It’s a concern for anyone who has a glass shower door — watermarks. To keep a sleek and modern feel to your bathroom, finding ways to get rid of water spots is important for the aesthetics of your home.
The good news is that this is a routine type of care that can be effective through more than one method. Here’s a look at what you can do to clean up watermarks.
The causes of watermarks
It may seem like common sense, but there’s a very specific cause of watermarks that goes beyond just the regular use of a shower.
According to the glass.com website, water spots and marks are caused by minerals in the water you use, including calcium and magnesium. As you use your shower, they can build up over time and make it potentially difficult to clean as time goes by.
Certainly using standard glass cleaning methods can be effective, but sometimes not to the level that you want. Streaks can still occur with these remedies as well.
Expert tips
Among the everyday items you can use to clean a glass shower door is vinegar. Simply fill up an empty spray bottle that includes half water and half white distilled vinegar. Don’t use malt vinegar: it works okay, but the smell is something you’ll also have to combat.
Once you have that water/vinegar mix, shake well and then spray on the shower door from top to bottom. There will still be an odor at first, so make sure you leave the door open or crack a window as needed to let the smell dissipate.
Use a microfiber, dampened cloth to wipe away the vinegar-and-water solution quickly after applying it. You can also let it sit for a few minutes if you have particularly tough stains. A non-scratch sponge can also be used for tougher stains. Be sure to also rinse, dry and buff with a clean microfiber cloth right as the final step.
Another technique is to use baking soda. This is something where you can simply use your cloth instead of a spray bottle.
Go ahead and dampen the cloth and just put the baking soda on it, using a circular motion to scrub away the watermarks. Then, wipe it away with a clean cloth and rinse. This is another technique where a non-scratch damp sponge can be used for tougher stains.
Using a bit of elbow grease — with the right tools
The website Oh So Spotless also recommends one specific type of home remedy for watermarks: Bar Keeper’s Friend. This one, in particular, is adept at mineral deposits, soap scum or other elements that might cause concerns with your glass shower door.
With Bar Keeper’s Friend, simply shake the container, place some on a damp sponge and then clean the door from top to bottom. After a minute, rinse and then wipe with a clean microfiber cloth.
The site also points out that Magic Erasers can work well, although it may take a bit more work or multiple erasers to get the cleaning you need. All you need to do is dampen the eraser, squeeze, clean with some extra application to problem areas and rinse well.
Another technique they recommend seems quite unusual at first, but it seems to work well for some shower doors. Use a dryer sheet you normally use to fight static in the laundry.
You don’t need to moisten it at all — simply wipe it on the shower door and do some scrubbing as needed. It’s important to use a glass cleaner of some sort afterward, though.
Prevention as well as a cure
Of course, it’s always a good idea to make changes to your routine to avoid watermarks in the first place. Among the things to consider are the following techniques:
Towel cleaning after every shower
Use a towel to wipe away any excess water on your door right after a shower.
Use a squeegee
This is another tool you can use, although it’s best to make sure you wipe away from top to bottom to ensure the water doesn’t collect.
Ventilation
If your bathroom has a window, leave it open directly after the shower to dry out the humidity. It’s also a great solution for mold and mildew if you see that buildup in your bathroom.
Use the towel rack
We know that it might be convenient to put your towels on the glass door to dry, but it’s a good idea to avoid this. It traps the moisture and makes watermarks more prominent over time, so get into the routine of using the towel rack at all times.
Glass shower doors bring a distinctive look to your home
Making easy work of cleaning is just one of the elements that makes a glass shower door a great addition to your home. As Utah’s most trusted customer glass shower door and specialty glass experts, we can transform this aspect of your life from the ordinary to something extraordinary.
For 20 years, we’ve been bringing together excellent craftsmanship, design skills and attention to detail to bring sliding glass, semi-frameless or European frameless doors to showers across the state. We are also conscientious about your budgetary needs and in making sure work is completed on time.
To find out more about the shower doors we offer our customers in Salt Lake City, go to our website.
