Orange stains aren’t a pretty sight in your shower, especially when it’s the first thing you come across in the morning while starting your day. Are you wondering what the orange stains are in your shower and how to get rid of them? Here’s your answer.
What Are Orange Stains in The Shower?
Understanding the root cause of orange stains in your shower can help you address and prevent them more effectively. There are two main culprits: high iron levels in your water supply and pink mold, each with distinct characteristics and causes.
High Iron Levels: Iron naturally occurs in water, especially in homes that rely on well water or groundwater sources. Over time, iron in your water can oxidize and combine with soap scum, leading to those unsightly orange stains in your shower. In addition to coming from natural sources, iron can also enter your water supply from corroding or rusting pipes in your plumbing system. Homes with older infrastructure are more prone to this issue, as aging pipes can release more iron into the water. The combination of moisture, soap, and iron creates the perfect environment for these stubborn stains to form.
Pink Mold (Serratia marcescens): Despite its name, pink mold is actually a bacteria that thrives in damp, humid environments. Showers, with their constant exposure to water and steam, provide the ideal breeding ground for pink mold. Poor ventilation exacerbates this issue, as the bacteria thrives in areas where moisture lingers for extended periods of time. If left unchecked, pink mold can spread beyond your shower, affecting other parts of your bathroom and even your health, making it crucial to identify and clean it promptly.
By recognizing whether your stains are caused by iron deposits or bacteria, you can take the appropriate steps to clean and prevent them, keeping your shower fresh and stain-free.
Do Orange Stains in Shower Cause Health Problems?
Orange stains in showers due to high iron levels aren’t a risk to your health. However, pink mold can be rather dangerous and cause gastrointestinal illness, bacterial infections, and much more. If you suspect the orange stains in your shower are due to pink mold, it is best to get in touch with a water treatment specialist.
How to Clean Orange Stains in Shower?
While orange stains in the shower can be a sore sight, it does not imply that you need to replace your tiles or other bathroom fittings. Even stubborn orange stains can be removed with simple DIY techniques.Â
Chlorine Bleach
- Mix ¾ cup of chlorine bleach with a gallon of lukewarm water.
- Use a soft bristle brush and dip it into the chlorine bleach and water solution.
- Using the brush, scrub your tile grout and other affected areas to get rid of orange stains.
- Let the water and chlorine bleach solution sit on the applied areas for 10 minutes.
- Scrub again and rinse with water.
Baking Soda Paste
- Create a paste by mixing 1 cup of table salt, 1 cup of white vinegar, and 1 cup of baking soda.
- Use a washcloth and apply the paste to the affected areas.
- Scrub the affected areas with an old toothbrush.
- Let the paste sit for five to ten minutes.
- Rinse off the paste with clean water.
White Vinegar
- Put undiluted white vinegar in a clean spray bottle.Â
- Spray the vinegar on the affected areas. If you do not have a washcloth use a washcloth; apply the undiluted vinegar to the orange stains.
- Scrub with a non-abrasive sponge or an old toothbrush.
- Rinse off with clean water.
Ammonia, Borax, And White Vinegar
- Make a solution with 1 gallon of lukewarm water, ½ cup of white vinegar, ½ cup of ammonia, and ¼ cup of borax in a bucket.
- Apply the solution to affected areas using a sponge or washcloth.
- Scrub using an old toothbrush or a non-abrasive sponge.
- Rinse off the solution with clean water.
Here Are Some Of The Best Products To Clean Orange Stains
Organic Orange TKO
Bring It On Cleaner Hard Water Stain Remover
Bioclean Hard Water Stain Remover
Stardrops – The Pink Stuff
How To Prevent Orange Stains In Shower?
The best way to get rid of orange stains in your shower is by preventing them from happening in the first place. Below listed are some of the ways to do the same:
Keep Your Shower DryÂ
Moist or wet areas are breeding grounds for bacteria. Also, there is a higher chance of having orange stains when water with high levels of iron sits in one place with soap scum for a long time. To avoid this, use a wiper to push out the water through the drain each time after having a shower. You can also mop the shower using a dry towel to keep the shower area dry.Â
Install A Filtration System
If you have high iron levels in your home’s water supply, it is time to install a filtration system to eliminate them. You can talk to an experienced contractor to determine the best filtration system for you.
Use a Water Softener
Hard water often contains high levels of minerals like iron and magnesium that contribute to orange stains. Installing a water softener can help reduce these mineral levels and prevent the buildup that leads to staining.
Clean Regularly with Vinegar
Natural cleaners like white vinegar are effective at dissolving mineral deposits. Wiping down your shower surfaces with vinegar at least once a week will help prevent orange stains from forming. Rinse thoroughly afterward to avoid any residue.
Avoid Using Bar Soap
Bar soaps can leave a soap scum residue that traps minerals, contributing to orange stains. Switching to liquid soap can minimize the buildup of soap scum, making it harder for stains to form in your shower.
Orange stains in your shower can be unsightly, but they are not permanent. Understanding whether the stains are caused by high iron levels or pink mold will help you address the issue effectively. By using simple DIY cleaning techniques and preventive measures like keeping your shower dry or installing a filtration system, you can keep your bathroom looking fresh and stain-free.
