How to Clean Lime Covered Shower Glass

When people talk about "lime" -- also commonly described as limescale, scale, mineral buildup and calcium deposits -- on surfaces such as shower glass, they are describing the accumulation of calcium carbonate, other minerals and soap scum. These deposits typically look like a white film or encrustations. As the lime can harden to rock-hard consistency on the surface as it dries, it can prove difficult to remove -- especially if you haven't cleaned the surface and it has thickened. Typically, you must use a natural or commercial acidic cleaner and/or commercial descaler to break down and dissolve the scale for removal.

Things You'll Need

• Large spray bottles
• Distilled white vinegar
• Sponges
• Lint-free microfiber cloths
• Razor-blade glass scraper
• Glass-approved non-abrasive scrubbing pad
• Squeegee

Instructions

1. Fill a spray bottle with undiluted distilled white vinegar. Fill another spray bottle with clean water.

2. Spray the vinegar on the shower glass -- soaking the entire glass if dealing with thin film or a 1-foot section if dealing with thicker deposits.

3. Wait 10 minutes and then try to remove the limescale. If you're dealing with a thin film, wipe the glass with a sponge or lint-free microfiber cloth. If you're dealing with thicker deposits, push the razor edge of a razor-blade glass scraper against the edge of one of the deposits in the 1-foot area that you soaked with vinegar and try to pry and scrape the deposit from the glass. When finished, soak another 1-foot section and repeat until you've cleaned the entire surface.

4. Scrub the entire shower glass surface lightly with a glass-approved non-abrasive scrubbing pad to remove any remaining spots.

5. Rinse the glass thoroughly using the water-filled spray bottle, or water from the shower head, until you have flushed the vinegar and deposit residues completely from the shower -- especially any areas that have sealant or exposed, nonsealed metal parts that the vinegar could corrode.

6. Wipe away the excess water with a sponge or squeegee when finished.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can't remove all of the deposits, rinse the shower thoroughly and then soak the spots with a commercial acidic cleaner or descaling solution. Follow the manufacturer's recommended wait times and then remove the solution and deposits with your tools and fresh water.

• Always wipe dry the shower glass with a towel, or use a squeegee, after every shower and clean the glass weekly with a glass cleaner or descaling solution.

References

• Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County: Alternative Cleaning Methods