Does hard water mean hard shower cleaning?
The installation of a new shower is like a breath of fresh air. Diamond clean, gleaming glass with the perfect shine - it’s almost too good to use. But the real joy comes from exactly that - indulging in a gloriously hot shower. Unfortunately, if you live in a hard water area, you may find it harder to keep your shower screen looking its best.
What is hard water?
The technical explanation for hard water is that it has a high mineral content but it is often described as “chalky” when it dries on glass surfaces. This occurs on surfaces such as shower enclosures and happens when water evaporates and leaves behind mineral deposits. These deposits often appear as chalky and unsightly streaks. Over time, this can also cause limescale build-up in your shower head or create a soap scum on glass that includes calcium stearate or calcium palmitate - both of which are oily substances. The residue is notoriously difficult to clean and, if left unattended, can accelerate the discolouration of glass. But, hard water doesn’t need to mar your bathroom aesthetic.
How should I clean a hard water shower?
The good news is that there are plenty of cleaning products available that will help you to retain that crystal clean glass finish and allow you to keep the power in your shower. Regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure the longevity and integrity of your shower. Good Housekeeping offers many tips for great bathroom cleaning and many products promise the perfect finish for your glass shower enclosure. But, if you’re looking for something more organic, a simple cleaning mixture of equal parts white vinegar to water cleaned with a sponge or cloth gives an excellent clean for all hard water showers. You may also want to consider investing in a squeegee. These low-cost devices remove water from the surface of your glass, minimising the length of time these mineral deposits are left to cause their damage. There is something immensely satisfying about swiping away those chalky deposits and achieving a streak-free finish.
Easy cleaning options for hard water shower enclosures
If you live in a hard water area and find the cleaning particularly laborious, you might benefit from choosing a shower enclosure that has a protective coating, such as our Easy Clean finish. This finish is an invisible non-stick polymer coating that provides a barrier against limescale. It repels water and creates an impenetrable seal against chalky deposits and water-related build-up. Available on all of our frameless shower enclosures, like those in our View Collection, this coating pairs with our 10mm toughened safety glass to improve the durability of your shower and minimises cleaning maintenance. So, you can enjoy that crystal clean, new shower feeling each and every time you step inside.