It's very normal for homes in Mesa to experience problems with mineral buildup on glass surfaces. You may notice cloudy white spots on your shower door after the water evaporates or the same chalky-looking residue on your dishware after it dries in the dishwasher. 

These stains are often a recurring problem because of the area's hard water. Fortunately, there are several tips you can use to remove the buildup and keep your glass looking clear.

What Causes Hard Water Stains?

When a home has hard water, this means the water supply has a high concentration of calcium and magnesium in it. 

As the water evaporates as you're showering, washing dishes, or cleaning, those minerals get left behind on shower doors, faucets, and other glass surfaces. And after repeated exposure, the stains tend to become more noticeable and harder to remove.

Hard water leaves the most buildup on surfaces that regularly get wet:

How to Clean Hard Water Stains

The good news is that you can use a combination of household cleaners and simple cleaning techniques to remove hard water spots off of your glass surfaces, but you'll want to be extra careful with the products and tools you use to ensure you don't scratch the glass.

  • Wipe away any loose dirt and residue: Start the cleaning process by wiping down the glass surface with clean water. You can use distilled water or water that goes through a softening system if you have one installed in your home. You'll want to use a microfiber cloth as you wipe to reduce the risk of scratching the surface. The goal is to wipe away as much dust, soap residue, and hair as you can to further protect the glass during the cleaning process.

  • Apply a glass-safe cleaner or diluted white vinegar: Next, you're going to focus on the mineral buildup by spraying the stained areas with a cleaner that has a label saying it's perfectly safe to use on glass. If you don't have a glass-safe cleaner, you can use a mixture of white vinegar and water.

  • Give the cleaning solution time to break down the buildup: Let the cleaner sit for at least 5 to 10 minutes before you continue with the cleaning process.

  • Gently work away the mineral deposits: Use your microfiber cloth to gently scrub the stained areas until you don't see any visible mineral deposits. Do not use steel wool, abrasive sponges, or scouring pads since these materials significantly increase the risk of scratching the glass.

  • Rinse off all of the cleaner and loosened residue: Rinse away any of the left-behind cleaner with your clean water. Be sure to check the glass from several angles during this step.

  • Dry the glass thoroughly to prevent new water spots: Throw your damp cloth in the laundry and use a new microfiber cloth to dry the glass.

Prevention

There are several easy ways to prevent hard water stains on glass surfaces:

  • After you take a shower, use a squeegee to remove water from the glass before it has a chance to dry.

  • Use a microfiber cloth to thoroughly dry your shower door, faucets, and other glass surfaces after they get wet.

  • Do the cleaning process every one to two weeks to prevent stubborn mineral buildup.

  • Always use glass-safe cleaning products.

  • Schedule professional glass cleaning when mineral deposits become difficult to remove with your normal cleaning routine.

When DIY Isn't Enough

If you've cleaned a glass surface several times with glass-safe products and the cloudy spots are still there, there's a good chance you're dealing with etched glass. And simply scrubbing harder isn't going to remove the damage. 

This type of etching often happens in Mesa households from long-term exposure to hard water. In this type of situation, it's generally best to have a glass professional assess the damage. An expert can guide you on whether the glass can be restored or needs to be replaced.

Are you tired of dealing with stubborn hard water stains on your shower doors and other glass surfaces? Contact Raben Glass today to speak with a glass professional about the different options for cleaning, restoring, or replacing your glass.