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How to remove hard water stain on glass: 4 key techniques

Hard water can leave white marks all over your glasses, making them look dirtier than they really are. Here's how to remove hard water stains from glass!

Updated

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Written by Eunice Samson

A slection of glasses, read on to learn how to remove hard water stains from glass

Are you familiar with hard water stains? Leaving milky, white deposits on your glasses, these stains make them appear a little dirty at all times even if they are actually perfectly clean.

Fortunately, all it takes to avoid this issue is a little know-how; if you know what you are dealing with, removing water stains won’t be a problem anymore, and your glasses should be sparkly and fresh in no time once you know how to clean hard water stains from glass.

Removing hard water stains from your glasses can be easy when you know how! White vinegar can help remove these unsightly marks – and you can help prevent them from appearing by drying your glasses with a clean, lint-free cloth as soon as possible after washing.

How to Remove Water Stains from Glass: Four key techniques

There are various tips and tricks on how to remove water stains from glass, so feel free to try out various techniques in order to figure out what works best for you.

Method 1: Use a good dishwashing soap (like Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid) to make sure that your glassware is clean and bright. Follow the directions on the label, and make sure you rinse your glasses before drying them.

Method 2: One surprisingly simple way to tackle these water stains is to grab an old black and white newspaper, as the newsprint can reduce the minerals, making it possible to simply scrub the stains away. You can either use the newspaper in its dry state and wipe the glass with it or soak the newspaper sheet in water before rubbing the glass.

Method 3: White vinegar is another home remedy to remove hard water stains. It helps loosen mineral deposits from the glass. You can even mix in some lemon juice, and then spray the solution onto the glass.

Method 4: Alternatively, use white vinegar mixed with a bit of baking soda to form a paste and apply it to the stained area of the glass, rinsing it off after a couple of minutes. If you are facing particularly stubborn stains, soak your glasses in a vinegar and hot water solution for a little while then try gently scrubbing the stains away after.

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What are Hard Water Stains on Glass, Exactly?

Hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium, which leave behind stains on glass. The tricky part is that these minerals can be difficult to remove, turning stain removal into a challenge.

Extra Tips and Tricks on How to Clean Hard Water Deposits

  1. Time is everything. Make sure to deal with any hard water marks as soon as they appear

  2. Cleaning products. If you are not a fan of home remedies, look out for specific cleaning products designed to help remove hard water stains from glass instead.

  3. Try a rinse aid. If you have a dishwasher, try using a rinse aid - you can find these in online stores and at shops selling imported goods.

  4. Dry glasses properly. Use a towel which is clean and lint-free for the best possible results and to leave your glasses shiny and clear.

ways to conserve water at home

* Don’t let hard water stains build up. The longer they’re left there, the harder they’ll be to remove.

  • A handy trick is to use newspaper to scrub hard water stains from glasses.

  • Dry your glasses with a soft, lint-free cloth to ensure you don’t scratch them.

Do you want to learn which household cleaning tasks cause the most stress?  Then read our Heated Household data analysis. 

Frequently asked questions on removing hard water stains

How do you remove chlorine stains from glass?

Discovering how to remove chlorine stains from glass is actually easier than you think. You will need warm water, white vinegar and a soft, cotton cloth. Add two teaspoons of white vinegar to 1.5 litres of warm water. Dip your cloth into the solution and use this to wipe your glassware clean of the chlorine stain.

Can you use glass polish to remove hard water stains?

Using glass polish to remove hard water stains, runoff, and other "surface" damage on your glassware could actually work better than stain removal chemicals. Did you know that glass polishing could also help you to remove most of the fine hairlines scratches you often see on glass? If you want more advice, we have another article all about how to clean cloudy glasses which could be just what you need.

How do you remove grease from glasses?

The steps for how to remove grease from glasses are simple. Start by coating the stain with dish liquid and baking soda. Next, cover the area with hot water, either by filling the glassware or submerging it. Leave the glassware to soak for a minimum of 15 minutes before scrubbing the stained area with an abrasive sponge. Now all that is left is for you to rinse away the greasy residue and admire your sparkling glassware.

How do you get salt water stains off glass?

If you want to learn how to get saltwater stains off glass we recommend using white vinegar. The acidity of this product will break down the mineral deposits and allow you to leave your glassware good as new.

Originally published