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How to remove hard water spots from shower glass (and stop them coming back)
White vinegar dissolves hard water spots: spray it on, let it sit 10 to 15 minutes, scrub gently and dry. To stop spots from coming back, squeegee after each shower, or soften your water so the minerals aren’t there in the first place.
Why shower glass gets spots
When hard water dries, the water evaporates and leaves calcium and magnesium behind. In the Phoenix Valley, where water is very hard, those white spots build up fast and can harden into scale that’s tough to remove.
How to remove hard water spots
- Spray with white vinegar. Use it undiluted or half-and-half with water. Vinegar is mildly acidic and dissolves mineral deposits.
- Let it sit. Give it 10 to 15 minutes; for heavy buildup, cover the glass with vinegar-soaked paper towels.
- Scrub gently. Use a non-scratch sponge. A paste of baking soda and water adds gentle scrubbing power.
- Rinse and dry. Rinse with clean water and dry with a microfiber cloth or squeegee.
- Check your glass care guide before using any cleaner on coated or specialty glass, and test a small area first.
How to keep spots from coming back
- Squeegee after every shower so water doesn’t dry on the glass.
- Ventilate the bathroom to help the glass dry faster.
- Treat the cause. Cleaning removes spots; softening the water stops most of them from forming. A water softener removes the minerals that leave spots behind.
Spots are one of the most common reasons homeowners call us. One Queen Creek customer told us shower glass, faucets and dishes have been “a lot easier to keep clean” since the system went in. Read reviews.
Quick answers
What removes hard water stains from glass shower doors?
White vinegar dissolves mineral deposits. Let it sit 10 to 15 minutes, scrub with a non-scratch sponge, then rinse and dry. Check your glass care guide first.
Why do my shower doors keep getting white spots?
Hard water leaves calcium and magnesium behind when it dries. In very hard Valley water, spots return quickly unless the glass is dried or the water is softened.
Will a water softener stop shower spots?
A softener removes the minerals that cause hard water spots, so most spotting stops. Drying the glass still helps keep it streak-free.
Tired of scrubbing?
Find out what’s in your water with a free in-home water test.