The Simple Trick That Makes Cleaning Soap Scum Off Glass Shower Doors A Breeze

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Your shiny, clean glass shower door is suddenly haunted by ghostly white hard water stains. Where do they come from? Are they apparitions from the nether world? No, there is a simple scientific explanation for them: As water evaporates on your shower door, it leaves behind the minerals, and those were dissolved in the water. It can even clog PVC pipes. That residue, known as hard water stains, soap scum, or lime scale, can be difficult to remove once established. These mineral deposits are mostly calcium and magnesium mixed with soap residue and stick to the glass like glue, they are notoriously difficult to remove. But thankfully, science is here to help you get rid of them with a minimum of muss and fuss with a remedy that is sitting right in your pantry: baking soda.

Before we get to explaining this home cleaning hack, there is no shame in using commercially produced products to remove the soap and mineral deposits. One inexpensive and effective product is CLR Calcium, Lime and Rust remover — it's under $6 at Amazon. Mix it half and half with water and scrub away with a microfiber cloth. These watermarks should be dealt with sooner rather than later. If allowed to linger, it becomes ever more difficult to clean your shower doors. Plus, the chemicals in the product might be too harsh and a cause for concern. Which is why the baking soda trick is so very handy. 

According to a report from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), soap scum or hard water primarily consists of dissolved calcium and magnesium, giving it a higher pH level than other types of water. Baking soda, however, is considered a base due to its low pH levels. It is simply that baking soda negates the higher alkaline level found in hard water, thus dissolving the deposits found on the inside of your shower door. Let's get down to how to use this natural, easy, and affordable cleaning hack to get the shine back in your shower doors.

First, grab the following materials: baking soda, some water (note: you might want to think about using water that is purer than what comes from your tap), a soft sponge, and a microfiber cloth. Then, whip together a baking soda paste, consisting of ¾ cup of baking soda and ¼ cup of water. Next, grab a soft sponge and apply the mixture to your shower doors. Go grab a snack and settle in for about ten minutes or so, while the baking soda works its dissolving magic. After the short time away from the shower doors, return armed with your microfiber cloth. Then go on the attack with your microfiber cloth and warm to hot water to wipe down the surface. Like magic, your hard water stain nightmares should be over. If you still have the faint specter of hard water stains, repeat the process again. 

And there you have it! An easy and harsh chemical-free way to get rid of those nasty hard water stains that taunt you from your shower doors each day. Plus, you won't break the bank using it since baking soda is a cheap and common home pantry staple.