That cloudy film on a shower door is usually minerals left behind by hard water. It builds up a little every shower, so it looks permanent long before it is. Here is what it is, how to get it off without damaging the glass, and how to keep it from coming back.
"They scrubbed the "permanent" hard water stains off my shower door until it was invisible" Adam B., Google review
What hard water leaves behind
Hard water is water with dissolved calcium and magnesium in it, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. When it dries on glass, the minerals stay. When it meets soap, it forms soap scum.
How to get it off
- Start with the gentlest thing that works. A soft cloth or non-scratch sponge, warm water and a little dish soap lifts fresh soap scum.
- For mineral film, use a cleaner made for hard water or soap scum on glass, and follow its label. Let it sit for the time the label says, so it does the work instead of your arm.
- Work top to bottom, then rinse well.
- Dry the glass completely. Water left to dry is how the film started.
How to keep it from coming back
- Squeegee or towel the door after each shower. Water left to dry on the glass is what leaves the minerals behind.
- Leave the door or curtain open so the shower dries out.
- Clean it on a schedule, before the film gets thick. On every regular visit our crews clean showers, tubs, sinks, mirrors and fixtures. On deep cleans they also disinfect the bathroom and clean the grout surface.
When to call a pro
If the film has built up for years, it takes time and the right products to remove without scratching. Our deep cleans give bathrooms that time, as Adam's review above shows. Book one, and point the crew to the shower when they arrive.
Common questions
What causes white film on a glass shower door?
Usually hard water. Minerals like calcium and magnesium stay behind when water dries on the glass, and they mix with soap to form soap scum.
How do I keep hard water stains off my shower door?
Squeegee or towel the glass after each shower, let the shower dry out, and clean it before the film gets thick.
Can you remove old hard water stains?
Old buildup takes time and the right products. Point it out to the crew on a deep clean.