One of the nicest features of frameless shower doors is that they don’t require a lot of effort to keep them looking great. In most cases, all it takes is a little bit of attention with a squeegee and you’re in business. But one concern that many home owners considering frameless shower enclosures have is, what about hard water deposits? What happens when calcium and other minerals start to build up on your glass? Thankfully, managing these inconveniences isn’t nearly as much of a hassle as you may think.
What Causes Hard Water Deposits?
The first important component of keeping hard water deposits from hindering your frameless glass is to understand exactly what’s causing those deposits in the first place. The problem is, hard water contains a higher concentration of certain naturally occurring minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. As rain falls, it travels along the ground picking up these minerals as it makes its way to rivers and lakes.
Despite the fact that the water is then pushed through the water treatment process, some of these minerals may still remain and then flow through your showerhead onto your tile and glass enclosure. As the water evaporates, mineral deposits can get left behind, making the glass appear cloudy or dirty. If you’ve noticed a buildup that you haven’t been able to get rid of it with the squeegee, chances are you’ve got mineral deposits.
Treating Existing Mineral Deposits
One trip to the store and you’re sure to find countless cleaning products on the shelves offering to take care of the hard water deposits on your frameless glass enclosure. If you’re not into using harsh chemicals in your home, however, there are a few natural solutions you might prefer, as follows:
- Vinegar – The natural acids contained in vinegar can be highly effective in dissolving mineral deposits. Simply add some to a spray bottle and mist the surface you’re trying to clean. Let the vinegar sit for approximately 20 minutes to enable it to break down the scale, and then rinse it off using hot water.
- Lemon Juice – For those who don’t like the strong smell of vinegar, lemon juice can have the same effect on mineral deposits. Use it the same way as instructed for the vinegar.
If you’ve tried one of these solutions and are still noticing buildup on your glass, you may need to upgrade to a commercial product. Be sure to do your homework to select one that is specifically formulated to treat hard water deposits. If you do use a product that contains chemicals, be sure to properly ventilate your bathroom to avoid breathing in fumes and wear gloves to prevent contact with your skin.
Preventing Future Water Deposits
The best way to manage hard water deposits is to prevent them from building up in the first place. There are a number of proactive measures you can take to accomplish this. For instance, you could install a water softener, which treats the water as it comes into your home and removes some of the remaining minerals before the water reaches your showerhead.
You can also take action to create a barrier on your frameless shower doors that will prevent mineral deposits from attaching to the glass. For instance, once your shower enclosure is clean and dry, spray the inside of the doors with furniture polish that contains lemon oil and then rub them down with a dry towel. The invisible film left behind by the polish will guard against future buildup.
Overall, keeping your frameless shower doors beautiful isn’t nearly as much work as it may seem, and the value they add to your bathroom should make the small effort well worth it. If you’re interested in learning more about frameless shower enclosures or would like to receive a free quote, contact us today.