How to Remove Hard Water Stains From Glass Showers—and Prevent Future Buildup

When it comes to cleaning your bathroom, tackling the shower is typically the worst part, thanks to the triple threat of moisture, residue, and hard water minerals that can build up. The last on this list is the main culprit of dingy spots on shower glass.

"Hard water stains, also known as limescale, are high in minerals which end up leaving behind a chalky residue on surfaces," says Brad Roberson, president of Glass Doctor, a Neighborly company. "When the water evaporates, the limescale remains, coating surfaces and clinging onto glass, tiles, and fixtures, leaving behind hard, crusty deposits that change in color from white to green."

Ahead, we spoke with cleaning pros to teach us how to clean hard water stains from your shower glass effectively, plus tips for keeping those spots at bay.

Materials You'll Need

Hard water stains won't come off with a basic glass cleaner, but luckily, pantry staples, like white vinegar and baking soda, will effectively remove the unsightly spots.

• Gloves
• White vinegar
• Paper towels
• Spray bottle
• Sponge
• Baking soda
• Distilled water
• Microfiber towel

How to Clean Hard Water Stains

Once you've gathered all your supplies, you're ready to begin cleaning. Start by warming up a generous amount of white vinegar over the stovetop until hot.

1. Soak Glass in White Vinegar

Wearing gloves, Roberson says to dip paper towels into the hot vinegar and stick them to your shower glass. "The slightly acidic nature of vinegar allows it to soak into and loosen the mineral deposits," he says. Let the vinegar sit for 30 to 60 minutes, then remove the paper towels. To keep the glass wet during this time, Roberson says to spray the paper towels occasionally with vinegar from a spray bottle.

2. Wipe Down Shower Door

Remove the paper towels when time is up, then sprinkle a damp rag or sponge with a generous amount of baking soda and wipe down the shower door gently. "Avoid vigorously scrubbing, which could scratch the shower door," Roberson says.

3. Rinse With Distilled Water

Rinse away any residual vinegar and baking soda by pouring distilled water over the glass. By now, the surface should be glistening, but if any limescale remains, Roberson says to repeat the baking soda scrub until all buildup has been removed. Dry with a microfiber towel.

How to Remove Tough Stains

According to Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean, vinegar is typically able to remove hard water stains—and should work effectively when it comes to this. "However, if your stains have been left too long and you find vinegar isn't working for you, you can also try using a lemon," she says.

1. Cut a lemon in half.
2. Dip the lemon in salt.
3. With the salted lemon, scrub the stains away.
4. After cleaning, spray the shower with lemon juice to keep the glass clean.

How Often You Should Clean Hard Water Stains

If you don't tackle hard water stains regularly, they can become a nightmare to remove. "The longer you wait, the more buildup occurs," says Melissa Poepping, founder of The Chemical Free Home. She recommends cleaning your shower every two weeks (or weekly if it sees heavy use).

How to Slow Future Limescale Buildup

If you have hard water in your home, these spots are unfortunately inevitable—but there are some ways to slow and minimize buildup.

Check Your Water Quality

Your water may have become harder than normal, which can make limescale more difficult to remove. "Our daily household water travels through layers of rocks before we use it, and the more time the water interacts with these minerals, the harder the water gets," says Roberson. If you notice cloudy spots on dishes and glasses, it may be a sign you need to check your home's water quality. If it's too hard, Sokolowski says investing in a water softener will help curb the issue.

Wipe Down Glass After Each Use

The best way to prevent buildup from occurring is by wiping down your shower after every use. "Remember, hard water stains form after the water evaporates and the minerals are left behind," Poepping says. "Wiping the area clean immediately eliminates the issue altogether."

To do so, Roberson recommends using a small squeegee after showering to ensure all water is wiped away.