To remove hard-water stains from a glass shower door, spray it with warm white vinegar, let it sit 10 to 15 minutes, scrub with a non-scratch sponge, and use a baking soda paste on stubborn spots. Valley water is hard, so minerals dry on glass and leave a white film every time a shower ends. A quick squeegee habit keeps it from coming back.
Time: about 45 minutes. Skill: easy.
What do you need?
- White vinegar and a spray bottle
- Baking soda
- A non-scratch sponge or soft scrub pad
- Microfiber cloths
- A squeegee
- Gloves
Safety first
Never mix vinegar with bleach or products that contain bleach. The mix releases a harmful gas. Do not mix cleaners together. Open a window or run the fan, and rinse the glass well between products.
Do not use vinegar on natural stone such as marble or travertine, and be careful near grout, since acid can etch stone and wear down some grout. If your shower has stone surfaces, cover them with a towel or keep vinegar off them. Skip steel wool and rough pads on glass, which scratch.
How do you remove hard-water stains from glass?
- Warm the vinegar in the microwave for 30 seconds in a microwave-safe cup, then pour it into the spray bottle. Be careful, because it can get hot.
- Wet the glass with water first so the surface is damp.
- Spray the glass generously with vinegar. For vertical glass, spray from the top so it runs down.
- Wait 10 to 15 minutes. For heavy buildup, soak a cloth in vinegar and press it to the glass for up to 30 minutes.
- Scrub in small circles with the non-scratch sponge.
- Make a paste of baking soda and a little water for spots that remain. Rub it on with a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse.
- Rinse well with clean water.
- Squeegee from top to bottom and dry the edges with a microfiber cloth.
If the cloudiness does not budge after two rounds, it may be etching, where minerals have damaged the glass surface. Etching cannot be wiped off, and the choices are to live with it or replace the glass.
How do you stop hard-water stains from coming back?
- Squeegee after every shower. It takes about 30 seconds.
- Wipe the glass with a microfiber cloth if you do not have a squeegee.
- Keep a spray bottle of half vinegar and half water in the shower for a quick weekly spray and wipe.
- Run the exhaust fan for a while after you shower.
- Consider a water softener. Ask a plumber or water treatment company about one if hard water bothers you throughout the house.
When to call a pro
If you do not have time for a deep clean, or the shower, grout and tile also need work, a house cleaning service can take care of it during a deep clean. Ask about their products before they start if you have stone or special finishes. Here are local house cleaning companies in the directory, with phone numbers:
If you are getting a lot of buildup throughout the house, a plumber can talk about water treatment. Ask the helper if you are not sure who to call.
Questions people ask
Does vinegar damage glass?
Plain glass is not harmed by vinegar. Be careful with coated glass, natural stone, and metal finishes. Test a small area first, rinse well and do not let it sit for hours.
What is the white film on my shower door?
It is mineral buildup, mainly calcium and magnesium, left behind when hard water dries. It is common in Arizona.
Can I use a razor blade on shower glass?
Some people use a fresh blade held at a low angle on wet glass, but it can scratch coated or tempered glass if used wrongly. Try vinegar and baking soda first, and ask a cleaning pro if you are unsure.
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