How to Clean Hard Water Stains on the Shower Door ?

Updated on January 31, 2013
K.K. asks from Phoenix, AZ
26 answers

We bought an old house and it looks the previous owner did not take much care of the shower. The shower door has hard water stains on it. I tried toilet cleaner to clean it but it does not work. The shower door is made of stained glass ( i don't know what you call it...its not transparent glass). Even the shower tiles has hard water stains on them. Tried same toilet cleaner there but it dries so fast that i can't leave it for long time. Same problem am facing on the shower door. Nothing stays there for long time. What to say all toilet bowls has same problem. Hard water leaking in the toilet bowls made stains on them too. Now we got water softner but i have get rid of these stains. I hate to take shower in there. Sometimes i think to renovate all of it but i know we can't afford it. So want some genuine suggestions and please don't sell your products to me. Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thanks Vanessa. I was about to tell everyone what happened next. I used Weiman's cook top cleaner and its an amazing product. I want to say thanks to everyone for their valuable suggestions. I did not use CLR but will sure try this product also next time. Believe it or not ladies Weiman's cook top really workx but it also needs little elbow grease. I got it from Home Depot.

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L.S.

answers from Phoenix on

The best stuff I found to use on shower doors is Oxy clean spray! This stuff works magic!!!! Made my shower door look brand new! Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Las Cruces on

Depending on how bad the stain is CLR might work. You can get it in a spray bottle. Yoe can get it just about any where. For the toliet a pumace bar works with a lot of elbow grease same for the CLR you need to scrub hard. If you get it clean wipe it down with auto wax that will make the water run off better and not stick. Good luck

1 mom found this helpful

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B.W.

answers from Phoenix on

We use a product called 'Zep' from home Depot. It takes all the water stains off our shower door. Good luck! :)

1 mom found this helpful
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K.H.

answers from Albuquerque on

Depending on the hard water stain, you can use either white vinegar by itself or mixed into a paste with baking soda.

If you're doing the white vinegar alone (try this first), put it into a spray bottle and drench the area that needs cleaning. After letting it sit for a few minutes, use a soft cloth to wipe the area clean. If that didn't work, mix the white vinegar with baking soda to make a paste and with the same cloth, scrub the area. Baking soda is non-abrasive, so it won't scratch any surface.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.R.

answers from Phoenix on

I had the same issue with a house that I purchased back in 2000. You couldn't see through the tempered glass it was so thick. I found that Eliminate was the only thing that worked on the glass, the shower itself and the rust build-up on the stainless steel. Eliminate can be purchased at Home Depot.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.P.

answers from Phoenix on

I have had great success with Tub & Tile. It is a Melaleuca product. It has no harsh ingredients, and is water based. You probably would need to use the concentrate. There would be no need to wear gloves, and you can actually breathe while cleaning the shower! I also use it in the toilet to clean and freshen. I have numerous friends who have found success with it also. One friend cleans a number of homes. It won't harm the plumbing. My husband used it to clean rust spots in the bathroom of his 5th wheel. It you would like more information on shopping for this product, let me know.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.S.

answers from Phoenix on

I know it's already been said, but CLR works great on my shower! I'd highly recommend it.

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A.P.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi,
I owned a cleaning business and the best product we have found to get rid of those stains is CLR. This product is a strong chemical, so you need to use it scrubbing the glass door and then, rinse it immediately. You can get it at Home Depot, in the cleaning supplies area.

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C.H.

answers from Flagstaff on

I've used Comet bathroom cleaner. I just sprayed it on and it just rinsed away. Of course, my shower probably isn't as bad as yours so it may take some elbow grease as well. Once you do have it off, make sure to wipe the door with lemon oil. It helps keep the glass clean. We have a softener as well, but still need to wipe with lemon oil

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M.B.

answers from Las Cruces on

Have you tried vinagar or lemon? That might do it. I live where there is nothing but hard water and alot of time we have to use vinagar. M.

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H.S.

answers from Phoenix on

I've heard lemon oil works. Like the Old English furniture lemon oil. Haven't tried it yet but its supposed to get the hard water stains off of the glass. Just be careful about getting the floor slippery with it.

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B.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

Okay here we go: My mother has a house the same way. First try CLR (calcium lime and rust). It does take some scubbing but it should help. If not talk to one of your local restaurants and find out who services their dishwasher and sanitization equiptment. They should have a product designed to remove scale that is generally stronger than store products. And finally, when you have your shower clean, dry it with a towel and use a heavy duty car wax on it. This will keep the water deposits from sticking and as long as the shower is kept clean and waxed occasionally it will stay clean.

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K.E.

answers from Phoenix on

softscrub, vinegar and water, Bon ami. Once you get the stains off, seal it with car wax so you only need to wipe it after every shower and it will stay pretty clean. For the toilet, I'd buy a pumice stone and scrub with that. Then I'd buy bleach tablets and put it in the tank.

Best to you,
K.

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K.M.

answers from Albuquerque on

Hello.
You've had lots of recommendations for CLR. I have the same problem. CLR is what I've had the best luck with. Lime Away didn't touch my problem, so I hope it will work for you. I'm going to try some of the other suggestions you had on mine. Thanks for posting.

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N.B.

answers from Phoenix on

I've been trying CLR and all the other products that claim to get hard water stains off (in addition to scrubbing so hard I was sore the next day) ant although after about 20 cleanings I saw some improvement, it's still horrible. I've heard that cheap shampoo works?? Haven't tried it yet, it's my next step after the high strength vinegar people tout.

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C.S.

answers from Albuquerque on

You can use a pumice stone in the toilets. It takes some elbo grease, but works well, however it may scartch the tile and the shower door depending on what kind it is. Good luck to you.
C.

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H.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Lime Away is fantastic! It is made to remove hard water. It even comes in a spray form. All you need to do is spray it on and use a scrub brush. You may have to do it twice, but it takes off the hardest water spots. As far as the toilet bowls I recommend using a pumice stone.You can purchase both things anywhere. I suggest going to Target or Wal-Mart for them.

Good Luck and Congrats on the new house.

H. M.

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M.K.

answers from Phoenix on

I second the CLR! Its the only thing I have found that gets rid of the hard water. I have to use it at least once a month here due to the horrible hard water deposits.

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L.G.

answers from Phoenix on

you can try a pumice stone and lots of water(we have one i use for the pool, quite large and a bit rough--much rougher than the one you use on your feet). For some reason it doesn't scratch the tile. it will definatley work on the toilet.

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J.K.

answers from Phoenix on

I have to agree that Melaleuca Tub and Tile would be the best. I've tried them all. Spray it and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Good luck!

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A.K.

answers from Albuquerque on

I think that you have plenty of ideas to try...I just want to add that once you get the stains off apply a thick coat of lemon oil furniture polish. That will help keep the stains off longer and it repels water.

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V.R.

answers from Albuquerque on

Try Weiman's Stove Top Cleaner try some on DRY glass using one of those scratch-free green scrubbers that everyone uses. Don't wet the scrubber before using either.scrub a small area using a circular motion and some REAL elbow grease! Lo and behold, the scum will actually start to come off. It will take several attempts because the scum comes off in layers. You can dab a little bit of water on the scrubber when the cleaner gets too dry after all the scrubbing, but just a few drops. Most of your glass should look brand new. You might have a few more stubborn areas but what a difference!

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T.R.

answers from Phoenix on

I had a similiar problem when we bought our house... try CLR; it's really strong & worked like a charm! Hope this helps

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M.L.

answers from Phoenix on

scrub free works for us, you do have to scrub a little though.

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J.R.

answers from Phoenix on

White Vinager works wonders!

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M.C.

answers from Tucson on

Let some straight bleach sit in toilets and spray all over shower. Rinse after 1/2 hour then use oxi clean in a thicker pastier form on your shower. That worked for us under similar circumstances.

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