[y0bailey]

I'm getting frustrated and I've been defeated. Our shower floor has black/dark tile, and I CANNOT get the water stains off of it. I've tried brute force, mineral build up products, soap-scum products, and just took a polisher w/ Stone and Glass scrub and made minimal improvements.

Here is what it looks like:


lion king buffalo


Anyone have any ideas or tips to get this out? Favorite products? I'm beyond frustrated and was planning on deep cleaning and fixing the grout in the shower this weekend...but I've hid a road-bump already.

 

[Windows on Wash]

Might want to try a straight acid wash in a small section to make sure it doesn't permanently change the tile.

 

[y0bailey]

I'll give that a crack, thanks for the response.

Any tips to prevent recurrence besides more daily cleaning? You think this is hard water staining?

 

[Windows on Wash]

Look at the mineral content of your water, get a softener, and squeegee the shower dry.

 

[y0bailey]

Look at the mineral content of your water, get a softener, and squeegee the shower dry.

After the acid wash should I re-apply any sealant product?

 

[SeniorSitizen]

i'll make a valid suggestion after the lion king buffalo link is removed.

 

[y0bailey]

i'll make a valid suggestion after the lion king buffalo link is removed.

It's with the free image host and I can't get rid of it. I'll upload it to another one if you have suggestions

 

[Dave Sal]

Have you tried CLR (calcium, lime, rust)? I'd guess that is calcium. CLR works well.



https://clrbrands.com/Products/CLR-Household/CLR-Calcium-Lime-Rust-Remover

 

[y0bailey]

UPDATE: I HATE THIS!

Things I've tried over the past few days.
#1-Baking soda paste and green scrub pads. Minimal improvement and I put some serious pressure on the green pad
#2-CLR soaked microfiber cloths, 100% concentration, sat for 15 minutes, followed by a hard scrub. Nada.
#3-Muriatic acid wash, 1:5 dilution, 5 minute soak, audible noise of it working. STILL LOOKS LIKE CRAP!

I would say I've made a 25% improvement with all of the above work.

Frankly, I don't care if your suggestion ruins my floor worse, because this is ugly enough I will either fix it or live with the destruction.


SO, let me have it! Anything else you would try?

 

[Nik333]

This isn't an instant cure, but, will work over time - Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner, although, it does look like you have a mean hard water problem. I like the wave action deposits in your photo!


https://www.questia.com/magazine/1P3-2808311981/what-s-inside-scrubbing-bubbles-bathroom-cleaner



Scrubbing Bubbles had an automatic shower spray that sprayed all over the shower after you were gone. I thought it was odd at the time but that would have been ideal for you. Not made any more.



If you can be patient, the cleaner might work for you. Just spray it after you shower, & let it sit.



To my mind, there's nothing worse than taking a relaxing bath or shower then scrubbing & squeegeeing.


It took time to get that way, try to relax and let a good cleaner work for you. You can spray & let soak until the next shower. Just the act of waiting for warm water with the next shower, washes away the cleaner.


CLR is great, too, but not all the time.


(Btw, we used to use Muriatic Acid on old bottles covered in coral that we found while scuba-diving. strong stuff!)

 

[SeniorSitizen]

Realizing your tile floor is something we don't have so if possible check with the tile manufacturer with the question " how strong of an acid can be used ". If that's not possible consider asking a local floor and tile retailer with your pictures. 3rdly, visit a janitorial supply with a picture and your cleaning dilemma. We have well water with an abundance of calcium and our local supply recommended a 23% acid for toilets but a lesser % for non porcelain like fiberglass and stainless sinks and they both work well when allowed to set a few minutes.



NOTE: the 23% acid we use in toilets produce an eye - nose irritant CO2 gas so I recommend not having the head over the toilet when applying and X-TRA ventilation.

 

[Windows on Wash]

Might be time for some compound and some mechanical advantage.

 

[huesmann]

Yep, maybe a DA polisher and some velcro backed 2000 grit wet.