Acidic cleaning products are toxic, so be sure to take safety precautions when handling them, such as wearing eye protection and gloves, and don’t use them on surfaces that come in contact with food, such as kitchen countertops. Acidic cleaning products work well on enamel and acrylic surfaces but can damage many others, including natural marble, stone, terrazzo, anodized or polished aluminum, and colored grout. To prevent damage, test the product in an inconspicuous area before using it on the entire stained area. [2] X Research source
Mix some lemon juice into the vinegar to increase the effectiveness and add a fresh lemon scent. Lemon juice (another an acid) has the same effect on minerals as vinegar. [4] X Research source Put your vinegar and lemon juice in a spray bottle and slightly warm them in the microwave, for 20-40 seconds depending on your microwave. A warmed cleaner can be more effective at lifting stains than cold or room temperature cleaner. Just be sure to remove the spray bottle top so that it doesn’t explode in the microwave. [5] X Research source Spray the vinegar solution on the glass and let it stand for about 2-3 minutes before wiping it clean with a dry, lint-free cloth or a paper towel. To remove hard water stains from drinking glasses and other small glass items, fill a basin with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water, and allow the items to soak in the solution for several hours before rinsing thoroughly.
Use “magic” and “eraser” cleaning pads or other non-scratching scrubbing sponges to safely scrub your glass surfaces. Try to remove as much as you can by scrubbing with one of these moistened sponges. [8] X Expert Source Raymond ChiuHouse Cleaning Professional Expert Interview. 8 May 2020. It’s okay to use baking soda as an abrasive,[9] X Expert Source Raymond ChiuHouse Cleaning Professional Expert Interview. 8 May 2020. but never use hard-bristle brushes or other abrasive cleaning tools when cleaning glass. These tools can damage the surface of the glass by scratching and/or etching it. Scrubbing works best on smaller hard water deposits, newer stains, and those that are not firmly set in. [10] X Research source
Apply some regular toothpaste to a moist towel and rub it over the stain using circular motions. Wait a few minutes and then rinse off the paste with equal parts water and vinegar to remove all residue.
The main benefit of using a paste over liquid cleaner is that the paste will not leave its own liquid streaks or water marks. A downside to using paste products, though, is that they can leave behind a foggy haze if not buffed off of the glass. Be sure to follow all the label instructions to avoid this side effect.
You can try to remove the minerals in the water by attaching a filter to your water system. [12] X Research source Water softeners can also be added to counteract hard water.
Dry your shower doors after each use with a lint-free towel or with a squeegee to remove all water residue or streaks. [13] X Research source Clean your glass every week or so to stay ahead of build-up. Act quickly: the longer a stain sits, the harder it will be to remove, and it can even become permanently etched into the glass surface. [14] X Research source
For glass tables, be sure to use coasters under drinking glasses. They’ll intercept any drips and spills and keep them from leaving ring stains on the table. [15] X Research source For shower doors, consider applying a wax-based protective coat once or twice a year. The water will run off the wax-treated glass and leave your door clear and clean. [16] X Research source
