Suzanne, a more expensive solution is to install something to soften the hard water for the entire home. Otherwise, I just googled your question exactly "how to remove hard water stains from chrome and glass" and got many helpful links --

Vinegar is a great solution...totally agree.

Thank you to all who responded to my question about hard water stains. I am in the Caribbean and the water is very hard here. I have tried all the usual remedies like vinegar, CLR, hot water etc.

If CLR didn't take it off, I honestly don't know what will. CLR sells gallons of the stuff in Alberta because our water is so darned hard. I used to have to chip the scale off my taps on a regular basis. The water softener I installed in this house was the best purchase I ever made.

I read that lemon can help... cut one in half and use it on the affected item. I don't know if it works or not.

Good luck...

So, none of those items worked for you? We have a well on our irrigation system and the water is hard. The water periodically will get on the glazing and it so hard to get off but I have had luck with CLR and vinegar. I am curious to hear other ideas.

GMX Magnetic treatment physically changes the properties of water. It is amazing! www.gmxinternational.com

Every week, I swim in an indoor 25,000 gallon pool that uses this technology. I live in a part of the USA that has extremely hard water. When the house and pool were purchased, the pool was in terrible shape. All kinds of chemicals were used to remove the hard water deposits from the tile edging, along with hammers and chisels. The chemicals did not seem to have any effect. The hard water deposits were so hard, that the hammer and chisel started damaging the tile.

Usually, one GMX magnet is enough to treat the water for an entire house. A separate GMX magnet was attached to the incoming water line of the pool, because it had such a large quantity of water. Within days, the hard water deposits started flaking off the tile, until the tile was like new. A pool vacuum was used in the early stages, because there were so many hard water "crunchies" that sank to the floor of the pool. Now, the pool is always sparkling clean and there is no chemical odor. No extra maintenance is required except for cleaning the pool filter of hair, maybe a leaf, or one of the children's hair scrunchies. To communicate with the owner of this pool, contact www.lexnewmex@comcast.net

(I am not related to the owners of this pool. I do not sell GMX Magnets. I just swim in the pool.)

eztia - I tried looking up the website but it seems to be dead?

Oops. Correct website address is www.gmxinternational.com

If CLR and vinegar aren't working, are you sure that the problem is actually hard water stains?

The account about the GMX magnet sounds promising I shall look into it. Thank you.

I hope you have spectacular success with it!

Corrections and Amplifications to my previous post:
GMX Magnetic treatment physically changes the properties of water. www.gmxinternational.com

Every week, I swim in an indoor 25,000 gallon/94.63529 liter pool that uses this technology. I live in a region of the USA that has extremely hard water. When the house and pool were purchased, the pool was in terrible shape. All kinds of chemicals were used to remove the hard water deposits from the tile edging. The chemicals did not seem to have any effect. (Chisels and hammers were not used, as I thought they had been.)

A treatment system for the water was created by installing a number of GMX Magnetic units to achieve the desired effect. In this case, there were four magnets on the water pipe of the pool. (I thought only one magnet was used.) Within days, the hard water deposits started flaking off the tile, until the tile was like new. A pool vacuum was used in the early stages, because there were so many hard water "crunchies" that sank to the floor of the pool. Now, the water is always sparkling clean and there is no chemical odor. No extra maintenance is required except for cleaning the pool filter of hair, maybe a leaf, or one of the children's hair scrunchies. The GMX Magnetic treatment system has been working with no problems for over ten years. To communicate with the owner of this pool, go to lexnewmex@comcast.net.

(I am not related to the owners of this pool. I do not sell GMX Magnets. I just swim in the pool.)

Skip the off-the-shelf stuff and go straight to a 4-1 solution of water and muriatic acid. Wear a respirator and open the windows, eye and skin protection and heavy rubber gloves. Use a big sponge to apply and a plastic bristle brush to scrub. Rinse and repeat.

I have had great success using vinegar with a magic eraser

And if you're still breathing after the muriatic acid (I used the stuff in Mexico .. works great but killer to use !) invest in a whole house water purifier and softener, so that you avoid a repeat of the problem.

The GMX Magnet treatment for water acts as a purifier and softener.