How to Remove Calcium Buildup on a Shower Floor

Regular contact of water on shower floors results in calcium buildup that appears to be shabby, scruffy and untidy. This generally occurs more if you have high calcium content in the water. If not cleaned timely, it gradually becomes very difficult to clean off and can even leave permanent marks. It is therefore important to clean calcium buildup on regular basis, so as to avoid changing the entire flooring of the bathroom when it becomes ugly. Cleaning calcium buildup on your own can be quite easy if carried out systematically. There are some home remedies for cleaning it and some chemical compositions easily available in almost all households.

Required Material:

• Rubber gloves
• Salt
• Vinegar
• Wire brush
• Pumice stone
• Soft scrub cleaner
• Calcium bicarbonate

Step 1 - Getting Started

Wear rubber or latex gloves so that you don’t harm the skin on your hands. It is recommended to use clothes that you don't mind getting dirty while cleaning.

Step 2 - Application

Mop clean the floor and remove all dust. Next, formulate a mixture from salt and vinegar. Apply it on the floor and leave it there for some time. However, don't allow it to dry as dried vinegar can leave its own mark on the floor.  Wiping it wet will clean the floor instead. Salt helps in breaking calcium buildup and is significantly contributing to the cleaning process. Salt is also a whitening agent, so use it in any cleaning application you feel like.

Step 3 - Using Baking Soda

Calcium bicarbonate, commonly known as Baking Soda is also a chemical composition that has deep cleaning properties. Apply a coat of baking soda on the affected floor, with the help of a tooth brush and rub it gently. This will help to plaque off the calcium buildup on the floor of the bathroom which is most prone to such buildup.  

Step 4 - Scrubbing and Scouring

Because calcium buildup is adamant and hard, it would not be possible to wipe it clean simply with a mop. You will need to scrub and scour the stains off from the floor. For this, you will need a soft scrub cleaner to use to scrub the floor and brush away the unwanted accumulation. If this does not help to really get rid of the deposits, then try using a pumice stone. To use a pumice stone, wet it in soapy water and scrub the floor gently. Scrubbing severely might lead to scratching of the floor which is why it is very important to take extra gentle care during this step.

Step 5 - Rinse Thoroughly

When the stains, marks and the deposits have been scrubbed off the shower floor, rinse it thoroughly with lukewarm water to find a sparkling clean and calcium-buildup-free shower floor. Make it a habit in future, to scrub the floor gently at least once in a week to avoid harsh calcium buildup on the floor.