How do I clean glass shower doors that have hard water stains?

Tracey Antunes
by Tracey Antunes

Hi there, how do you clean glass shower doors that have hard water stains, each week it’s a hard arm wrenching chore. Scrubbing is my usual method. Thankyou

  11 answers
  • Oliva Oliva on Nov 27, 2019

    If the tile area is not marble, granite, etc., try a 50/50 mix of white distilled vinegar and water on the glass. Use a microfiber cloth that has never seen fabric softener.

    Dry using a squeegee, wiping the blade between each long stroke.

    Buff dry.


    • See 1 previous
    • Oliva Oliva on Nov 27, 2019

      Hi, Tracey,

      Try making a thick paste of cream of tarter and water, or cornstarch and water, or baking soda and water. You'll definitely need some elbow grease, but the abrasive action of these will clean the glass.

      You may need to consider a weekly application of vinegar to reduce the hard water build up. If it's really severe, a water softener may be the answer. If this is a problem on porcelain or ceramic tile, I've had luck with Comet cleanser and Bon Ami, but it does entail much elbow grease!

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Nov 27, 2019

    Here are 3 options:

    Cut a grapefruit in half, cover with kosher salt and use as a scrubber.

    Lysol Power Scum cleaner in the blue trigger spray bottle with a Magic Eraser or a scrub brush.

    Wet & forget shower for a slower, no scrub solution. You can use 2x a week to accelerate the cleaning process then once a week to keep it clean.

  • Lucky Home Today Lucky Home Today on Nov 27, 2019

    Welcome to my world! Once you get your arm workout done (scrubbing it good and clean) put on a coat of RainX car wax. It will help your hard work stay nicer longer. Also look into a water softener for your home. It’s amazing for your skin, cleaner dishes, etc.

  • Toni @ Girl, Just DIY! Toni @ Girl, Just DIY! on Nov 29, 2019

    A magic eraser does wonders on shower doors.

  • I've used a 50/50 mix of vinegar and dish soap, let it sit then scrub. CLR might work. After it's clean, apply several coats of RainX and use a squeegee after each shower to make cleaning less of a pain.

  • Izz14814376 Izz14814376 on Apr 03, 2021

    I wet papertowels with white vinegar and stick it to the area I want to clean and let it sit overnight. Spritzing occassionally to keep it moist . Rinse, and if need be, light scrubbing with a scotchbrite pad or pumice, then dry and spray with RainX Original for windshields . That will help shed the water and keep the alkali from sticking so cleaning is MUCH easier thereafter. I've gone months without having to clean.. Just a quick squeegee after showering and DONE!

  • Dee Dee on May 01, 2021

    1 cup of White vinegar warmed up, mixed with 1/4 cup of dawn platinum., Fill spray bottle with water. Spray the shower door and let stand about an hour. Rinse. You may have to do this a few times to get off all the hard water stains.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Jun 12, 2023

    Get rid of grime on the interior of your glass shower door by following these simple steps:

    1. Mix one part vinegar with two parts distilled water in an empty spray bottle and shake well.
    2. Spray the surface of the shower door with the solution and let it work its magic for 10 minutes.
    3. Use a microfiber sponge to wipe away the grime. If you see streaks once the door has dried, use your microfiber cloth to buff them out in a circular motion.


  • Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 solution of Dawn dish soap and vinegar. Spray it on the hard water stains and let it work. If they are tougher stains, you may have to scrub with a plastic scrubbie!