As well as looking downright unsightly, hard water staining can tarnish glass and other items in your home, and cause permanent damage. The glass often becomes discolored, and unless the issue is tackled early on, it can prove impossible to remove. Unfortunately, hard water (water that has a high mineral content) is very common in certain areas of the country, and for a lot of homeowners, it’s difficult to avoid the staining that comes with it. However – as with many types of stains – treating it before it spreads is advisable.
While cleaning any areas that frequently come into contact with hardwater, such as shower cubicles, sinks and faucets etc on a regular basis, can prevent the stains from having a chance to form, many homeowners have gone past this point and are facing heavy staining.
If you don’t have a water softener treatment installed in your home and are dealing with staining on glass surfaces caused by hard water, you can either hire a professional cleaning company to come in and scrub at the stains until they’re gone (an option many choose, and why not?), or prepare to remove the stains yourself by following the 4 steps outlined below:
- Use rubbing alcohol
When rubbing alcohol is combined with water it can make a powerful solution for getting rid of hardwater stains, and all you need to do is scrub gently at the affected area with a soft sponge or cloth, depending on the surface. You must take care not to scratch glass by using a material for cleaning that’s too abrasive. If you’re not sure, try scrubbing at a small area of the stain to check for damage.
- Use toothpaste
By simply applying a small amount of toothpaste (any brand will do) onto a damp cloth, you can gently rub at glass surfaces suffering from hard water stains. Just rinse the glass clean with water when finished.
- Use ammonia
Do note that ammonia has the potential to aggravate the nose and eyes, so wearing a face mask and some protective glasses while using it is recommended, and you should also take care when handling ammonia, and wear rubber gloves. Once you’ve donned the appropriate safety gear, simply prepare a solution of equal parts ammonia and water, take a cloth or sponge and dip it in the liquid before rubbing at the stains.
- Use vinegar
Simply soak a cloth, towel or sponge in white vinegar and rub at the stains. Alternatively, you can pop some vinegar into a spray bottle and apply it to the surface instead of the cloth or sponge. Vinegar may also irritate your nose and eyes, so where possible, wear a face mask and glasses to make using it more comfortable.
Don’t fancy DIYing your hardwater glass stains? Remember that cleaning companies will happily add hardwater stain removal to their list of tasks to complete when cleaning your home, and this painless, effortless solution can help solve many home cleaning woes.
