What’s the worst thing that can happen to your windows?
Forget breaking; what’s the point of having windows around if they’ve become an eyesore? And if you have hard water, chances are, your windows could use a good cleaning.
Hard water deposits, which appear as opaque splotches that obscure the transparency of your windows, are a common plague. Hard water deposits are caused by outside sprinklers or even your inside washing habits. “Hard” water is a term used for water with a high content of dissolved minerals. While you can’t see or taste these minerals, you can often feel a difference in hard and soft water on your skin, and will definitely notice the difference on your windows.
When hard water contact your windows, the actual water molecules evaporate off the surface of the pane, while the mineral deposits stay behind. Those deposits are the opaque blotches you sometimes get that seem nearly impossible to scrub off! Follow a few simple tips below and your hard-water plagued windows will be sparkling again in no time.
Six Steps to Removing Hard Water Stains
- Grab an empty spray bottle (if it previously contained a cleaner or chemical, make sure to give it a good rinse, or your cleaning efforts might just be sabotaged).
- Fill the bottle with one part water, one part vinegar (plain white works best). Shake it up!
- Generously spray down your affected window. We apologize in advance for the smell! (Clean windows are worth a few minutes of odor, right?)
- Let the solution sit for five minutes (make sure to wipe off any liquid that may be dripping from the window).
- Wipe the solution off with a soft cloth.
- Polish the window dry with another cloth.
Voila! Your windows should be sparkling clear again. One thing to note; hard water deposits usually are caused by water that has been allowed to evaporate. To help prevent this, be sure to dry your windows thoroughly each time you wash them.
Got any great hard water tips? Share them below!
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