How to Clean Hard Water Spots

Do you have extra privacy when showering thanks to beads of hard water that have dried and left your glass shower door clouded? If so, you’ve probably got HARD WATER. You’re not alone—more than 85 percent of US households have hard water.

The scale or mineral deposits from hard water and soap scum often leave annoying spots on shower doors, dishes, and fixtures that are cumbersome and tough to remove. Here are a few tips that might make the laborious task of removing hard water spots a little easier.

Two Great Ways to Rid Yourself of Tough Hard Water Spots (or years of scale buildup)

1. Oxalic acid products (such as Bar Keeper’s Friend) – If you have very hard water or a lot of water spots you’re looking to remove, this is a very inexpensive yet effective way to tackle scale buildup. Make a paste of the powder mixed with water and wipe it onto the surface you’re trying to clean. Allow the paste to sit for a few minutes, and then rinse off with water.
2. White erasers – Erasers such as Outdoor Pro Magic Erasers do a pretty good job of taking care of hard water spots, too. The “pro” versions are a little sturdier and seem to hold up better than the smaller household erasers.

Daily Upkeep for Removing Water Spots

1. Daily Vinegar Spray:  After showering each day, try spraying a three-part water and one-part white vinegar solution on shower doors and walls. The solution will sit and work to break down the effects of hard water.
2. Lemon Juice & Vinegar 50/50 mixture– Create a mixture of half lemon juice and half vinegar in a spray bottle. This natural method works well for cleaning fixtures and shower walls if your water isn’t very hard, but you simply want to keep spots at bay.
3. Water & Spot-free Dish Agent – Create a solution of water spiked with a small dose of spot-free dish agent in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on shower walls and then squeegee after each shower.
4. Wet Dryer Sheets –The abrasive fibers in dryer sheets creates a cleaning surface that will remove hard water spots but won’t scratch sinks, fixtures and tubs. Save your old dryer sheets after each dryer batch because used dryer sheets work best. 

The Long-Term Solution to Overcome Hard Water Issues

While all of these tips work well, hard water spots will continually return and require time and labor to eliminate. The only guaranteed way to eliminate scale buildup is to condition or soften the water coming into your home with a system such as the Reionator water conditioning system. The innovative and proprietary technology of WaterTech’s Reionator water conditioner goes way beyond softening water. Its proven multi-resin process also removes chlorine taste and odor while reducing that slippery feel often associated with softened water. It does all this without the need for costly filter changes, creating the ultimate quality water.

Want to learn more about the impact of hard water on your home? We invite you to download our Hard Water Guide:

• Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of hard water.
• Understand how your home is affected at varying degrees of water hardness.
• See vivid graphics and easy-to-understand facts that explain hard water. What it is, where it comes from and why it’s costing you money.
• Learn how a water softening system can impact your daily life.