubborn iron stains, consider using a commercial cleaning product, such as Iron Out, to address the issue. It's essential always to follow the manufacturer's directions when using a product like this and test it on small areas first to see the effect.
This solution is going to target those high iron deposits very effectively. However, it should be used with caution because it is one of the more potent chemicals.
Do Shower Filters Help Prevent Orange Stains?
When you have a high-quality shower filter, it will reduce iron, chlorine, and magnesium from your water. This will prevent minerals from bonding to your surfaces. You will avoid any long-term staining and residue buildup in your shower.
Using a filter like the AquaBliss Shower filter will improve your shower experience and help to protect your surfaces as well as your fixtures. Even your hair and skin can be damaged by hard water, and the filter helps prevent this.
How to Maintain a Stain-Free Shower Overtime?
For long-term prevention, consistency is key. Take a look at these tips and implement them to keep your shower clean and clear of all orange stains.
- Use a spray bottle or a vinegar solution every time you shower
- Make sure you dry your shower walls, floor, and doors after every use
- You should deep clean weekly with lemon juice or baking soda
- Try to replace your shower filter every 6 months
- Avoid using cleaning products that contain harsh chemicals.
- Ensure good ventilation by keeping your windows open and having an exhaust fan handy.
Keep Your Shower Spotless With AquaBliss
If you have been struggling with orange stains, recurring mold, or persistent soap scum, then you should know you're not alone. These problems often stem from high iron levels, lingering moisture, and bacterial growth. All of this can be easily solved by taking the right approach.
Here is your quick action plan:
- Install a shower filter, as this will reduce mineral buildup and protect your bathroom.
- Always use natural cleaning solutions such as baking soda, lemon juice, and white vinegar whenever you can
- Try to maintain a good cleaning schedule and dry all your surfaces whenever possible.
- Improve your airflow to help combat mildew, pink mold, and bacteria.
AquaBliss makes this very easy by stocking a complete line of premium shower filters designed to remove contaminants, iron, and hard water, all of which help tackle orange stains.
Our filters are effortless to install and affordable. That is why they are the best choice for your shower.
