How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Shower Glass
Spray citric acid and cover with plastic wrap, and cloudy glass comes clean without scrubbing. Thirty seconds with a squeegee each day keeps it that way.
What you need
Supplies
- 2 tsp citric acid
- 400 ml (1 2/3 cups) water
- A few drops of dish soap
Tools
- Spray bottle
- Plastic wrap or paper towels
- Soft sponge
- Squeegee
- Dry microfiber cloth
How to do it
- 01
Remove soap scum first
The cloudy film at the bottom of the glass is soap scum made from shampoo and soap oils. Wipe it once with a sponge and soapy water so the citric acid can reach the mineral spots directly.
- 02
Spray citric acid
Dissolve 2 tsp of citric acid in 400 ml of water in a spray bottle and spray the whole glass evenly. Spray the heaviest white spots twice.
- 03
Cover with plastic wrap
Press plastic wrap onto the glass so the solution does not run off or dry out. Paper towels sprayed again also work. Leave it for 20–30 minutes.
- 04
Scrub with the crumpled wrap
Crumple the wrap into a ball and use it like a scrubber; it pushes off the stains without scratching the glass. Finish corners and hinges with a soft sponge.
- 05
Rinse and squeegee
Rinse from top to bottom with the shower, then squeegee the water off. Wipe the edges with a dry microfiber cloth for crystal-clear glass.
Be careful
- Aluminum frames and metal hinges can discolor with prolonged acid contact. Rinse any solution off the frame right away.
- On glass with a water-repellent coating, avoid abrasives, baking soda and melamine sponges, which strip the coating.
- Do not use citric acid on a day you have used bleach. Mixing them releases toxic gas.
Malkkeum tips
- One pass with a squeegee after each shower almost stops hard water stains forming. Hang it next to the door.
- A glass water-repellent treatment after cleaning makes water bead off and stretches the time between cleans.
- A haze that never comes off may be glass etched by minerals. Cleaners cannot remove etching.
Why shower glass clouds up so fast
Shower glass is hit by hot water every day and left to dry, again and again. Each drying droplet leaves tap water minerals as white spots, and a thin layer of shampoo and soap oil settles on top, creating a cloudy film. That is why shower glass should be cleaned in the order soap scum (oil) → hard water (minerals).
Why use plastic wrap?
Glass is vertical, so cleaners run straight off. To dissolve mineral deposits the citric acid has to stay in contact, and plastic wrap keeps it from running or drying. Crumpled up afterwards, it doubles as a gentle scrubber.
The caulk and track below
Black mold often grows on the silicone and sliding track at the bottom of the door. Citric acid does not remove mold, so treat it separately on another day with the bathroom silicone mold removal method.
FAQ
Can I use vinegar? Yes, mix vinegar and water 1:1 and use the same method. Turn on the fan and rinse well, as the smell lingers.
