Hard water stains are caused by calcium and magnesium in the water, which creates what we call lime scale that tends to make our shower doors look particularly unattractive. A water softener can eliminate this problem, but is a bit more of an investment than most people want to afford. Fortunately there are some easy methods to removing those unsightly stains.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Combine one cup of vinegar with two tablespoons of baking soda for a natural and inexpensive, yet effective household cleaner. Apply the mixture to the hard water stains, let it sit for about twenty minutes, then use a steel wool pad to scrub the stubborn mineral deposits out of sight.

WD-40

WD-40 is a wonderful cure-all for many stubborn issues around the house, from squeaky hinges, to rusty lawn chairs, to, yes, removing hard water stains! Just spray onto the affected area, let it sit for about ten minutes, then use a steel wool pad to remove the stains. This method requires almost no elbow grease, but does need a follow-up of window cleaner to remove the oily product.

Lemonade

Think citric acid. Like the vinegar mix, the acidic qualities of this remedy will eat through the mineral deposits caused by hard water. For a surprisingly effective method to getting rid of those hard water stains while staying friendly to the environment, combine two-thirds of a cup of water to one packet of powdered lemonade mix. Use a steel wool pad to scrub the stains with the strong lemonade and they will soon disappear. As an alternative, cut a lemon in half and rub the halves onto the stains, then scrub with the pad.

No matter which method is used, vinegar and baking soda, WD-40, or the refreshing power of lemonade, hard water stains don’t stand a chance. No remedy will work if the glass has been permanently etched, so be sure to squeegee after every water use to prevent the lime scale from forming again. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and will also save a lot of elbow grease!