How to Clean Stains from Hard Water Stains on Glass

Stains caused by hardened water appear as milky white spots on the surface of glass. It is due to the deposition of alkalis and other minerals in the water. These stains are notoriously stubborn, but there are many cleaning and preventive methods that can help get your glass sparkling again.

Table of Contents

Use non-liquid cleaners

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Start with scrubbing. Before reaching for expensive or potentially toxic products, try the scrubbing method first.

Use a “miracle” sponge and a “remove” sponge or other anti-scratch sponge to scrub glass surfaces. ^{[1] X Research Source} Try to get as clean as possible using one of the damp sponges above.
Never use hard brushes or abrasive tools when cleaning the glass to avoid scratching the glass.
The scrubbing method is most effective when applied to hard water deposits, new stains and stains that have not been around long. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Use baking soda. If you have to deal with old stains, large areas of glass or hard water deposits, you will need a solution other than scrubbing. Baking soda is an effective, all-natural home remedy, and probably already in your kitchen cupboard. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Baking soda is an alkali, so it can be used to neutralize the effects of hard water deposits.
As a natural product and biodegradable, baking soda is considered a safe and eco-friendly alternative to harsh cleaning chemicals. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
There are two lines of opinion about using baking soda for cleaning: one asserts that you can mix baking soda with vinegar to make an effective paste, ^{[5] X Source of Research} while the other suggests that vinegar (an acid) and baking soda (an alkali) should not be used at the same time, as they will cancel out the pH benefit. ^{[6] X Research Source}
To reconcile these two ideas, you can try using white vinegar to wash the stain first, wait 30 minutes, then rub baking soda before scrubbing and rinsing the stain.

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Brush with toothpaste. Many home cleaning services use toothpaste instead of baking soda. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Put a little bit of regular toothpaste on a damp cloth and rub it over the stain with a circular motion.
Wait a few minutes, then use a solution of one part vinegar and one part water to rinse.

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Use a cleaning paste product. Many cleaning products come in the form of a paste used to treat hard water stains. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

The main advantage of cleaning pastes is that they do not leave liquid stains or water streaks.
However, the downside of paste products is that they can tarnish the glass if left unpolished. Be sure to follow the directions for use on the product label to avoid this drawback.

Use cleaning solution

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Use white vinegar. Vinegar is an acid that can help loosen mineral deposits. White vinegar is also colorless so it doesn’t leave stains. It is also a natural cleaning solution that is non-toxic and does not pose the risk of burning eyes or lungs like other cleaning chemicals.

Add a little lemon juice to the vinegar to increase the effect and create a fresh lemon scent. Lemon juice (another acidic substance) also works to dislodge minerals similar to vinegar. ^{[9] X Research Source}
Pour vinegar and lemon juice into a spray bottle and warm in the microwave for 20-40 seconds. Warm cleaners are more effective at removing stains when cold or cooled. Be sure to remove the tip of the spray bottle before putting it in the microwave to avoid an explosion in the oven. ^{[10] X Research Source}
Spray the vinegar solution on the glass and wait for 2-3 minutes before wiping it off with a non-abrasive cloth or paper towel.
To clean hard water deposits on glasses or other small glass objects, mix a solution of one part vinegar and one part water, pour it into a basin, and soak the glassware for a few hours before rinsing it thoroughly. again with water.

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Try adding a little ammonia to common cleaning products. You can try increasing the effectiveness of an all-purpose glass cleaner with ammonia to dislodge hard water stains. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Buy cleaners that contain descaling chemicals. If the home remedies mentioned above don’t fix the stains, now is the time to turn on your heavy weapons to deal with them. Look for specialized cleaning products with strong acids and chemicals.

These types of products are used in the home and are manufactured by many manufacturers under many different names.
In general, these products contain an acid such as sulfamic acid as the active descaling agent.
Wear gloves and safety glasses when working with acidic cleaners. Carefully follow the instructions on the package. ^{[12] X Research Source}
These cleaners can be used safely on hard surfaces such as ceramic tile or glass, but should not be used on natural stones such as marble, whetstone, aluminum, or colored grout. They can leave holes in non-glass surfaces. ^{[13] X Research Source}

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Get help from the hardware store. If the above products still do not give the desired results, you can find even stronger products from the hardware store. However you need to be very careful and make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, as these products are very powerful. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Prevent stains caused by hard water

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Stop stains before they appear. One of the best ways to get rid of hard water stains is to intervene at the root of the problem, trying to balance the pH and minerals in the water.

You can try removing minerals from your water by attaching a filter to your home water system. ^{[15] X Research Source}
You can also add a water softener to neutralize hard water.

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Regularly clean and wash glass surfaces. You need to regularly clean hard water on surfaces to prevent them from drying out into stains.

Dry the bathroom door after each use with a soft cloth or squeegee to remove water stains. ^{[16] X Research Source}
Wash the glass every week to prevent water deposits from building up.
Act fast: the longer you leave it, the harder the stains will be to clean, and may even stick to the glass surface permanently. ^{[17] X Research Source}

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Prevent stains. You can also prevent hard water stains by covering or protecting glass surfaces.

For glass tables, you should use coasters. They can stop water droplets from falling and spilling out, and prevent round stains from leaving on the table. ^{[18] X Research Sources}
For bathroom doors, consider applying a protective wax to the glass once or twice a year. Water will flow off the waxed glass, keeping the door clean and clear. ^{[19] X Research Source}

Advice

If you are not sure about a product, try to get to a hidden spot first to avoid damaging the furniture. ^{[20] X Research Source}
If the stain persists, spray it again, wait a bit, and wipe it off. Repeat the process if necessary.
Try using foam instead of fabric; Foam is usually more durable and less rough. ^{[21] X Research Source}

Warning

Be sure to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use appropriate protective equipment (gloves, goggles, face mask) before using cleaning chemicals.
Make sure not to add ammonia to the bleach.

Steps

Use non-liquid cleaners

Use cleaning solution

Prevent stains caused by hard water

Advice

Warning

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