Hard water stains are spots that form on window glass when hard water dries on the surface. Hard water is water, usually tap water, that contains calcium, magnesium and other minerals. Removing these stains is very difficult, but not impossible. In today’s post, local hinged French doors and replacement window contractor Renewal by Andersen® of Sacramento shares a quick guide on how to remove and prevent hard water stains on your windows.
Removing Water Spots
To remove existing water spots, prepare a mixture with equal parts clean water and white vinegar. If you’re doing this for all windows in your home, you may need at least one bucket of this mixture. Dip a clean towel into the water-vinegar mixture, then press it onto the spots for a minute or two, then rub the glass surface gently. You may need to repeat these steps until the stains are gone.
The ideal practice is to take the preventive route and make sure your windows and patio doors are completely dry after washing them. Squeeze excess water from the glass surface using new squeegee blades. As rubber ages, it tends to become stiff and may scratch the glass. Replacement squeegee blades can be easily purchased online and at most hardware stores. Rubber blades about 12 to 14 inches long strike a good balance between handling and efficiency. Wipe the glass dry with a microfiber cloth. Using old newspapers or old rags can leave stains or scratch the glass surface.
Titanium Dioxide Coatings
If you are planning on getting your windows replaced, choose window glass with coatings that help remove hard water stains. Our High-Performance™ Low-E4® glass, a standard component of our replacement windows, has titanium dioxide coatings on the outer surface. Exposure to UV radiation from sunlight triggers a photocatalytic action that loosens all particles on the surface, including up to 99% of the minerals that make up hard water stains, which can be easily washed off after.
Renewal by Andersen® of Sacramento is your leading provider of replacement windows and sliding French doors. Give us a call at (916) 779-5800. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Roseville, CA, and the surrounding communities.
