Limescale is caused by minerals in the water, such as lime and magnesium. When a surface gets wet, the water evaporates and the minerals are left behind. Garden sprinklers, car washes and showers can all create limescale on glass. Chemically, these limescale residues are alkaline, so you should be able to remove them with an acid. With a few household remedies you can remove and prevent limescale.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: With a vinegar solution
Step 1. Fill a plant sprayer with half water and half vinegar
It is best to use white vinegar, which is cheap and effective. A higher concentration of vinegar is even more effective, so adjust the water to vinegar ratio based on how bad the limescale is.
Step 2. Spray the vinegar solution on the glass
Spray the solution on the glass and make sure that all stubborn stains and places where there is a lot of limescale are well covered. Let the vinegar soak in and apply a few more coats on very dirty stains.
Step 3. Soak a cloth in the vinegar solution
Soak a rough cloth in the water and vinegar solution and rub it over the stains you've already sprayed. You can hold the cloth still on the stains so that it can soak in even longer.
Step 4. Scrub the glass lightly with the cloth
Use the rough, vinegar-soaked cloth to scrub the glass. You don't have to scrub too hard. The small bumps on the cloth should allow you to sand the stains away, and the vinegar will soak further into the limescale.
Step 5. Let the vinegar mixture soak in for a while
If the stains are stubborn, let the vinegar soak in a little longer. Add a little more vinegar if it seems to be drying.
Step 6. Wipe off the vinegar solution with a dry cloth or a window squeegee
You may need to spray another layer of vinegar solution or plain water over it, then wipe it off with a clean, dry cloth (or paper towel), or with a window squeegee. Make sure you don't let the vinegar mixture or water dry on the glass, or you'll get new stains.
Method 2 of 5: Using other natural products
Step 1. Use lemon juice instead of vinegar
Lemon juice is as acidic as vinegar, and can be just as effective. Fresh lemon juice usually works better than bottled lemon juice.
- Roll a lemon over a firm surface and apply a little pressure before slicing it open. This will make it easier to squeeze the lemon.
- Squeeze the lemon and put the juice in a plant sprayer with water, or pour it onto a cloth to apply to the glass.
- You can also apply the lemon juice directly from half a lemon to the window. Simply cut the lemon in half and rub the pulp over the glass while pressing.
- Let the lemon juice soak in, then remove it from the glass with water or a regular glass cleaner.
Step 2. Try lemon or orange essential oil
Essential oil is growing in popularity for its purported health benefits and for its good cleanability. Citrus essential oils such as lemon and orange can be used to remove limescale. This has an additional advantage: the oil lays a layer on the glass, so that you can prevent limescale in the future.
- Put a few drops of oil in water and apply it to the glass with a cloth or sponge.
- Let it soak in for a while, then lightly scrub the stains with the cloth or sponge.
- Remove it from the glass with water or a regular glass cleaner.
Step 3. Apply white toothpaste to the stains
As crazy as it sounds, toothpaste is made to remove stains, so it works well for limescale too.
- Dilute the toothpaste with some water to make it easier to spread and avoid using too much toothpaste.
- Apply the toothpaste to the glass and let it soak in.
- Scrub lightly with a brush, cloth or sponge.
- Rinse the toothpaste from the glass with water.
- Clean the glass with water or normal glass cleaner, but make sure you dry it well afterwards, so that no stains can form again.
Step 4. Make a paste of vinegar and baking soda
The paste will foam as soon as you put the two ingredients together. You can wait for the bubbling to stop, or you can apply the bubbling paste to the glass right away. Never mix vinegar and baking soda in a sealed container, as the lid could fly off.
- Apply the paste to the glass and let it soak in.
- Scrub lightly with a brush, cloth or sponge.
- Rinse the paste off the glass with water.
- Clean the glass with water or normal glass cleaner, but make sure you dry it well afterwards, so that no stains can form again.
Method 3 of 5: Using abrasives
Step 1. Buy a powdered abrasive
An example of this is Vim, or common baking soda. You can sprinkle these powders on a surface.
Step 2. Wet the glass
It is easiest to wet the glass first, then sprinkle powder on it. Then the powder will stick to the glass. The water and the abrasive then form a kind of cleaning paste.
Step 3. Apply the powder to the glass
The abrasive package has small holes in the top so you can sprinkle the powder out. If you're using baking soda, you can put it in a small strainer and sprinkle it on the glass that way.
Step 4. Use a lot of force
The biggest advantage of abrasives lies in the small grains that have an abrasive effect. In order for these granules to do their job, you have to scrub a lot. Think of it as an extra advantage: cleaning and exercising at the same time!
Step 5. Rinse the abrasive with water
While some cleaners can be left on glass, abrasive cleaners usually leave a film because they are not designed to be used as a glass cleaner. Rinse it well with clean water, and then clean it with a glass cleaner, then you can be sure that nothing is left behind on the glass.
Step 6. Dry the glass
After you have rinsed and cleaned the glass with a glass cleaner, you must dry it well or else you will build up limescale again.
Step 7. Use a scouring pad
An alternative to abrasives is a scouring pad. The scouring sponge works like a kind of fine sandpaper, with which you can scrub stains and dirt from the glass. You can also use steel wool or a "magic eraser", which is a very fine sponge (available at Blokker).
Method 4 of 5: Using detergent
Step 1. Find a product designed to remove limescale
There are special products to remove limescale from glass and other surfaces. You may want to try other cleaning products first, because having to buy a separate product for each job can be quite pricey. Here are some specific products that can help against limescale:
- cillit bang
- antikal
- HG Lime Road
- W5 Limescale Cleaner from Lidl
Step 2. Apply the product as directed on the package
Most products need to be sprayed onto the glass or applied with a sponge. Usually it has to absorb into the spots first.
- Some products require wiping, but should not be scrubbed as this can lead to unwanted splashes.
- It is always better to try a small piece first to make sure that the product does not damage the surface.
- Make sure you only apply the product to the glass you want to clean: the product may damage walls, tiles, frames or paint.
Step 3. Wear protective clothing if necessary
Many cleaning products contain corrosive substances and can be harmful to people and animals. Make sure to wear gloves and goggles if needed.
- Wash your hands immediately after getting the product on your skin, and do not touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
- Many products tell you to use it in a well-ventilated area so you don't inhale the toxic fumes.
- Carefully read all warnings on the packaging.
Step 4. Clean the surface with water and vinegar
After you have used the cleaning product, you can clean the glass again with water and vinegar, so that all residues of the product are gone. Then dry the glass well.
Step 5. Keep all products in a safe place
Cleaning products should always be kept out of the reach of children and pets, with the cap on properly. Also make sure that there are no residues of the product on the outside of the packaging. On a high shelf behind a locked door with child lock is the best place.
Method 5 of 5: Preventing limescale
Step 1. Treat limescale as soon as possible
If you tackle limescale as soon as it forms, it will be less stubborn and come off more easily. Spray a vinegar solution on the stains every week, that may be enough.
Step 2. Do not allow water to dry on the glass
Prevention is best when it comes to limescale. If you don't let water dry up, you can prevent limescale from depositing on the surface.
- Dry the glass with a cloth if you see water on it.
- Dry the glass with a window squeegee. This ensures that your glass remains clean and clear.
Step 3. Keep your windows dry
The easiest way to prevent limescale build-up is to make sure your glass doesn't get wet at all. If you often have limescale on your car windows, put your car in a covered place, such as in the garage. And a shower curtain can help prevent the water in the bathroom from spilling over onto all kinds of surfaces.
Step 4. Treat the glass with a water repellent
A product that repels water, such as an oil-based cleaner, can prevent the build-up of limescale. Do not use this type of product on your car windows unless it is specially made for it, otherwise it can obstruct the view.
Tips
- The method you can use depends on how severe the limescale is. A more aggressive approach may be necessary if the deposit has been on the surface for a long time.
- You can tackle limescale in a coffee machine in the same way. Pour a mixture of 25% vinegar and 75% water into the water tank and turn on the appliance. Repeat if not all limescale has been removed.
- The longer you leave the limescale, the harder it is to remove.
- You can substitute vinegar for lemon juice, if you happen to have one on hand. Lemon juice is just as acidic and it can dissolve alkali compounds.
- Gas-on-glass cooktop cleaners also work very well and help prevent future stains.