A clean glass door is what actually reflects the beauty of your shower. And when this latter is covered with hard water stains and soap scum buildup, it, unfortunately, loses its shine. And, since showers are used often, and sometimes multiple times per day, this problem is unavoidable.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some great cleaning solutions that will amaze you with their results. The good thing is, most of the products we’ll show you here are already in your home. So all you have to do is take them out of your pantry and start using them correctly.
Table of Contents
How to Clean Glass Shower Doors with Hard Water Stains
Vinegar and Baking Soda
When it comes to using natural products to clean your shower door, nothing beats vinegar and baking soda. This combination of natural agents can be game-changing, especially when tackling tenacious stains. And, in order to use it to clean your glass shower door with hard water stains, you will need to:
Combine half a cup of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda. This mixture should result in a thick paste. Apply the paste to your glass shower door and let it act for no more than 20 minutes.
After that, rinse the mixture with distilled water, and dry the glass door with the help of a clean cloth. A squeegee can also help remove water drops before drying the glass door.
Why is this combo so effective? Simply because it releases a gas called carbon dioxide, which helps remove soap scum, dirt, and grime.
Remark: Instead of baking soda, you can mix vinegar with water, which should also provide you with an excellent cleaning solution.
Dish soap and Vinegar
This technique is also quite effective in getting rid of hard water stains. For this one, you’ll need to mix one cup of vinegar with a cup of dish soap such as Dawn in a bowl. The solution should be well blended before using it.
Afterward, apply a generous amount of the mixture to the entire door and leave it for around 15 minutes. Then, using distilled water, rinse the glass door. After you’ve washed the door, don’t forget to pass your squeegee.
Lastly, wipe the entire door using a clean cloth, and voilà, your glass shower door is sparkling once again.
Remark: If you cannot use distilled water for whatever reason, you can still rinse the door with plain water. However, the use of a squeegee, in this case, is necessary (and not optional) to take off water drops from your glass shower door. Then, dry the door using the same approach as before.
Lemon
Whether you don’t have vinegar available at home (which I highly doubt) or you simply don’t like its odor, you can still rely on the lemon. This lovely fruit can actually impress you with its cleaning capabilities. Simply, on a spray bottle, combine three parts of lemon juice with one part of water.
Next, spray the entire door, and wait for a few minutes for the mixture to break the stains and buildup. Then using a microfiber cloth, wipe the whole door gently.
There is also another way of using lemon to clean your glass shower door. All you have to do is cut a lemon in half and rub it over your shower door while gently squeezing its juice. After that, wipe it using a dry cloth.
What’s nice about lemon is it cleans your glass shower door while also providing a pleasant fragrance.
Ammonia
If it’s possible, it would be great if you leave it as the last option. Choosing this procedure as your final choice has nothing to do with its efficiency. Actually, it’s just as effective as the other solutions. The main drawback of ammonia is its corrosiveness. In other words, if it’s not handled with care, it can cause some issues.
First and foremost, open the door or/and window to provide adequate ventilation within the shower before using ammonia. As it’s known, inhaling ammonia can lead to some severe health problems. Therefore, before dealing with this product, please wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth and take rubber gloves as well.
Once you’re well protected, combine three parts of water with one part of ammonia in a spray bottle. Then spray the entire door with the mixture and clean it using a dry microfiber cloth.
How to Prevent Hard Water Stains on Glass Shower Doors?
Water Softener
Investing in a water softener may seem intimidating to some homeowners, especially when discovering how much it costs. However, its benefits are enormous, particularly in the long term.
Aside from getting rid of hard water stains, a water softener also provides additional benefits that can improve your cleaning activities.
It’s also the secret behind why most hotels always have a sparkling shower.
Water Repellent
We honestly didn’t mean to scare your wallet regarding the water softener. And to express our apologies, we’ve brought you a budget-friendly method—water repellent.
A water-repellent such as Rain-X can be super handy for preventing hard water stains on your glass shower doors. What is also cool about this product is that it’s easy to use and lasts for a long period of time. According to Rain-x, this product can last up to 3 months.
However, because showers are used often, or perhaps multiple times per day, you may need to use this product every few weeks rather than every few months. Nonetheless, it remains an excellent technique to protect your glass shower door from all sorts of stains without leaving a hole in your wallet.
Squeegee
This might sound silly, but using a squeegee after every shower you take can prevent hard water stains. All you need to do is to wipe your glass door with a squeegee at the end of your shower.
WD-40
While Rain-X must be applied on a clean and dry glass shower door, WD-40 is a little different. This product is great for cleaning and protecting your glass door from future stains. I mean, with just one product, you get two incredible advantages.
If you’re curious and you want to know how to use WD-40 properly, then we recommend visiting our guide on how to clean glass shower doors using WD-40.
Conclusion
We hope that the tips mentioned above have helped you to clean glass shower doors with hard water stains perfectly well. If it did, don’t forget to leave us a comment below, letting us know which strategy has provided you with the best result please.
We have also recently published a very helpful guide on how to clean a dull acrylic bathtub, which we highly recommend that you give some of your time.
What removes hard water stains from glass shower doors?
Equal parts white vinegar and water mixture can effectively remove hard water stains from glass shower doors. Apply the solution to the affected areas and let it sit for several minutes, scrub with a non-abrasive scrubber, rinse with clean water, and dry with a clean cloth. You can also use baking soda and water, or a commercial cleaner specifically designed for hard water stains on glass for tougher stains.
How do I make my glass shower doors crystal clear?
To make glass shower doors crystal clear, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, spray the solution onto the glass, scrub with a non-abrasive scrubber, rinse with clean water, squeegee to remove excess water, and dry with a microfiber cloth. For ongoing maintenance, squeegee the glass after each shower and clean the doors weekly with the vinegar and water solution.
How do you remove heavy limescale from shower doors?
To remove heavy limescale from shower doors, make a thick paste of 1/2 cup baking soda and enough white vinegar, apply to the affected areas, let it sit for 30 minutes, scrub with a non-abrasive scrubber, rinse with clean water, and dry with a microfiber cloth. For stubborn limescale, use a commercial cleaner specifically designed for shower doors and follow the instructions on the label.
Does WD-40 remove hard water stains from glass?
While WD-40 can remove some hard water stains from glass, it’s not the most effective solution for this task. WD-40 is a lubricant and water displacement product, and while it can help loosen mineral deposits and stains, it can also leave behind an oily residue. It’s best to use a solution of white vinegar and water, or a commercial cleaner specifically designed for hard water stains on glass, to effectively remove hard water stains from glass surfaces.
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