How to Remove Hard Water Stains and Soap Scum from Glass Shower Doors 

Cheating using a magic eraser as these have cleaning powers themselves, so we now have no idea how much cleaning was down to your mix and how much was the magic eraser.

Tip on using vinegar in spray bottles: If you do this, do not keep the vinegar in the spray bottle long term. The bottle itself will be fine but the spray nozzle with get slowly eaten away by the acid. You can buy spray bottles specifically designed to handle acids or just rinse the bottle and nozzle out after each use.

FYI for people wanting to keep shower doors clean…keep a squeegee in your shower, and always (ALWAYS) squeegee your glass at the end of your shower, and cleaning, when needed, will be minimal. This combo looks like a great way to clean between squeegeeing.

I used your formula on glass shower doors and the tile inside the shower and WOW, the results were amazing. I had been using a product specifically marketed for water mineral and soap scum build-up, but the vinegar/alcohol mixture was SO much more effective. (Confession: When you said to use IPA as an ingredient I nearly rushed off to the store to buy a beer...glad I listened more carefully! 😃)

Helping a friend preparing her home for sale i volunteered to clean glass shower doors with the pricey, purpose specific cleaner she brought. We both thought it would be easy... I was worn out and had to do it over a couple of days (was a double shower to boot). You, Sir have made a friend for life.

After spending years trying different cleaners, I went back to good old glass grade steel wool. Use it on any surfaces like glass, stainless steel, etc. for scratch-free clean surfaces with very little effort. Simply allow the surfaces to dry and then rub with the steel wool (glass grade 0000). Super easy and way more effective than cleaners. Will bring surfaces back to brand new.

For those in the West, I do 4 oz. of vinegar, 2 oz. rubbing alcohol to 14 oz. of water. And of course a bit of liquid dish soap.

I’ve made this solution as per your vid, holy hell, the result is amazing. Cleaning the cubicle weekly takes like 2 mins.

Holy sheet! I just tried this and it worked really well! I’ve tried so many different store bought but cleaners with virtually no results. And now I try this dirt cheap method and it blows them out of the water 😂 I wish I’d found this video sooner. Thanks so much for the advice!

I mixed it up and put it in a squirt bottle and it worked so perfectly and easily, I couldn’t believe it! No scrubbing at all. It easily wiped clean with a magic eraser sponge as in the video seconds after being sprayed on. I feel like I have a new shower! And didn’t use expensive, bad chemicals. Thank you for taking the time to share this. I will forever use it from now on! WooHoo! I love clean!

Haven't tried it yet, willing to give it a go . Not completely convinced because the glass always looks good when its wet , its after its dried that the limescale still dhows up.

This is amazing. Just came across your video while browsing. Went straight to kitchen. Made up the mixture and then cleaned my shower screen!!!!! (Same as yours ). What an amazing transformation. I’ve tried various cleaning materials in the past and none have shifted the soap scum. We don’t have a build up of limescale here. This is brilliant. I’m going to share it with family and friends. Thank you. (I had the rubbing alcohol for my crafts.)

Gonna try this. Thanks! Also, just wanted to add a small technical correction, as a chemist. A solvent can be basic or acidic as well as polar and nonpolar. To be charitable, I believe what was meant by solvent was an organic, nonpolar compound, like the soap added to solution or something like WD-40, which is mistakenly used to lubricate when it is too volatile to be a good lubricant and in fact removes protective oil coatings, so don’t use as a lubricant. There are 3 different definitions and ways of classifying acids and bases in chemistry. Not all acids are protic acids concerned with hydrogen protons, such as nonpolar organic acids/bases. In chemistry, like dissolves like, which refers to whether a solvent (anything that dissolves another compound into solution, e.g. water, the universal solvent) and the solvate (the substance being dissolved into the solution) are polar or nonpolar. This is why soaps made from hydrocarbons can dissolve oil and grease, both are nonpolar hydrocarbons and like polarity dissolves like. Sometimes, like in your recipe, you can create solvent mixtures that are more versatile or more effective as there can be both polar and nonpolar regions on molecules. The dish soap is great for dissolving the nonpolar compounds of the soap scum, the IPA is amphiprotic, meaning that it is a polar molecule that can act as both a weak acid or a weak base. This works well with the acetic acid in the vinegar to dissolve the polar mineral build up in soap scum from hard water, and possibly to help emulsify the solution (maybe, have to refresh on the emulsification part). Excited to try this recipe! Thanks again!

Thank you!!!! I've been trying to keep our shower doors clean using just vinegar. Never happy with results. I was so interested in your method that I IMMEDIATELY threw the ingredients into a small bucket, grabbed the scrubber sponge and went to it. Amazing results!!! It works people! I opted to try a scrub sponge first as our Kohler doors have a film that is supposed to minimize build up (mmmm...no...) and I didnt want to run the risk of possibly micro-scratching it with a white eraser pad. Will use the eraser and a bigger bucket to do the tile and the rest of the shower tomorrow.

Thank you! was very skeptical, have used several expensive products and none have worked as great as this cleaner. Cut through water stains and soap scum so easy. Thank you once again! AWESOME!!!

I would have liked to have seen the glass dry after. Once soap scum is removed most glass looks good when wet. Its usually those fine calcium spots that stick out when glass is dry. I will try your mixture for removing the soap scum though. Thanks

Works really well. Just used it and found it works great on chrome shower fittings and aluminium trim as well.

Thank you sir.. I have tried everything on the market and nothing worked. This worked amazing. So very happy I found your video.

Worked nicely, my bathroom is now limescale free, more or less!! I recommend using a spray bottle spray the shower guard and then leave for no longer than 10 minutes before scrubbing, it makes it easier to get those marks off. A bit confused by the 500ml of water comment, as surely it would depend on how much you're making, so I just worked out how much I was making, calculated 20% and 5% (vinegar/alcohol) of this total and then filled the rest up with water. I would also recommend looking at the full recipe, as it is definitely a good idea to use some scented essential oil, to take the edge off the vinegar. @Cleaninghowto mentions the cost benefits of this solution but there are also health benefits, as companies don't test all the ingredients in their products over long periods of time, so that could potentially lead to health issues after years of usage.

Bruh, I usually don't comment on videos but my god, this stuff works so well! I've been trying to get water stains out of my shower glass for so long, I've tried so many products and this removed it in seconds wtf, I'm still shocked!!!

This works absolutely brilliantly for the shower doors and the tiles!

Wow! This works better than any commercial product out there and it's cheap and environmentally friendly, thanks so much! 👏

So the pump spray bottle. Just purchased a 2L and tried this approach. I did not remember to get the Magic Eraser which I think would put it over the top with polish. I used a hand held scrub brush which was good too. The SOLO 418 2 Liter One-Hand Pressure Sprayer that I bought literally changed my life as far as spray bottles. That is the only way to go for all house hold sprays. I'm buying two more in different sizes. Thank for the post.

I leave a dedicated pouf for cleaning and a small bottle of Dawn and after each shower I quickly clean the glass and walls, spray down, squeegee and we are both clean and streak free 😊

Made it, used it. Bloody brilliant mate. Thank you. Sooooooo easy and works quick.

Worked for me! I usually have magic erasers but didn't for some reason. Originally I tried a wet rag and that did NOTHING. So instead, I used a dish scrubber and kept scrubbing in gentle circular motions while keeping the solution wet and constantly reapplying over the limescale. The solution needs time to dissolve the limescale and pairing it with a lightly abrasive scrub-down worked for me. Keep it wet while scrubbing and with enough patience, the limescale melts off. Thanks, nothing has ever worked for me before up until now.

I've just tried this solution and it works brilliantly on my shower cubicle. Thank you for sharing this.

Thanks so much for your mixture plus the magic eraser Omgosh I’ve been struggling with this shower for sometime. The amount of cleaning products I’ve used has been ridiculous and hazardous ☢️ I’m glad I found your channel 🙌

I can’t believe how well this worked, oh my goodness. Thank you so much!

You are my new best friend, never in my life has cleaning my shower door been so easy and comes out perfect 🥰

Your cleaning mixture has worked a treat! I did not know which components to use but after watching your video, mate you have made it so easy for us! I used a very fine steel wool lightly to clean first followed but wipe off with a paper towl.

OK just tried this one out. The combination of IPA + Vinegar + Magic Eraser is a very effective combo. I had a shower stall that I had been hitting with just vinegar with little effect. But this combo did a number on the scale. If you're in an enclosed environment you probably want to wear a respirator because the smell is really, really strong.

thank you! this worked like a charm. my buildup was dark stains that i couldn't get rid of with cleaners on their own. it did take a couple tries and leaveing it on for 10+ mins but buildup was removed with a stiff brush with your solution. I'm glad I cleaned up with household ingredients! edit: i reduced the water ratio and i think that helped with penetrating the tougher stains.

Well if you clean shower screens weekly they will be clean all the time all you need is automotive glass cleaner and paper towel, I have a shower screen that’s 12 years old and it looks as good as the day I installed it… Or you can apply edura shield on it and the water beeds right off Great video , my comment was based on the wingers and winers of this video

This worked best for me out of all the videos on RU-vid!

I made this to clean my bathroom and wooow my faucet looks soo shiny ✨

I completely agree. I myself mix washing powder, bleach, harpic x2, washing up liquid, etc. It cleans everything from carpet to smoke stained equipment. Yes, vinegar, ipa, lemon or lime juice, will also do. Thank you for the video.

That recipe worked perfectly. Thank you for a great and useful video!

Thank you!!!! Yes!! Throw out all the scam "cleaning" products. Just get these few things. I have hard water built up on my exterior windows. I'll try this!!!

The spray bottle you use in the video looks good quality. Are you able to provide a link to purchase please?

I have this stuff on my rear window of my pickup truck, nothing I tried has dealt with it. So I appreciate you info! Thanks Man!

Full recipe (plus a whole lot more!) on my new website: cleaninghow.to/how-to-make-an-eco-friendly-homemade-bathroom-cleaner/ This is also the cheapest cleaning vinegar I could find - amzn.to/44CenzW I couldnt find many options on amazon for rubbing alcohol but this should be perfect - amzn.to/3VFoTCL

Holy mackerel I've done this and it truly works, we've tried everything and this is the best

You had me cleaning science and environment friendly! Thank you! It works!

I was first introduced to vinegar as a cleaner back when cleaning glass in a kiosk. Just a bit of neat vinegar dropped on newspaper. The paper is mildly abrasive. No water used Ive used it to clean mould from the walls of my 150 yr old house walls as well. I use a water and vinegar spray to neutralise smells from my dogs on my concrete patio and ceramic tiles esp the grouting.

Hint: Buy a cheap squeegee. After you shower, before getting out, use the squeegee to remove the water on the glass. That will keep the glass cleaner longer. it takes less than 30 seconds even if (like me) you have 2 doors to do.

I just finished trying this and wow it worked great.

Genius!!!! Barely had to scrub! Thank You!

OMG this works, I have been using strong vinegar alone for years with limited results. The addition of the alcohol it the magic ingredient.

Love your down-to-earth approach! QUESTION: What % is the vinegar you are using? (Not how much, e.g. 20ml:100ml mixture but the % of the acid in the vinegar...) Unfortunately the glare prevents seeing it in the video and sadly, the link to "your" vinegar is no longer active. Your Website also fails to specify. Would appreciate it if you could clarify. Thanks!

This worked really well! all the grease and dirt comes right off

If you have heavy calcium buildup on glass doors you need something heavy duty with a high acid content. 3% vinegar will do nothing, even mixed with alcohol.

I tried it and it WORKS!!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!

Since you don't really mention it, what kind of concentrations of isopropanol and vinegar do you use? Vinegar usually comes in 3 to 20%, and isopropanol goes from at least 70 to 99.9%. Since we're mixing at specific ratios, it should matter. It's probably not crucial, but it would be good to know.

Good grief! It works! I used surgical spirit instead of isopropyl alcohol. Cannot believe how many years I've spent and then suddenly find something that works with no damage to my neck for which I'm truly grateful.

This was what I wanted! Thank you. Perfect video!

This 100% works... just tried it... Awesome... Thanks

I use lemon salt with dish soap it works well for cleaning shower doors as well flour stains

I’ve tried it all on my shower doors. This WORKS!! Some of what it melted off redistributed into a haze that was easily scoured off with Barkeepers Friend. But the point is, this melts it off!! I used two parts vinegar to one part alcohol with no water. I didn’t even use a magic eraser.

Top Tip for Shower Glass: Wear gloves, wipe on a toilet cleaner that gets rid of limescale and it is a simple wipe on, wait a min and rinse off - ALL GONE!! There is literally no scrubbing required and product of choice is Harpic Power Plus 👍🏻

Thank you, i had scum that would not come out. This works works works. Thank you so much my friend. ❤❤

We just moved into a new (to us) home and it appears the previous residents did not ever clean their shower glass. 🙄 We live in an area where the water is very hard and the shower enclosure is coated with limescale and soap scum. I'm excited to try this, so thanks so much for sharing! I am confused by the recipe, however. You say in the video that you use 50 ml of IPA and refer to that as 5% of the total amount which is 500 ml. If you're making a total of 500 ml, 5% would only be 25 ml. Since I'm doubling the recipe, I'm wondering if I should stick with only 50ml of alcohol or double it to 100ml...? Sorry to cause confusion if I've got something wrong here, (which is very possible.) Please help! THANKS again!

Used a razor scraper when I couldn’t get it all off! Worked like a charm! Thanks, Lord!

Hi. May I know what % is the isopropanol you are using. 70% or 90%? Thanks in advance. Great video

My experience. After buying far too many products for this outcome, NONE of them worked, to my Satisfaction. This method worked. It works. Just going to say it one more time ... this works! And to take to the next level, treat the inside shower glass with Automotive Rain-X after. Thanks for posting. Great video! ❤

Sir….. I’m in awe!!! I’ve tried for years to clean my glass shower doors, and nothing worked! You have changed my cleaning world for life! 😊

Very nice. The water in East Anglia, UK, is very hard. I bought a water softener and hardly have to deal with lime scale anymore. But this idea will work well in the kitchen for sure. 👍🏻👌🏻

If you're in America and using Dawn dish soap, don't use essential oils, it breaks up and makes it funky, coz Dawn cuts grease and oil.

This worked miraculously and perfectly. Thank you!

Cascade dishwasher detergent diluted or denture tablets work well too!

Greetings from Tucson, Arizona USofA. Just discovered your channel and subscribed. When I remodeled my house I had the back wall of the shower removed and installed a 3'x5' window. I've not found ANYthing that would clean off the scale without damaging the marble and I'm gonna mix up your solution today.

I love using citric acid, water, and a little dish soap, works on hard water spots.

I tried it today!! And wow! It worked exactly how the video shows! I left it for about 5 mins and then just scrubbed it away with the Mr. Clean bathroom magic eraser. I then sprayed Rain-X and dried it completely. Magic. Looks like we have no doors lol thank you!! ❤

Thank you very much. This is such important information, especially during this Recession. Best wishes mate.

I noticed you didn't show the door once dried. Thats because it didn't work as well as you claim and looks great when wet with the vin/ipa/soap solution. It would have only needed another 20 seconds of drying time to demonstrate the finished results. Cant help but feel like you cut it short and with no true after photo because it looks better wet and unfinished.

I clean with vinegar and alcohol all the time. It works.

Worked like a charm!! Thanks man!!

Remenber: DO NOT mix cleaning agents without knowing what you are doing. A lot of people have gotten seriously hurt or even killed.

It was unbelievable wizardry until I just did it myself- game changer!

Nope. Doesn’t work . I’ve tried all this crap and it doesn’t work where you have super hard water. Maybe if you do it from the beginning with your glass, but it definitely won’t remove hard water stains that have accumulated from previous owners. No more effective than spitting on it.

My house suffers with a bit of condensation so I use a Karcher vac to dry my walk in shower; screen, wall and tray. Takes less than 5 mins. Reduces a lot of condensation and shower stays nice and sparkly.

Mixed according to your directions. I got it to work but maybe my proportions requires a second application. Definitely improved though😊

Tried this on our shower screen now which has had 20 years of soap/calcium accumulation thanks to the previous owners. I can see some improvement but still has quite a coat of soap/calcium marking. I might need to give it another go and try using with fine steel wool instead of the magic eraser.

It's incredible how adding alcohol up the game so much. I have always used vinegar + dish liquid to clean shower glass but there's only so much it can do. I tried using your mixture today and the result was mind blowing. I wouldn't say it removed 100% of the stains I had, but it removed 90% of the water and grease stains I had, with minimal effort. I tried the mixture on my glossy shower tiles but it didn't work. Do you have a magical mixture to remove water and grease stain from shower tiles?

I bought two 5lt bottles of white vinegar from amazon dirt cheap. I use it for everything. On the shower screen, I filled an old daily shower screen bottle to spray it, use vinegar to fill the kettle and descale it AND put the vinegar back in the bottle so there's no wastage. When the house is empty I remove the water from the toilet with a sponge then fill the bowl with vinegar and leave it as long as possible. Result is a shiny limescale free bog! The shower head goes into a bowl of vinegar for an hour and comes out sparkling and with the jets running straight. The vinegar then goes back into the bottle for reuse. I use it to clean and descale the iron too. I did wonder if the house would smell like a chip shop but no it doesn't. It's far better than chemical cleaners and much cheaper.

great video, I tried it out on my shower screens and had about 50% success, my shower screens have 10 years of build up. How long has your shower screen had the build up? What would you recommend doing either increasing the dosage percentage or applying/working on it multiple times?

I want that sprayer

I'm going to try this tomorrow I been trying and buying everything natural and store-brought. Wish me luck!

Removed the scum but left the hard water spots. Shower door is a lot cleaner, but I can still see the water spots.

Most products 4:42 look like they work while the doors are still wet. It’s once they’re dry that you need to look at. Our shower doors almost appear as they’re etched. But, I definitely will try your suggestion!

Love that bottle!

This really works.

Wow this works wonderfully. I didn't have any rubbing alcohol, so I used hand sanistiser. Thank you

I've been searching and experimenting for years to get hard water stains off of every surface in my house that comes into contact with water. Some work pretty well indeed (like oven cleaner) but that's expensive over time and has a lot of chemicals. The best I've found is Apple Cider Vinegar. Seems to work better on lime and calcium than anything else. So, I'm going to try this to see if it takes off the last bits I've had to spend hours scrubbing. No easy way to let a glass shower door sit with vinegar of any kind on it without having to pay more money to cover it in cling film. So much waste. I never thought to add alcohol, though chemically, it makes total sense. I've pre-emptively subscribed because I understand the chemistry. If this works as you demonstrated, I'm only listening to you from now on. There's someone I follow that advertises themselves as being the best cleaner in the world. Yes, she has great techniques, but some products she uses aren't available to me locally. Also, she uses some expensive chemicals like oven cleaner. Yes, it works, but costs almost $5 US for a can of oven cleaner and all of our wet surfaces have to be cleaned of scale. That gets expensive when our shower doors take an entire can in one go, not to mention feet of cling wrap to keep it in place on a vertical surface.

i substitute the vinegar with citric acid as it breaks up the limescale and doesn`t have that stong smell to it like vinegar has. i like the idea of combining it with isopropanol, thanks

awesome. 100 mls vinegar 50 mls Isopropyl alcohol 350 mls water few drops dish soap

This works great! Now do you have an inexpensive water repellent (like Rain-X) we can make, for treating the glass after its squeaky clean?

Clean my space channel already made all these products. I use vinegar, hand sanitiser, dish soap and thin the mix with water. Spray, leave on for 30mins and wipe away

What % concentration is the vinegar you are using? I am finding a range from 5% to 20%.

good video with very good advice. thank you.