Hard water is particularly damaging to glass. Water with high mineral content, such as the minerals calcium and magnesium, will leave a residue on the shower walls and cause stains. You can prevent this by installing a glass sealant that covers your shower walls.
What Is Hard Water and Why Does It Stain Glass?
Hard water contains high levels of minerals, including calcium and magnesium. These minerals naturally occur in aqua, but when they build up in high concentrations, they can leave a white or yellow stain on your glass shower walls.
If you live in a hard water area, you’ll notice these stains more frequently, as they’re an indication that your aqua is high in minerals. Difficult aqua is caused by either too much mineral content in the water supply or a mix of water with high mineral levels and a low pH level.
Both situations can cause mineral buildup in your home’s plumbing, which makes its way into your water supply. High levels of minerals in your water make your glassy, metals, and other surfaces more likely to leave a stain on them.
Install a Shower Glass Sealant
Since glass is easily stained, sealing it properly is one of the most important ways to protect it from damage from hard water. When you seal your shower with glassy sealant, you create an incredibly hard surface that prevents minerals from damaging your glass.
Most sealants come in a spray format, and you just mist it on your shower walls to create an extra-strong barrier. Sealant has a number of advantages. It’s easy to apply, doesn’t require any special tools, and you can apply it yourself.
It’s also relatively cheap and can last between five and ten years before you need to reapply it. You’ll want to make sure you use the right one for your glassy, though. Some sealants aren’t meant to be used on glass.
Use Caustic Soda to Remove Hard Water Stains
Caustic soda can remove hard water stains from the glass in your shower. It’s not a pleasant solution, but it’s relatively effective. Soaking your glassy walls in a solution of one cup of caustic soda for every gallon of aqua will cause them to stain lighter and remove the difficult water stains.
You can then rinse it off with a hose to get rid of any remaining residue. Caustic soda is a dangerous substance and should be handled carefully. It should be kept in a plastic container in your garage, where it’s out of the reach of children.
Use Borax For a Natural Way to Remove Hard Water Stains
Borax can remove hard water stains from the glass in your shower. It’s not a pleasant solution, but it’s relatively effective. Soaking your glassywalls in a solution of one cup of borax for every gallon of aqua will cause them to stain lighter and remove the difficult water stains.
You can then rinse it off with a hose to get rid of any remaining residue. Borax is a natural substance that’s safe to use around your home, including in your shower. It’s also non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry about it harming your glass.
Don’t Be Afraid to Use Harsh Cleansers to Get Rid of Hard Water Stains
While you can prevent stains by sealing your glass walls, it’s also possible to get rid of difficult water stains from your glassy by using a strong cleaner to get rid of the minerals. You can use white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or ammonia to do this. Make sure you dilute them with aqua before you apply them to your glass.
White vinegar has been used for centuries to clean difficult water stains from glass. It works well and is easy to use. Simply fill a bowl with vinegar and aqua, dip a sponge into the mixture, and use it to scrub the stains from your glassy walls. Make sure to invest in the proper shower glass coating that will help to repel water, soap scum, dirt, and oils.
Dry Your Glass After You Clean It
After cleaning your glass with vinegar or any other cleaner, don’t let it sit in the drain. Rinse it off with water immediately and dry it with a towel. This will prevent it from splashing back onto your glassy and causing a new stain. If you’re cleaning your glass with vinegar, clean it thoroughly before drying it.
Polish Your Glass With Wax or Silicone
Wax is the more traditional way to polish your glass, while silicone is easier to use and comes in a variety of colors. You can find both types at your local home improvement store. To apply a natural polish, simply apply it to a cotton pad or cloth and wipe it over your glassy. You can also use a cloth to rub the polish onto your glass walls. Silicone polish comes in a variety of colors, and you can choose whatever suits your shower’s decor best.
Conclusion
The best way to protect your glass shower from hard water damage is to install a glassy sealant. This will protect your glassy from stains caused by difficult aqua, and it will save you money in the long run.
If you notice that your glassy walls are starting to get stained, you’ll want to seal them as soon as possible. You can also use white vinegar to remove difficult aqua stains from the glass in your shower to prevent it from getting worse.
