Pink water stains in the shower are one of the common problems when you move into a newly bought second-hand house. When I first moved in, this was one of the most common issues for me, be it the shower, bathroom, or even kitchen sink. I checked Reddit forums to verify if there were other users who were facing the same issue or just me with the special new house treatment. I figured out the reason for the pink or orange water stains in your shower is due to a bacteria called Serratia marcescens. While it’s not harmful, it can be unsightly and a bit stubborn to remove. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean and prevent these pink water stains from your shower.
Note: Product links mentioned in this guide are affiliated. Read our affiliate disclosure in the website footer to learn more.
Also Read: Does WD 40 Remove Grease From Kitchen Cabinet?
How to Remove Pink Water Stains from Your Shower
Pink water stains are common, and you can use several methods to rub them off, though it won’t be any easy. Also, one of the other problems is when your shower has marble floors or tiles on it. What basically happens is when you start rubbing off the pink water stains from your marble, it removes the coating, and the porous surface is exposed. It then becomes a lot more difficult to clean the pink water stains or any kind of stain as they stick to the porous surface.
So, here are a few methods to safely remove pink water stains from your shower.
1. Baking Soda and Vinegar
The most popular book method to remove the pink water stains from your shower is to use the baking soda and vinegar combination.
Materials Required:
- Baking soda [view options]
- White vinegar [view options]
- Scrub brush [view options] or sponge [view options]
- Spray bottle [view options]
- Warm Water
- Bowl for mixing
Steps on how to remove pink water stains from your shower using baking soda and vinegar,
- In a bowl, mix baking soda with small amounts of water and create a thick paste.
- Spread this thick paste on the pink stains in your shower and let it sit for 10-15 minutes, allowing it to break down the stain.
- Using a scrub brush or sponge, rub the paste in a circular motion on the stains to remove the tough stain from the surface.
- Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it over the baking soda-covered areas. The vinegar will react with the baking soda, causing fizzing.
- Rinse the area with warm water to remove the overall solution from the surface and tap-dry it with a soft cloth.
Applying this paste a day before you have guests coming can be helpful in hiding pink water stains from your shower. But really, you cannot completely get rid of them; they just keep coming back.
Also Read: How to Clean Grease from Kitchen Cabinets: Grandma Hacks from Reddit
2. Bleach Solution
Materials Required:
- Bleach [view options]
- Water
- Spray bottle [view options]
- Scrub brush [view options] or sponge [view options]
How to hide pink water stains from your shower using the bleach solution,
- Mix one part bleach with ten parts of water and transfer it to a spray bottle
- Generously spray the solution on the pink water stains in your shower
- Let the solution sit on the stain for 10 minutes to disinfect and break down the bacteria
- Use a sponge brush or a sponge and scrub the area thoroughly
- Rinse the area with warm water to remove the overall solution from the surface and tap-dry it with a soft cloth.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda (Popular Among Redditors)
Hydrogen Peroxide and baking soda are newly popular among Redditors, and there are a lot of users suggesting this trick to hide pink water stains from your shower, bathroom, and sinks. Don’t worry. I won’t let you feel the FOMO, and I will help you with the steps.
Materials Required:
- Hydrogen Peroxide [view options]
- Baking Soda [view options]
- Scrub brush [view options] or sponge [view options]
How to hide pink water stains using Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda,
- Equally, mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda until a thick consistency is formed. You can create this paste as per your requirement.
- Spread the paste on the pink water stains in your shower and let it rest for 10-15 minutes to penetrate and break down the stains.
- Using a sponge brush or a sponge, rub the stains in rigidly and in circular motion in order to remove the tough ones.
- Rinse the stains thoroughly using warm water to remove the residues of the paste and stain. Once done, wipe the area with a clean cloth.
Also Read: Eco-Friendly Ways to Keep Your Home Cool in Early Summer
4. Magic Erasers
Melamine is one of the good cleaning agents for wiping off stains from your kitchen, bathroom, inside the home, and, in some cases, outside the home. For convenience, brands have come up with a special sponge that has melamine inside it; all you need to do is wet the sponge and wipe the area. One such product is Magic Erasers.
Materials Needed:
- Magic Erasers [view options]
- Scrub brush [view options] or sponge [view options]
- Water
How to hide pink water stains from your shower using Magic Erasers,
- Wet the Magic Eraser sponge with water, don’t be a penny-pincher, maybe keep it under the tap for a few seconds and squeeze it out.
- Gently scrub the pink-stained areas with the wet Magic Eraser, applying light pressure.
- Rinse the stains thoroughly using warm water to remove the residues of the paste and stain. Once done, wipe the area with a clean cloth.
The Magic Eraser sponge is good but not rigid enough to last long, and you will require a lot of rubbing for the tough ones, so a pack of 5 is the best deal.
5. Borax and Vinegar
Borax is a natural cleaning agent that, combined with vinegar, effectively removes pink stains. This method is both powerful and eco-friendly.
Materials Required:
- Borax [view options]
- White vinegar [view options]
- Scrub brush [view options] or sponge [view options]
- Spray bottle [view options]
How to use Borax and Vinegar to hide pink water stains from your shower,
- Sprinkle borax powder directly on the pink water stains in your shower.
- In a spray bottle, pour some white vinegar and spray over the borax powder to create a fizzing reaction.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 15-20 minutes to break down the stains.
- Using a sponge or a scrub brush, gently scrub the area thoroughly.
- Rinse the stains thoroughly using warm water to remove the residues of the paste and stain. Once done, wipe the area with a clean cloth.
6. Commercial Mold and Mildew Cleaner
Commercial cleaners are formulated to tackle tough mold and mildew stains, making them effective for pink stains as well.
Materials Required:
- Commercial mold and mildew cleaner [view options]
- Scrub brush [view options] or sponge [view options]
How to remove pink water stains from shower using commercial mold and mildew cleaner,
- Follow the instructions to apply the commercial cleaner to the pink-stained areas.
- Let the cleaner sit for a set amount of time, and then scrub the area thoroughly using a scrub brush or a sponge.
- Rinse the stains thoroughly using warm water to remove the residues of the paste and stain. Once done, wipe the area with a clean cloth.
7. Lemon Juice and Salt | Grandma Trick Leaked on Reddit
It is an age-old trick to remove tough stains from your kitchen and shower. Lemon juice’s acidity, combined with salt’s abrasive quality, makes this method effective for removing stains naturally.
Materials Required:
How to hide pink water stains from your shower using lemon juice and salt trick,
- Mix lemon juice with salt to form a paste.
- Spread the paste on pink water-stained areas.
- Let the paste rest for 10-15 minutes to break down the stains.
- Using a scrub brush or a sponge, rub the area to remove the stain and residue.
- Rinse the stains thoroughly using warm water to remove the residues of the paste and stain. Once done, wipe the area with a clean cloth.
Most Frequently Asked Questions on Pink Water Stains in Shower
Pink water stains are caused by a bacteria called Serratia marcescens, which thrives in damp environments and feeds on mineral deposits and soap scum.
The bacteria itself is generally not harmful but can be unsightly and may indicate areas needing regular cleaning.
Yes, baking soda and vinegar are effective. Mix a paste of baking soda and water, apply to stains, let sit, scrub, spray vinegar, and rinse.
Bleach is very effective. Dilute one part bleach with ten parts water, spray on the stains, let sit for ten minutes, scrub, and rinse.
This combination is popular among Reddit users. Mix them into a paste, apply to stains, let sit, scrub, and rinse thoroughly.
Yes, Magic Erasers are convenient. Wet the sponge, scrub the stains gently, rinse, and dry the area.
Lemon juice and salt work well. Mix into a paste, apply to the stains, let sit, scrub, rinse, and dry.
Commercial mold and mildew cleaners are effective. Follow the instructions on the product for the best results.
Wrapping up: Removing Pink Water Stains from Your Shower
You cannot completely get rid of the pink water stains as they keep coming back; there is no permanent solution to get rid of the Serratia marcescens bacteria. However, regularly cleaning it may help you reduce their impact and regeneration in a shorter period. Also, it saves you from embarrassment when you have guests coming over. A lot of Redditors blame the tap water and the water system for the issue, and once it’s in, there is no going out.
For more home improvement and cleaning hacks, be sure to check out our other guides. Each guide is packed with practical advice and easy-to-follow steps to help you maintain a beautiful and functional home.
