Sometimes sparkling clean bathroom walls and glass doors are all the motivation we need to jump in, turn the shower on, and seize the day. Often, however, hard water stains left on these surfaces can be a bit of a downer. They certainly make glass doors and other surfaces look dull and dirty with hazy-looking spots, making the bathroom less inviting for that shower we need.
What is a hard water stain?
Hard water stains come from dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium, which the water stream picks up from soil and rocks as it travels to our water supply. High content of these minerals makes the water “hard,” which is why it is quite difficult to remove hard water stains with just an ordinary detergent or cleanser.
The good news is that there is an effective way to clear them off--no sweat--using everyday kitchen products.
How to remove hard water stains
The following 6-step process should easily bring your bathroom back to its sparkle to complete your refreshing and renewing shower experience.
1. Prepare white vinegar and dishwashing liquid.
In a microwaveable bowl, put equal parts of both ingredients. The acid in white vinegar will help in two ways:
- Expand the dishwashing solution, thus facilitating the mixture
- Loosen the mineral deposits when applied on the glass
As there are various dishwashing brands in the market, you may experiment on which brand gives you the best cleansing solution when mixed with the vinegar and then applied.
Aside from the ingredients, have an empty spray bottle on standby as well.
2. Mix well.
Heat the combined ingredients in a microwave for 1 minute. The increased temperature will help mix these ingredients further.
After taking them out of the microwave, slowly stir the mixture. Be careful not to induce bubbles, otherwise it might be difficult to get them out of the spray bottle.
Let the solution cool and pour it into the spray bottle.
3. Spray generously.
Spray vinegar-dishwashing solution all over the glass door and let it stay for about 15 minutes-- long enough for the solution to unbind the stains off the glass but not too long for it to dry up on the surface.
4. Scrub away.
Using a sponge or washcloth, scrub the glass surface. Avoid using highly abrasive sponges in order to preserve the quality of the glass and to delay glass corrosion.
5. Rinse off.
If you have a detachable shower head, use it to wash off the soapy solution with warm water. It is easier to loosen the cleansing solution and dirt off the glass with warm water than with cold water.
6. Wipe off excess water.
Finally, use a squeegee or microfiber cloth to wipe off excess water from the glass surface. Crumpled old newspapers can work just as effectively in leaving your bathroom glass doors squeaky clean and spot-free.
Maintaining the cleanliness and transparency of our bathroom glass doors is certainly worthy of a fraction of our time. It’s best to wipe their surface dry right after showering, so start making it a part of your routine from now on so you can always enjoy your shower time.
Have no time to whip-up your own DIY hard water stain remover? Check out Bring-It-On Cleaner for an effective, ready-to-use hard water stain remover!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we need to use white vinegar to remove hard water stains?
White vinegar contains acid that expands the dishwashing solution and loosens mineral deposits when applied on surfaces.
Why are hard water stains difficult to remove?
Hard water stains resist ordinary cleansers or detergents due to their mineral content, especially calcium and magnesium.
How long should the cleaning solution stay on the surface before scrubbing?
The solution should stay on the surface for about 15 minutes to effectively unbind the stains from the glass.
