Trying to remove hard water stains on glass can prove to be very frustrating .You scrub for hours on end, then you rinse, expecting to be left with nothing but crystal clear glass and behold… they remain, seemingly mocking you and your sore arm. If you have been plagued by those pesky little buggers, don’t despair they can be defeated. Hard water stains are made up of miniscule mineral deposits in your water, largely alkaline based.

To get rid of them you would need an acidic solution, however lugging a huge vat of hydrochloric acid into your bathroom is not a very bright idea. I have been in the cleaning industry for fifteen years and the following methods have proven to be very effective and quite safe.

Method 1 (mild cases)

* Pure lemon juice

* White vinegar

* Baking soda

* 0. 0 rated steel wool or scrubbing pad rated for glass

* Spray bottle

* Toothbrush (very firm)

* Protective eyeware

1. Spray lemon juice directly onto stains and let set for a few minutes

2. Mix equal parts of vinegar and lemon juice then add baking soda to your solution until you’re left with a consistency similar to that of toothpaste.

3. Using the scouring pad or steel wool, apply the mixture to stains working in small circular motions. For getting to those hard to reach corners and edges the toothbrush will do nicely (don’t use on teeth afterward). You might hear a light fizzing, that would be the baking soda reacting with the liquids. When done, rinse and smile.

Prevent new stains by spraying a solution of vinegar and water on glass regularly.

For more severe cases the most effective approach is the use of a product called Cerium Oxide. Available in different grades and price ranges, cerium oxide can be easily purchased online and is not costly. Naturally the higher the grade the better the product and consequently, better results will be achieved. Cerium oxide is safe to use, however it being a powder, I recommend the use of a dust mask when mixing. For this method you may use some type of rotary buffing tool with a polishing pad rated for glass but only if you are familiar with such a tool.

Method 2 (most severe cases)

* 0.0 rated steel wool or scrubbing pad rated for glass

* cerium oxide powder or premixed cerium oxide slurry

* buffing tool with pads rated for glass (in place of scrubbing pads)

* spray bottle filled with water

*protective eyeware

1. Mix your cerium oxide powder with water until you get a slurry with a consistency similar to that of toothpaste.

2. Set the rotary tool to a low setting and apply cerium oxide slurry to scrubber pad then work into stains using reasonable pressure and small circular motions (work only sections at a time). Use the spray bottle filled with water to keep the area wet at all times.This will prevent the glass from heating up and cracking also to prevent your work from completely drying out on glass.When you are satisfied with your progress rinse and wipe off section. Repeat procedure on new section of glass until entirely done.

3. Remember these important points……

When using a buffing tool use the lowest speed setting at first

Work only sections at a time

Avoid keeping the buffing pad in the same spot for too long

Do not apply excessive pressure on glass

Spray with water frequently to prevent cerium oxide slurry from drying on glass

When your desired results have been achieved for each section rinse, wipe off and move to next section of glass

Prevent new stains by regularly washing with a solution of vinegar and water