How to remove hard water stains from drinking glasses
How to remove hard water stains from drinking glasses. Hard water contains calcium and magnesium ions. Calcium and magnesium ions react with carbonate in soda-lime glass to form a layer of calcium carbonate on the surface, making it appear dull or cloudy.
This process is known as efflorescence. The result is a whitish chalky ring around the edge of the glass. It forms after only a few uses.
Cleaning hard water stains from a drinking glass may seem like a difficult task, but it’s very simple if you know how to remove hard water stains from drinking glasses.
How to remove hard water stains from drinking glasses
There are a few standard cleaning solutions that can help you remove hard water spots from glass surfaces.
An acid-based option is full-strength white vinegar, which acts as an agent to break apart mineral deposits when used in combination with soap and hot water.
Vinegar is a mild acid (acetic acid). Alternatively, you can use lemon or lime juice for a non-acidic solution instead.
1. Boil the Drinking Glasses
Boil the drinking glasses which have hard water stains on them in a pan of water for 15 minutes. Add one teaspoon of baking soda and lemon juice into the pan.
The bubbles let you know that your drink is boiling, this is not harmful as long as you use tempered glass.
After 15 minutes, take out the glasses and wash them with hot soapy water then rinse them thoroughly under running cool water then you can dry them up using soft cloths and a dryer if available (do not use paper towels).
2. Use Vinegar and Salt
Pour 1 cup of distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar into a large bowl and add in 1/4 or 1/2 cup of salt. You can also use Epsom salts if you have them available in your home.
Stir the solution a bit so that the salt is completely dissolved in vinegar and dip a clean paper towel in then wipe down your glasses with this mixture.
Remember when removing hard water stains from drinking glasses, vinegar is highly acidic.
So it must be diluted when used on pure glass surfaces such as flooring, windows, and other types of tableware because it will leave white cloudy marks behind once dried up.
3. Use Lemon to Remove Hard Water Stains from Drinking Glass
Cut a fresh lemon in half and rub these pieces onto your drinking glass until all the spots fade away. Some people recommend using half of the lemon dipped in salt which seems to work just as fine.
If you have trouble removing hard water stains from glass due to calcium build-up, then try using a kitchen sponge with some vinegar on it and use the same technique mentioned above.
4. Use Dishwasher Detergent
Use dishwasher detergent or any powdered soap that contains trisodium phosphate (TSP). Measure out 1 teaspoon for small glasses and 2 teaspoons for large glasses filled with water, put this powder into your hand first then add 5-6 tablespoons of warm water into your palm then stir it until mixed well into paste form.
Place these glasses inside a sink filled with hot water and pour the solution over them bit by bit while scrubbing each glass one by one.
You can also combine this technique with the one mentioned above which is using lemon juice and vinegar then rub your glasses for a few seconds with that mixture before washing them with water.
5. Use Toothpaste
Spread some toothpaste onto your drinking glass then let it sit for about 15 minutes before you wash it off with warm water and use soft cloths or paper towel to dry it up.
Remember not to forget the rim part of your glasses as well because this is where hard water stains often accumulate more than anywhere else! If any stubborn spots remain, try repeating the process again until all traces of stain are gone.
6. Denture Cleaning Tablets
Cleaning tablets that are used to clean dentures can be purchased from any drugstore and this is a very good solution to remove hard water stains from glass.
Just fill your glasses with warm water then add in 1-2 tablets and let it sit for about 20 minutes before rinsing the glasses off thoroughly under running cold tap water.
7. Use Borax
Borax powder is a common household remedy to clean up various types of surfaces including faucets, bathtubs, tile grout, brass, etc.
It acts as a natural abrasive that can remove hard water stains from drinking glasses safely without damaging or scratching glassware’s surface whatsoever.
In fact, there are many people who swear by using Borax Powder to make their drinking glasses sparkle like new! Combine equal amounts of Borax and baking soda.
Add in a little bit of salt to make a thick paste then apply this on the glass using a sponge or an old toothbrush. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes before you thoroughly scrub off with warm water and dry up immediately after.
You can find these 3 things in your house already – baking soda, salt, and vinegar!
8. Use Aluminum Foil
If you can’t afford to buy any dishwasher detergent at the moment, then do not worry because there is another way to make your drinking glasses sparkle like new.
All you need is some aluminum foil! Just take 1 strip of fresh aluminum foil, ball it up into a tightwad and rub it back and forth on the glass surface while applying a little bit of pressure until stains are removed totally.
Don’t forget to scrub along the rim part too before throwing that balled-up piece away. Wash your glasses under running tap water then rinse using another piece or two of fresh aluminum foil.
9. Use A Dryer Sheet
Dryer sheets are designed to soften fabrics and remove static cling but they can also be used as a cleaning aid to clean glass surfaces too!
Just put 1 or 2 dryer sheets into your drinking glasses then fill the glasses with hot water and let it sit for about 20 minutes.
The gritty particles on the surface would dissolve away thanks to the fabric softening properties of dryer sheets, thus eliminating those annoying hard water stains for good!
Rinse thoroughly under tap water and wipe up immediately with soft cloths. These clothes must be washed afterward too because they will become stained by now.
Conclusion
How to remove hard water stains from drinking glasses. If you have been trying to remove hard water stains from drinking glasses all this while, then no doubt you will absolutely love these simple and quick solutions.
These remedies are especially ideal for those who are on a tight budget because most of the ingredients are usually found in every home.
Besides, it is also worth mentioning that some kitchen sponges contain bleaching agents or abrasive materials that can potentially damage fine glassware’s surface if used too roughly.
Those were 9 ways to clean your drinking glasses and get rid of hard water stains completely!
Remember!
Don’t use chlorine bleach or ammonia as they can leave behind some soapy residue after drying up.
Thank you for reading. Have a nice day!
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