A beautiful and clear window in your office or living room can really take your home to the next level. Whether you simply enjoy a nice view of the world outside or the natural light, we can all relate! We have all experienced the irritation – the one that follows when you pull up your blinds to reveal glass that is stained with hard water spots. If you are tired of being let down by these pesky stains, continue to follow along with our blog to learn more!

What is a Hard Water Stain?

At some point in our lives, we will all get the chance to see just how annoying hard water stains are. Once you’ve seen them, you may be left wondering what exactly they are and why they aren’t easily washed away. Essentially, hard water stains can accumulate on any glass surface; this means your business windows, home windows, car windows, and shower glass doors are all at risk. When water that is full of excess minerals is left to dry on a shiny surface, a stain will remain. Sprinklers are one of the biggest culprits, seeing as our cars and windows are near the lawn. However, even if you don’t run your sprinklers, stormy weather can also be a cause.

Why Does Hard Water Stain?

Hard water has an excess of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. While it may not be visible to the naked eye, these compounds can easily stick to the surface of the glass. The true texture of glass isn’t as smooth as many believe. Under a microscope, it is easy to see the true surface of glass is an intricate mix of valleys, hills, and creases. When minerals in water come into contact with glass, the pockets and crevices will trap the minerals. The stain you see from hard water is simply extra mineral deposits that have gotten stuck in the rivets of the glass.

Preventative Measures

After a professional window cleaning, it is imperative that you consider making changes around your home in order to prevent hard water stains from returning. If the stains frequently accumulate on your car, try moving your car to a different spot when you know the sprinklers will be coming on. However, if your home windows fall victim to hard water, you may want to consider moving the position of your sprinklers. You can also consider a different time to run your sprinklers so you can dry the surfaces once the sprinklers have turned off. Another common way that hard water stains accumulate on windows is simply from the lack of knowledge. Many people will wash their window or screens with the hose and then allow it to air dry. If you are someone who washes your own windows, make sure you bring a towel with you to wipe everything down afterward. Also, if your only concern is that your screens are clean, remove the screen and wash elsewhere then place back on the window; this is a great way to avoid hard water from ever touching your windows in the first place.

Conclusion

Considering all the different ways in which hard water stains can occur, there is no doubt that we will all come across these pesky stains in our life. With that being said, it can be a great idea to have a professional window cleaning service you can rely on. Check out Ernest Window’s website to check out all the different ways we can help you!