What causes water spots on glass?
Water spots are caused by a combination of things: soap scum and hard water, which has a a high concentration of magnesium and calcium minerals in the water.The minerals build up over time on surfaces, such as your shower door glass, that are in constant contact with hard water. Hard water with a high mineral content leaves spots that are often called limescale. When it mixes with the fatty acids in the soap, it dries on your shower walls and shower door, leaving a crusty film.
If you’ve had beautiful frameless shower doors from Sawyer Glass installed in your bathroom, you’re probably wondering how to keep them clean. After all, the last thing you want is spots ruining the look of the clear glass. With just a little bit of maintenance, the glass can stay good as new. Here are a few ways to prevent hard water stains on your shower doors.
1. Wipe the glass after each shower
When it comes to cleaning shower doors, a little effort goes a long way. After each use, taking time to wipe down the shower prevents the water from drying on the glass surface and leaving build-up.
One way to do this is by using a squeegee after every shower. Invest in a squeegee and store it in the shower for quick access. After you’ve showered, squeegee from a top corner, applying a bit of light pressure, and drag the blade downward. The water will run down the glass as you pull. Repeat the process along all of the glass in your shower until all the water droplets are gone. A microfiber towel also works well for this purpose. When this becomes a part of your routine, it’ll be a quick way to maintain a clean shower.
2. Try some simple cleaning solutions
Regularly cleaning glass shower enclosures with a few simple cleaners can prevent hard water stains from forming. Keep your shower looking like new and avoid the costs of major repairs by removing small water spots as they start to form. When cleaning the glass, you’ll want to avoid using harsh chemicals that can contain toxic fumes and damage your hardware. Here are a few cleaners you can easily make at home:
Baking soda and white vinegar
The combination of baking soda and white vinegar is an efficient cleaning agent, made in mere minutes. Using this mixture can help remove hard water stains but will require a little bit of scrubbing. To use this method, combine some baking soda with a
small amount of vinegar to make a paste. Spread this paste over the hard water stains and let sit for around 15 minutes. Rinse well with water and wipe dry.
Lemon juice
Have a few lemons kicking around on your counter? Put them to good use by applying the juice to the glass in your shower. The acid in the lemon juice makes the perfect cleaner to help remove hard water spots. All you have to do is wipe the lemon juice on the hard water spots, let it sit for about 10 minutes, then wipe clean with a microfiber towel.
Vinegar and water
This is probably the easiest solution for removing hard water spots. Simply mix equal parts of water and vinegar. It’s helpful to do this in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture over the hard water stains on the glass and let it sit for just a few minutes. After that, all you have to do is wipe it clean to remove the hard water stains.
Water, tea tree oil, and alcohol
To make this cleaning solution, combine ⅔ cup of rubbing alcohol, two cups of water, and 15-20 drops of tea tree oil. Pour the solution into a spray bottle, then shake and spray on the glass after each shower. Not only does a Tea Tree Oil solution avoid buildup on your shower door, but it also leaves the entire bathroom smelling fresh.
3. Keep the air circulating
Implementing a few simple habits go a long way in keeping the hard water stains off your custom shower doors. Helping the water to evaporate quickly inside the shower can help prevent hard water spots from forming. To do this, remember to keep the air circulating inside your bathroom. Turn the vent fan on before you shower and leave it on afterward to help clear out the air. Leaving the bathroom door open will allow the water to evaporate, too.
4. Contact shower glass professionals
If you’ve tried everything to prevent hard water spots on your glass shower enclosures, but they’ve still managed to appear, you may want to consider a professional cleaning company to get rid of the stains.
Perhaps you’ve had your current shower doors for a while and need something fresh and new. Our shower door specialists at Sawyer Glass would be happy to take care of this for you. We can measure and install custom glass shower doors that will refresh your bathroom.
Frameless shower door installation by Sawyer Glass
Sawyer Glass is Salt Lake City’s leading provider of residential and commercial glass. Whether installing new shower doors or replacing old ones, our custom shower door specialists can discuss your options and provide an estimate for you. Contact us today!
It’s really helpful to learn how easy it is to care for frameless shower doors. The bathroom is one place that we usually have a hard time cleaning, so I can see how getting this material could help make that a lot easier. I’ll definitely work with a frameless shower provider in the area so we can remodel our bathroom this way.