Hard Water Stains on Windows
Hard water stains give your windows an unpleasant look. They make the windows look dirty, hazy and old.
It’s important to try and prevent hard water stains from occurring on your windows in the first place. We also recommend treating them as soon as possible so the buildup doesn’t get worse over time.
What causes hard water stains on your windows?
In some regions water contains high levels of minerals and compounds such as magnesium, calcium, bicarbonates and sulfates. This is commonly referred to as hard water. When hard water contacts your windows, it leaves spots on the surface.
These spots are mineral deposits that can be really hard to remove. In most cases, sprinkler systems and water from your garden hose cause hard water spots on your windows.
Often times the basement and the main floor windows are the worst hit. This is usually because you and your sprinkler are trying to keep your grass and garden looking lush.
Hard water stains are also frequently found at the bottom third of the window. This usually happens when you have a thick brick window ledge made from limestone or crushed concrete. When the rain hits the brick ledge, it bounces off and hits the bottom portion of the window. This leaves trace amounts of minerals from the brick, but overtime it can build up on the surface of the window.
How to prevent hard water stains on your windows?
As the saying goes: "prevention is better than cure". The same can be said about hard water stains. Luckily, hard water stains on windows can be easily prevented.
If you clean your windows on a regular basis, then you will find it easy to get rid of the stains. It’s a lot easier to remove recent hard water stains than old ones.
We recommend that you take precaution while watering your garden and try not to hit your windows. Work with your sprinkler installer to position your sprinklers away from your windows (don’t forget about your basement windows).
How to remove hard water stains from your windows?
Removing hard water stains from windows is not always easy. There are many different ways to remove hard water stains from your windows depending on the severity. Do not use any abrasives unless you know the proper technique or have the correct tools. To avoid scratching the glass always perform a spot test in a small inconspicuous area. Never use an abrasive on tempered glass. When in doubt, contact a professional window cleaner like Stone Cliff Window Cleaning.
Some commonly used products for removing hard water stains include:
Water and vinegar solution (50/50 mixture)
Mix the solution evenly into a spray bottle
Spray the solution all over the window and wait for one minute
Use a dry cloth to wipe off the solution
When wiping, put pressure on the window in the areas where hard water stains have appeared
Wet the window and clean it as you normally would
Scraper
First check if the window is tempered. If it is, do not use a scraper
Clean the window as you normally would. This ensures there is nothing left on the window prior to scraping it
Wet the window
Using your scraper travel in one direction from the top of the window down (do no go back and forth)
Wet the window and clean it as you normally would
Only use a scraper if you have the correct tools and experience
Super fine steel wool
First check if the window is tempered. If it is, do not use steel wool
Clean the window as you normally would. This ensures there is nothing left on the window prior to using steel wool
Wet the window
Using your super fine steel wool, rub the glass from the top down
Wet the window and clean it as you normally would
Only use steel wool if you have the correct tools and experience
Commercial cleaners and chemicals
If you are using a commercial cleaner follow the label
Always use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment while working with chemicals
For the sorbo hard water stain remover:
Mix the powder with water to make a paste
Apply it to the glass using a soft wet towel or white nylon scrub pad
Removing hard water stains on windows can be a very difficult and time consuming task, especially if the windows are not on the ground floor.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself or don’t have the correct tools, be sure to hire a professional window cleaner like Stone Cliff Window Cleaning.
Contact us today to get a free quote!