If you live in a hard water area, chances are, you have probably experienced hard water stains. 

In addition to being unpleasant to look at, these stains are also often very difficult to remove. What’s more, in some cases, they can also etch and damage the surface of the glass. 

In extreme cases, your only option may be to replace the glass. However, if you have started to notice some of these stains building up, keep reading. 

In this article, we explain what causes hard water stains on glass, how they can be removed using household cleaning products, and when it is best to replace the glass. 

What causes hard water stains on glass?

Many water sources in the UK are hard water. What makes this water ‘hard’ is its high level of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. 

This means that, when water evaporates off the surface of glass, the minerals are left behind. Over time, this builds up to a white, cloudy, chalky stain, which becomes more difficult to remove the longer they’re left.

Effective ways to clean hard water stains

Removing hard water stains from glass is often tricky, as these build-ups are surprisingly stubborn!

However, there are some household solutions that you can try, which often prove effective. 

Using vinegar

Vinegars contain acids, making them ideally suited to break down the minerals in hard water stains. 

• Mix the vinegar with an equal amount of water, and add to an empty spray bottle. For more stubborn stains, we’d recommend using a specific cleaning vinegar (rather than white cooking vinegar). 
• Line the base of the glass panel with kitchen roll (to catch any excess mixture). 
• Spray the glass from the top down, continuing to spray the solution in rows, from left to right. 
• When all of the glass is covered, allow the mixture to sit on the glass for at least half an hour. 
• Wearing rubber gloves, scrub away the stain and the solution in circular motions, using a microfibre cloth (you may also want to use an old toothbrush). 
• Rinse the glass with clean water, and see whether the stains have been lifted. 

Using vinegar and baking soda

If the vinegar doesn’t work on its own, you can increase its cleaning power by adding bicarbonate of soda.  

• Add vinegar (undiluted) to an empty spray bottle.
• Line the base of the glass panel with kitchen roll (to catch any excess mixture). 
• Spray the glass from the top down, continuing to spray the solution in rows, from left to right. 
• Combine 3 parts bicarbonate of soda with 1 part water, and mix into a paste. 
• Using a microfibre cloth, apply the paste to the stained areas, using circular motions. 
• Once the paste has dried (this should take around 10 minutes), re-spray the entire glass with vinegar. This will cause the bicarbonate to foam. 
• Once the foaming has stopped, rinse the glass with clean water. 

When should you replace the glass?

If the hard water stain has been ignored for too long, then it may have etched the glass, causing permanent damage. 

If this is the case – or the cleaning methods above did not successfully lift the stains – then your best bet is to replace the glass panel. This is the most time-efficient solution, and the only way to fully restore the damaged area. 

To get specialist advice from our professional glaziers, or to enlist our team to provide affordable glass replacements for your property, speak to Abbey Glass today.