How to get hard water deposits off of windows

last month

Ugh the sprinkler hit the windows and now I have mineral deposits on the windows. My usual window-washing squeegee routine won't get all of them off. Is there something I can add to the wash water to dissolve them?

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PRO

Windows on Washington Ltd

last month

Best video I have seen that breaks it down.

https://youtu.be/hqDAE-YhsSA?si=GFy5vIYG8D5PMb_x

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Comments (11)

carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
last month
Lime Away works well with a scrubby sponge...

Citric acid crystals in a strong solution works too. I find that in the bulk section at local natural foods stores - and it's likely at hardware stores too.
porkchop_z5b_MI thanked carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
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chloebud
last month
W on W…good info…thanks!
porkchop_z5b_MI thanked chloebud
Elmer J Fudd
last month
If the sprinkler is hitting the windows, it's hitting the walls and foundation too. Not a good thing to soak the outside walls.

If these are in-ground sprinklers, best to redirect the spray patterns.
porkchop_z5b_MI thanked Elmer J Fudd
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last month
Vinegar, any kind. It's good for cleaning windows even without lime scale.
porkchop_z5b_MI thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
oberon476
last month
Best stuff I have ever used for removing hardwater stains

https://www.amazon.com/1-Hardwater-Stain-Remover-Pint/dp/B077Y1WD9M
porkchop_z5b_MI thanked oberon476
Elmer J Fudd
last month
A lot of "hard water deposits" can be called "limescale" and among other things are composed of calcium compounds. And are alkaline. As floral mentioned, vinegar (a mild acid) can dissolve the buildup on contact. It can take patience to wait 10 minutes or so before rinsing it off. The advantage of using vinegar is that it's easily available, safe, and cheap.

For those in hard water areas, don't forget to run vinegar through your coffee makers and tea kettles.
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carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
last month
last modified: last month
IMPE, the good thing about the foaming Lime Away is that it works better on vertical surfaces than a liquid. We have very hard water here and I use it on our shower doors.
porkchop_z5b_MI thanked carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
Elmer J Fudd
last month
last modified: last month
That could be useful. An alternative with using vinegar is to spray a paper towel to the point of being damp with vinegar, it will then cling to a vertical surface.

Even better is to avoid the problem altogether. We have light plastic squeegees and clean dish towels hanging over the glass in our showers. A quick squeegee then a wipe with the towel to get the few lingering water spots leaves the glass dry and free of water deposits. It takes just a minute or two. We've never had to clean them and all are clear glass.
porkchop_z5b_MI thanked Elmer J Fudd
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
last month
I use Lysol.
porkchop_z5b_MI thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
lisa_fla
last month
I added cleaning vinegar (higher acidity) diluted with warm water and used a string mop. Didn't even need a ladder! After letting it sit for a few minutes I then used Outdoor Windex attached to the hose because they needed a good cleaning anyway.
porkchop_z5b_MI thanked lisa_fla