Over time, shower doors accumulate hard calcium deposits and limescale that can make them look less than immaculate. Keep your shower glass bright and sparkling with natural cleaning agents straight from your kitchen. Break down this unsightly limescale or calcium buildup in your shower and restore it’s natural shine with our step-by-step instructions.
What Is Limescale?
Limescale, also known as calcium carbonate, is a hard white or green deposit that typically forms on glass, tile, showerheads and other fixtures that regularly come into contact with hard water. Hard water is high in calcium and magnesium — minerals that tend to compound over time, forming the harsh and chalky sediment known as limescale.
Cleaning Supplies Needed
Though limescale appears to be rough and abrasive, it’s relatively easy to break down using typical household products. Here are some cleaning supplies you need to prepare before removing limescale from your showers:
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Paper towels
- A bowl or spray bottle
- Rubber gloves
- A sponge or damp cloth
- Distilled water
How to Remove Limescale From Shower Glass
To learn how to remove limescale from glass, follow these simple steps:
- Boil a cup of white vinegar and transfer it to a bowl or spray bottle.
- Wear rubber gloves before applying the vinegar solution to the shower.
- Dip some paper towels into the hot vinegar and apply them to the glass door.
- Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour to break down the limescale and loosen deposits.
- Apply the vinegar solution to the surface periodically to keep the glass saturated.
- Add baking soda to a damp cloth and gently wipe off the vinegar treatment from the glass.
- Rinse the shower glass with distilled water.
- Dry the glass with a cloth.
How to Prevent Limescale Buildup?
While the steps for removing calcium carbonate are easy, prevention is better than frequent limescale cleaning. Once your shower door looks shiny and clean again, you can take some preventive measures to slow future limescale or calcium buildup. Here are some steps to reduce the spread of limescale:
Install a Water Softener
Reduce the mineral content in your hard water by treating it with a water softener. This appliance removes minerals that lead to limescale, significantly slowing sediment buildup. Skip the time-consuming removal of mineral deposits off the showers with a hard water treatment.
Try a Water Filter
Inline filters purify the water by trapping calcium carbonate and other minerals. Apart from preventing limescale buildup, a water filter helps prolong the life of your home’s pipes and showers.
Use Vinegar and Baking Soda Spray as a Homemade Limescale Cleaner
Minimize calcium deposits by filling a spray bottle with vinegar and a dash of baking soda. Spray the vinegar and baking soda solution on your door after each use. Be sure to dry the glass using a towel, cloth or squeegee after spraying the surface.
Clean Your Plumbing System
Significant limescale accumulation makes your shower door harder to clean. Clean all elements of your shower system, including the plumbing, where water with minerals passes through the pipes regularly. Maintaining the cleanliness of the pipes, faucets and taps is another way to reduce calcium carbonate buildup.
Customize Your Shower Door at Garrety Glass
If you want to transform your framed or frameless shower door, Garrety Glass can help. We have the highest quality products and services at the most affordable prices so you can find the value you’re looking for. Whether you decide to replace your residential glass or install a custom shower door, our skilled team is ready to serve you.
For more information about our glass products and installation services, contact us today. You can also sign up for the latest updates and deals from Garrety Glass.