Citric Acid Cleaner | How to Get Rid of Hard Water Stains on Glass

Ever stared at your shower and thought, "Is that a window to a parallel universe or just my hard water stains?" I've been there, done that.


Today, I'm sharing a simple DIY solution I found on Aurikatariina on how to clean a glass shower door. I’ll show you how to tackle those stubborn stains using the magical power of citric acid cleaner.

Tools and Materials:

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Hard water stains on shower door

Let's turn those cloudy doors into crystal-clear portals, shall we?

DIY citric acid cleaner for hard water stains on shower doors

1. Make Citric Acid Solution

Mix about 3 tablespoons of citric acid with about 200ml of hot water to create a solution.

How to clean shower glass with citric acid

Pour the citric acid cleaning solution into a spray bottle.

Remove calcium buildup in shower using citric acid solution

2. Spray the Doors

Now, clean the shower doors to remove dirt and grime before applying the citric acid mixture.

Spray door with citric acid solution

Liberally spray the solution onto the hard water stains on the shower doors. Ensure the affected areas are well-covered.

Cover doors in plastic wrap

3. Cover the Doors in Plastic Wrap

Now, we don't want that solution to drip off the doors or evaporate, so to prevent this you need to cover the doors in plastic wrap.

A natural solution for hard water stains on glass

4. Let it Sit

Allow the solution to sit on the stains for at least 2 hours. This gives the acid time to react with and break down the mineral deposits.

Say goodbye to hard water stains

5. Remove Plastic and Scrub

Remove the plastic from the doors and now it’s time for some elbow grease.

Scrub the shower door

Use a soft cloth or sponge to gently scrub the treated areas. The combination of citric acid and mechanical action will help loosen and remove the stains.

Rinse the shower doors

6. Rinse the Shower Doors

Rinse off the shower doors thoroughly with water to remove any remaining citric acid residue.

Best way to get rid of glass shower door hard water stains naturally

7. Dry and Polish

If you have a squeegee, use it to remove as much water from the doors as possible.


Now, dry the doors with a cloth or towel.


Shower Cleaning Tips

For more ideas on keeping your bathroom clean, check out this Shower Cleaning Hacks tutorial.


How to Get Rid of Hard Water Stains on Glass Shower Doors

We did it! Your shower is officially free from those annoying water stains, all thanks to our DIY citric acid cleaner.


Can't wait to hear your thoughts! Dive into the cleaning fun, follow the steps, and don't forget to drop a comment

Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  3 questions
  • Sandra Christman Sandra Christman on Dec 06, 2023
    Will this method work on all shower sufaces?
  • Anita kobza Anita kobza on Jan 20, 2024
    I plan to try this on the outside of the windows of my house. It should work, right?
  • Kcb96739369 Kcb96739369 on Jan 20, 2024
    Wonder how effective it would be for water stains on a car? Car Windows?
Comments
Join the conversation
 1 comment
  • Cynthia T Fenimore Cynthia T Fenimore on Dec 06, 2023
    Add some Dawn dish soap to your citric acid or vinegar to thicken it and skip the plastic wrap. The thickened mixture stays on the glass and tile. Same idea just not using even more plastic to our landfills.
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