How to Remove Water Spots from Shower Doors

Removing unsightly water spots from glass shower doors is easy to do. Water spots are caused by dissolved minerals found in hard water, and they become visible when water evaporates and leaves those minerals behind. They often appear as a white, chalky substance and, if left on glass shower doors for extended periods of time, they can become etched into the glass permanently. Preventing water spots is as simple as using the squeegee on the glass on a regular basis to keep it clean and free of the damaging minerals found in water. If you already have water spots on the glass, there are steps you can take to get rid of them.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vinegar
• Filtered water
• Spray Bottle
• Sponge
• Towels
• Rain-X glass treatment
• Rubber gloves

How to Remove Water Spots from Shower Doors

1. Combine 1 part vinegar with 4 parts filtered water in the empty spray bottle, and test the mixture on the glass shower door to see if it is strong enough to dissolve the water spots without damaging the glass. You may have to adjust this recipe according to how long the water spots have been left untreated. Use more vinegar for tough water spots.

2. Put on a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands and spray the mixture along the top of the glass shower door. Let the vinegar mixture sit for a few minutes.

3. Use the sponge to wipe off the vinegar mixture using circular motions to ensure you don't miss a spot. You should see the water spots begin to dissolve. If not, repeat Step 1 and Step 2 with a stronger concentration of vinegar.

4. Finish cleaning the rest of the glass shower door as you did in Step 1 through Step 3. You may have to use the abrasive side of the sponge to get stubborn stains off, but make sure to test an inconspicuous part of the glass shower door first to check for possible scratching. Once completed, dry the entire shower door with towels.

5. Once dry, apply some Rain-X glass treatment. Apply this product--commonly used for automobile windshields--to the glass shower door, according to the manufacturer's directions. Glass is a porous material, so the Rain-X will help to seal the glass's pores from damaging water minerals and effectively prevent future water spots.

Tips & Warnings

• For the most stubborn water spots, you should try using 100 percent vinegar and an abrasive sponge to remove the water spots. Keep a squeegee in your bathroom and use it regularly to prevent future water spots. Consider equipping your home with a water softener to eliminate hard water.
• Make sure the bathroom is properly ventilated while cleaning.

Resources

• Removing Hard Water Stains