It’s easy to keep windows free of unsightly hard water stains.
Hard water stains on your windows are typically caused by minerals such as calcium or magnesium drying on the surface of the glass. After the surface of a window gets wet, the water eventually evaporates and leaves behind these mineral deposits. Sprinklers, car washes, and showers are the usual culprits when it comes to hard water stains forming on windows. These deposits are alkali, so an acid is necessary to remove them. Here’s what you can do.
Vinegar Solution
Fill up a squirt bottle with a solution of half water and half vinegar. Distilled white vinegar is the most effective kind to use, and it’s also inexpensive. Some harder to remove spots may require a higher concentration of vinegar, so adjust your water to vinegar ratio according to the severity of the water stains. Soak the spots with the vinegar solution before taking scrubbing it with a rough towel. You should not have to scrub too hard, as the bumps on the towel will serve as an abrasive to allow the penetrate the mineral build-up. You may have to go over the area a couple times, depending on how bad the stains are.
Alternatives
Lemon juice has similar acidic properties to vinegar, and is often just as effective. A fresh lemon will usually work better than bottled juice. Essential citrus-based oils may be another alternative for removing hard water spots. These oils also have the added benefit of acting as a water repellant against future mineral deposit buildups. Applying white toothpaste to the area may also work, as toothpaste is made to remove buildup.
Commercial Cleaners
There are also a number of commercial cleaning products on the market that can remove hard water stains such as CLR (calcium, lime, rust remover). That said, always exercise caution when using abrasive products as they could cause unwanted damage or scratches to the glass. When in doubt, call a professional window cleaning expert to get the job done without any stress!
Professional Window Cleaning Services from A 360 Cleaning
A 360 Cleaning has provided Maryland with top-notch professional cleaning and janitorial services for over 12 years. Our experience helps us understand exactly what you and your medical office needs. We don’t cut corners and ensure that every customer is satisfied with their cleaning. To explore how we can help keep your medical office clean and green this summer, give us a call at 410-852-5800 or visit us online. For more cleaning tips, follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn.