The Forum Site - Join the conversation
Forums:
Homes & Real Estate

Handyman Advice: Hard Water Stains on Shower Door

Reply to Topic
AuthorMessage
Leon On December 21, 2023




San Diego, California
#1New Post! Jun 05, 2019 @ 03:47:36
Okay, maybe there is a handyman among you or an expert in cleaning, or you know someone who is. Heck, I’m lost here, as I’ve tried everything, and nothing seems to work.

I tried all the all purpose, bathroom, kitchen, window cleaners you can buy.

I tried homemade cleaners, vinegar, and baking soda.

I tried specialty cleaners meant for this. I tried Barkeepers Friend, and other 5 star cleaners.

I tried them all hot, I tried them all cold.

I tried letting them sit for an hour.

I tried them using generous amounts of elbow grease, scouring pads, even light steel wool.

Nothing. Still looks the same.

Here is a picture:



Any ideas?
mrmhead On March 27, 2024




NE, Ohio
#2New Post! Jun 05, 2019 @ 11:45:43
Wow! Even steel wool! I've used that myself in times of desperation.

- I love Barkeepers Friend!!


Have you tried paint yet?
Leon On December 21, 2023




San Diego, California
#3New Post! Jun 05, 2019 @ 13:07:34
@mrmhead Said

Wow! Even steel wool! I've used that myself in times of desperation.

- I love Barkeepers Friend!!


Have you tried paint yet?


You mean paint and then use thinner? Hmmm
Darkman666 On March 27, 2024




Saint Louis, Missouri
#4New Post! Jun 05, 2019 @ 14:03:46
my advice:

put the shower door in the dishwasher or washing machine.
chaski On about 15 hours ago
Stalker





Tree at Floydgirrl's Window,
#5New Post! Jun 05, 2019 @ 16:27:40
My go to solutions are:

!. I see that you tried vinegar and baking soda, but did you try the vinegar with the baking soda? I have the same problem and use a solution of hot water, vinegar and baking soda... and a fairly hard bristle cleaning brush (not metal bristles). Some people say that vinegar and baking soda is "ineffective" but I have had very good success with it, including cleaning massively dirty pots & pans.

2. Borax



In the past I've used Scrubbing Bubbles (some success, but I hate the fumes); KaBOOM! (some success, but I hate the fumes); CLR® Calcium, Lime, & Rust Remover.

Side note, which you probably know: There is a lot of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate in California water. Even if you are using filtered water, if you pour a glass of water with ice, especially if you also have alcohol (gin, tequila, etc) you will probably notice some white cloudy flaky stuff in your drink.

That is the stuff that ends up on your shower door.

The only real "solution" is to stay ahead of it from the beginning... which means wiping off the doors after every shower and cleaning the doors frequently... even once or twice a week... or more... before the build up starts. It is a true pain in the ass.

2nd Side note: Be careful about mixing chemical cleaners as that will sometimes result in poisonous fumes.

Ammonia + Bleach
Rubbing Alcohol + Bleach
Bleach + Vinegar
newmexicodan On September 15, 2023




roswell,
#6New Post! Jun 05, 2019 @ 17:01:48
Cream of Tartar combined with Hydrogen Peroxide. Make it into a paste and put it on the spots in question. Let it dry and then remove it.
Leon On December 21, 2023




San Diego, California
#7New Post! Jun 05, 2019 @ 17:17:59
@chaski Said

My go to solutions are:

!. I see that you tried vinegar and baking soda, but did you try the vinegar with the baking soda? I have the same problem and use a solution of hot water, vinegar and baking soda... and a fairly hard bristle cleaning brush (not metal bristles). Some people say that vinegar and baking soda is "ineffective" but I have had very good success with it, including cleaning massively dirty pots & pans.

2. Borax



In the past I've used Scrubbing Bubbles (some success, but I hate the fumes); KaBOOM! (some success, but I hate the fumes); CLR® Calcium, Lime, & Rust Remover.

Side note, which you probably know: There is a lot of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate in California water. Even if you are using filtered water, if you pour a glass of water with ice, especially if you also have alcohol (gin, tequila, etc) you will probably notice some white cloudy flaky stuff in your drink.

That is the stuff that ends up on your shower door.

The only real "solution" is to stay ahead of it from the beginning... which means wiping off the doors after every shower and cleaning the doors frequently... even once or twice a week... or more... before the build up starts. It is a true pain in the ass.

2nd Side note: Be careful about mixing chemical cleaners as that will sometimes result in poisonous fumes.

Ammonia + Bleach
Rubbing Alcohol + Bleach
Bleach + Vinegar


Thanks for the information on calcium carbonate. I looked it up online and the pictures seem to mirror my problem, so perhaps that is indeed the culprit. The solution I’m reading is to use a highly acidic cleaner. Most cleaners are alkaline/base (such as products with ammonia and/or bleach), so perhaps that is the problem. Although I have tried vinegar, an acid, but that isn’t as strong.

And, yes, you’ll have an explosion of you combine opposite ends of the pH like that. Vinegar and baking soda actually is such a combination, but they are not as strong on each end, but they do tend to cancel each other out a bit, so this is why it doesn’t work on certain things. I did try it on the shower door.

Haven’t tried CLR, and that’s highly acidic, so maybe I’ll start with that. I’m also reading that toilet bowl cleaner is highly acidic. Maybe I’ll try that as well!

As far as staying ahead, indeed, I have been cleaning all doors regularly on both sides every week. Unfortunately the staining is from the previous owner, who was quite negligent on cleaning a lot in the home. I’ve managed to remedy most of it, but not this.
Leon On December 21, 2023




San Diego, California
#8New Post! Jun 05, 2019 @ 17:18:51
@newmexicodan Said

Cream of Tartar combined with Hydrogen Peroxide. Make it into a paste and put it on the spots in question. Let it dry and then remove it.


Thanks! Two acidic products to make a paste. I like it, and will try it!
Leon On December 21, 2023




San Diego, California
#9New Post! Jun 05, 2019 @ 17:22:03
chaski On about 15 hours ago
Stalker





Tree at Floydgirrl's Window,
#10New Post! Jun 05, 2019 @ 17:31:12
@Leon Said


As far as staying ahead, indeed, I have been cleaning all doors regularly on both sides every week. Unfortunately the staining is from the previous owner, who was quite negligent on cleaning a lot in the home.


It is much like the oxidizing of the paint on cars. It isn't so much a problem these days, but years ago (especially with red paint... ) there used to be oxidizing issues.

Once the paint started oxidizing it became a huge (IMO) headache... the best "solution" was that you had to stay ahead of it... etc... etc...

Well, enough of that or this topic will be highjacked.
mrmhead On March 27, 2024




NE, Ohio
#11New Post! Jun 05, 2019 @ 19:33:45
You could try that stuff the guy used in your "Grilling" gif!
Darkman666 On March 27, 2024




Saint Louis, Missouri
#12New Post! Jun 05, 2019 @ 21:51:55
I try chicken soup cures everything!
bobbimay On February 11, 2024




Tucson, Arizona
#13New Post! Jun 06, 2019 @ 11:50:52
@Leon Said

Okay, maybe there is a handyman among you or an expert in cleaning, or you know someone who is. Heck, I’m lost here, as I’ve tried everything, and nothing seems to work.

I tried all the all purpose, bathroom, kitchen, window cleaners you can buy.

I tried homemade cleaners, vinegar, and baking soda.

I tried specialty cleaners meant for this. I tried Barkeepers Friend, and other 5 star cleaners.

I tried them all hot, I tried them all cold.

I tried letting them sit for an hour.

I tried them using generous amounts of elbow grease, scouring pads, even light steel wool.

Nothing. Still looks the same.

Here is a picture:



Any ideas?



you might try something as simple as cut a lemon in half dip it in salt and rub on the stain...that is how a lot of bars and such get rid of water stains in coffee pots
Leon On December 21, 2023




San Diego, California
#14New Post! Jun 08, 2019 @ 02:14:10
@newmexicodan Said

Cream of Tartar combined with Hydrogen Peroxide. Make it into a paste and put it on the spots in question. Let it dry and then remove it.

Didn’t work.

@bobbimay Said

you might try something as simple as cut a lemon in half dip it in salt and rub on the stain...that is how a lot of bars and such get rid of water stains in coffee pots

Didn’t work.

chaski On about 15 hours ago
Stalker





Tree at Floydgirrl's Window,
#15New Post! Jun 08, 2019 @ 02:38:47
I am reminded of a scene from the movie "Thoroughly Modern Millie"... Julie Andrews.

Spoof spy/organized crime comedy.

A woman... bad guy... is going to use chloroform on someone to kidnap them... Millie (the heroine) walks in on the "crime"...

What up!?

The woman... bad guy says something like oh this is soy sauce... it is the best stain remover...

Later in the movie someone spills something on their clothes (a rich woman I think... red wine on her white dress.. or something like that)

Milly... Julie Andrews... grabs a bottle of soy sauce and pours it all over the woman's dress while proclaiming its ability to remove stains....

Things didn't end well...

... at least in that portion of the movie...

Reply to Topic<< Previous Topic | Next Topic >>

1 browsing (0 members - 1 guest)

Quick Reply
Be Respectful of Others

      
Subscribe to topic prefs

Similar Topics
    Forum Topic Last Post Replies Views
New posts   Random
Tue Oct 12, 2010 @ 13:21
35 1365
New posts   Random
Thu Jul 30, 2009 @ 23:43
23 896
New posts   Software
Sun Sep 14, 2008 @ 21:32
48 3151
New posts   Homes & Real Estate
Thu May 15, 2008 @ 14:23
21 2244
New posts   Technology & Internet
Thu Sep 01, 2005 @ 19:52
10 608