Mineral deposits on glass won’t come off
Q: I have a problem that I cannot solve: calcium and lime deposits on the glass shower door and the aluminum frame. Because of the hard water in my area, these deposits build up quite rapidly. I tried commercial cleaning solutions, but only a little of the deposits came off. I even tried the cleaners three or four times, over four days, using the cleaners both diluted and undiluted.
At one point I soaked the glass in undiluted cleaner for three hours to try and remove the deposits, without much result. Additionally, the deposits and small white/grayish spots on the frame will not come off at all. Any suggestions or solutions for cleaning the glass and frames would be greatly appreciated. — Nam C., via e-mail
A: Wow, you’ve really gone to town on those doors! I’m surprised that full-strength cleaners, designed to break up lime and calcium deposits, did not have much effect. The deposits may have been building up for quite a while to be so attached to the glass.
Homeowners have dozens of methods for cleaning this buildup from their shower doors, but the verdict is universal: No matter the method, it’s a tough job that often requires many repeat cleanings. Lime and calcium deposits are best dissolved using acidic ingredients: white vinegar, lemon juice or the stronger commercial stuff.
Because you’ve tried the strongest cleaners available, the next step is probably the use of abrasives. This is not recommended for regular cleaning, and household abrasives (like scrubbing pads or powders) should be avoided. Very-fine-grained cleaners, specifically designed for glass, are available. One such product is a cleaner for glass stovetops, which scrubs away stuck-on spills without destroying the ceramic top. It will take a lot of scrubbing, and you should test the product on a small area of the glass doors first, but this may work.
The aluminum frames are another matter. Acid-based cleaners can make the door frames look worse, even changing the metal’s color. Rinse the frames completely and apply some lemon oil or all-purpose oil (WD-40 for example) and leave them for a day. Another method is to use a metal polish — auto parts stores sell a polish formulated for aluminum, and home-improvement stores may carry something similar. Remember, always test in an inconspicuous area first.
HOME TIP: While acidic cleaners can soften and help remove calcium and lime deposits from glass, don’t apply them to metal frames without testing an area first. Acids can discolor the metal.