Removing Hard Water Stains on Glasses


Have you ever had a glass that was one of the favorites to use or have you noticed your glasses aren’t as good looking as they used to be? Hard water stains can make glasses look cloudy, dirty and old. For tips on how to remove hard water stains, read below.

First thing is, if you notice hard water stains are starting to build, don’t just leave them. They should be taken care of as you begin to notice them because then it will become trickier to remove the stains.

What Causes Hard Water Stains?

Hard water stains (aka mineral deposit stains) are caused by hard water in the home water supply. The stains can appear as either white or chalky deposits or dark orange, rust-looking spots. The stains can appear on any surface that comes in contact with the hard water like appliances, sinks, faucets, bathtubs, tiles and dishes. After the water evaporator, the minerals left behind such as limestone, calcium, and magnesium, leave the stain or residue. 

Hard Water icon. Trendy flat vector Hard Water icon on white bac

There are a couple of different tips and strategies to get rid of these stains.

  1. If there is a very difficult stain, soak it in white vinegar and hot water for one-to-two hours and then hand wash the glass using dish washing soap and lukewarm water. Rinse and dry immediately using a microfiber towel.
  2. Use a damp newspaper to make the scrubbing process easier.
  3. Coat with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and let it sit for several days. Wipe away and wash the glass by hand. Dry immediately using a microfiber towel.
  4. Make a paste from white vinegar and baking soda and place directly on the stain. Leave on for a few minutes and then rinse off. Clean the glass by hand washing with dish washing soap and lukewarm water. Rinse and dry immediately using a microfiber towel.

Some ways to prevent hard water stains would be to towel dry the glasses after they are done being washed. Make sure the towel is clean and lint free in order to give the glass a clean shine.

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