How to remove hard water stains from windows.

Equipment needed.
1. #0000 steel wool. Anything rated as more abrasive will scratch your glass.
2. The works toilet bowl cleaner.
3. Applicator or sponge.
4. PPE
5. Old squeegee (it will get corroded)
6. Spray bottle with soap and water

[@KahunaWindowCleaningRamsey]

Please note: The steel wool is 0000#. Anything else will scratch your glass.

[@leonardbreau8928]

This article is now a year old, have you noticed any etching or deterioration of the glass over time by using such a strong acid as The Works?

[@D-blaze]

@@leonardbreau8928 just use 0000 steel or bronze wool. The toilet bowl cleaner is more risk than worth when it comes to paint and window sills

[@leonardbreau8928]

@@D-blaze Thanks for the feedback!

[@TheKraken2019]

What apart cheap apartment windows that are cheap tempered glass? We can’t use steel wool #0000 on them because they scratch immediately. What would you recommend for those types of windows?

[@Marioscorneraquatics]

Great idea. I went ahead and hosed down the window and seals after treatment then proceeded to do a normal window wash. It's time consuming but I didn't want the acid damaging the customers paint

[@lolabloo]

Thank you for this!!! I can't tell you how much it helped me. If I saw one more Google result for using vinegar and baking soda, I was going to give up forever on getting rid of these stains 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@mic76051]

@lolabloo i’m right there with you. I live in the Dallas, Texas area and my western facing windows gave me a little hope of ever being cleaned. I just don’t understand how people can suggest a solution of soapy water and vinegar, which can be useful in some instances, and tout it as the solution for all sun-baked water stains. It simply don’t work. But this video solved my problem. I’m so grateful. And it’s pretty easy.

[@mic76051]

And though I am from Texas, I don’t sound as much like a Texan as my message suggested. My brand new progressive lenses are keeping me from proofreading as effectively as I used to.

[@tilatsiddiqui3969]

Limescale remover spray viakal or flash will do the same thing you won’t need stupid wire wool

[@falsedragon33]

Vinegar would work, as it is an acid, although extremely weak compared to this Hydrochloric Acid solution. But its no longer an acid if you put sodium carbinate in it.

[@danielpaulson8838]

@@falsedragon33Childhood rocket fuel. 😅

[@littlehuey5679]

If you use Barkeepers friend or bon ami you get the cleaning of the chemical acid and the polishing /cleaning of the steel wool in one step in a safer manner ! That’s an old window and mirror makers trick !

[@myfurrykid]

Do you dilute the Bonami? Please

[@littlehuey5679]

@@myfurrykid no just don’t stay in one place to long and use the swirl patterns med speed

[@guyh.4553]

....and wash off the siding as well! Ha ha ha ha! Been struggling with this. Have YEARS of hard water buildup on windows from watering the lawn. I used Soft Scrub but I ended up using an electric Finishing Sander with a ScotchBrite scrub pad & it still didn't take it off. So I'm definitely going to try this! Thx!

[@theinspiredgardener6434]

Did it work?

[@cofffee_doodler5116]

Yo same and we can’t afford a new window. Did it work??!

[@jeffham222]

Skipped the toilet cleaner, used dish soap, water and them #0000 steel wool on a window that hasn't been cleaned in 10 years. The medium level of hard water deposit fogging came off after cleaning the surface 8-12 times. There are still some light deposits, but most are gone and the window looks dang near new. I've been waiting 20 years for this hack (I guess my Google skills are lacking... )! Now to tackle my shower door!

[@ooopticnerveee]

I’ve found that soapy water + the 0000 steel wool is perfectly fine for most applications. I have precisely one really bad window that the above formula isn’t strong enough to cut through, so I’m going to try the method in the video. Hope it works! 😂

[@falconwings]

Just wanted to say that I did it exactly like you and it works perfectly. I think the key is the steel wool, not the bowl cleaner. I tried another section with soapy water and steel wool and it worked just as good. Thanks!

[@jackson4861]

Triple zero steel wool ?

[@D-blaze]

@@jackson4861 0000

[@alexandrevelado3253]

​@@D-blaze the name of ur steel?

[@D-blaze]

@@alexandrevelado3253 any 0000 wool will work. I buy in bulk but I can't think of the name off hand. If you didn't know already... steel wool will scratch tint, window film, paint and will rust over time. When used properly, it's the best price point. (I have a construction cleaning company so we use it daily) Safer/more expensive alternatives to wool would be walnut pads, magic erasers, or even 0000 bronze wool.

[@violetflame23]

Thanks Falcon, I tried using a Brillo pad on my glass shower doors and it worked perfectly. Now I don't have to buy The Works and put all those toxins in my house.

[@america1403]

you need to use a garden hose to totally rinse off the window casing and the siding below the window where a lot of the strong cleaner ran to... Even tho you sprayed about a teaspoon of water to rinse it, that is not nearly enough to dilute the chemical... Over time, that window casing and siding will start breaking down.. The back of that bottle even tells you to RINSE WELL after use.

[@DeltaBravo-777]

Yeah, i noticed he is leaving it behind…not smart

[@gtalby]

Amazing! I've tried every tip to rid my shower doors of hard water stains to no avail. This worked great. Thank you so much!

[@danielpaulson8838]

You can do this at home with disposable everything. Even a cloth to wipe it on with. Squeegees and cleaner tools that need to be rinsed off in the yard or sink is a no go. Don’t even let it run down into the window casing. That chemical is bad for plastic as well as the ground below if rinsed out. It should not touch that many places. Cleaning the windows is not the only objective for the homeowner who cares for their property. Do it without hurting other things.

[@billsmith987]

AWESOME. Worked 100% on truck with water spotted windows built up over the years. Thanks for the Pro-tip👍

[@falsedragon33]

That stuff is just expensive HCl. 9.5% according to the MSDS. Just buy a gallon of muriatic acid from lowes and delude it to 9.5%, and you don't have to deal with the colorful impurities. Thats by mass, not volume. Also, keep a bucket of sodium carbinate solution (baking soda). You can then clean your tools in it, and neutralize the acid.

[@jesusdrummer21]

This is a great idea. I had some on my living room windows and used stovetop glass cleaner. Worked really well. But this is cheaper and just as effective.

[@tripjet999]

I used "0000" steel wool on one of the windows on our home. Yes, it DID scratch. There were fine scratches on the glass and I had made sure to use plenty of soap and water.

[@countchungalitus7604]

it's likely your windows are tinted. you can't use anything but a white abrasive pad on tinted windows.

[@ravengilliam2736]

The final squeegee on the little window was so satisfying.

[@xicanamom1]

Excellent job. I can't wait to get all the products. Question, why does the steel wool need to be thrown away? Can't it be reused?

[@jugsmcgee3751]

I believe it is because the pH of the solvent used in the cleaner. It can cause a chemical reaction with the steel wool, (steel is typically made from carbon and iron, and the wool is soaked in soaps), which may cause a corrosive reaction which is harmful to us

[@KahunaWindowCleaningRamsey]

Bingo! Thanks John!

[@sundown798]

Had some glass i had accidentally stained with oxalic acid (wood bleach). I tried this, and also, "one restore" and every glass cleaner. Nothing worked and almost had to replace a lot of windows. The savior was Meguires synthetic clay pad works amazing! Saved me big time, and the glass was crystal clear!

[@marcospaiva2015]

Thank you brother !! I did and it works !!

[@Valleygirl66]

You’d think that acid cleaner may wreck the siding and window panes🤔 If it drips onto it🤔 I’ve been a housekeeper for 38 years I’d be concerned it may damage the areas around the glass😳

[@charlesr.beasley6222]

Don't worry about rinsing the toilet bowl cleaner off of the siding of the house just your tools.

[@bayleighbabin7615]

I've been scouring for car detailing videos on how to remove water stains and I literally never thought to look up window cleaning videos for windows on buildings lol thank you so much for this.

[@KahunaWindowCleaningRamsey]

Glad I could help!

[@bonnielayfield1406]

You get this on the paint on your car and you will be sorry.

[@13christbane]

@@bonnielayfield1406 it does nothing to paint

[@MrAcook61798]

Many thanks Would this product work inside the shower screens ?

[@cherigillis518]

Thank you SO much for posting this!!! We have an irrigation system in our yard and add that with the wind that is often present, hard water stains have been a part of my window cleaning frustration for 10 years now. I've tried numerous things, all with LOTS of scrubbing, but none have ever removed all of the stains. This was SO easy!! I followed your directions and without much scrubbing all of the hard water stains are completely gone for the first time ever!! I can't thank you enough!!

[@ooopticnerveee]

Did you have any issues with the cleaner on your siding? I have one window with really bad water spots but I’m worried about the stucco around it getting ruined!

[@donwmitchell]

Same here, hard water stains on windows that were probably caused by overspray/wind drift from our irrigation system (extremely hard well water), This worked like magic! Our nearby Lowes didn't carry The Works but they had Zep Acidic Toilet Bowl Cleaner, which worked perfectly!

[@randomrazr]

what about the excess liquid on the siding below the window? shouldnt that be rinsed off ot prevent the solution discoloring hte hardieboard?

[@ericpeterson3614]

Ok? But no close up of the glass after you cleaned. It was clear in the beginning. There's not a similar shot like the before shot after cleaning.

[@mynamehaschanged]

I'e tried everything from vinegar to baking soda to polishing compund. I hope this works.

[@ridethepace6005]

I followed your method and the windows looked great. The customer is pleased. I never rinsed the siding ( not suggested in the video ), and now they want me to replace the courses of siding below the windows that were damaged by the toilet bowl cleaner.

[@dogrescuer1321]

Common sense, sorry.

[@ridethepace6005]

@@dogrescuer1321 when I went to replace the siding, the windows fell out. Now I'm sitting on the toilet thinking about all the money you cost me and guess what? The toilet is filthy but I can't clean it because I'm out of toilet bowl cleaner. The irony, am I right?

[@dogrescuer1321]

@@ridethepace6005 ok, " use common sense

[@ridethepace6005]

@@dogrescuer1321 No , I used Clorox brand toilet bowl cleaner. Never heard of that brand, Common Sense.

[@donnamcclelland3900]

He did say to rinse the siding because the cleaner is blue and will stain it. Oh, and take some effing personal responsibility instead of blaming other people!

[@renostubbs8504]

Do you think that that solution would work in a spray bottle with a little bit of water,scrub it ,then rise it off, before properly cleaning the windows???

[@AustinSanderson.]

Imagine doing this for a customer, I just use 6 inch razor and steel wool 0000 gets hard water off perfectly

[@KahunaWindowCleaningRamsey]

Razors work great for minor stains. We always try that first.

[@eanp.8901]

We were doing a major remodel and I decided I was finally going to tackle my hard water-stained windows. (It was really bad). Walmart was out of The Works, so I used Lysol Bowl cleaner instead. It works just as well! You can literally see the deposits sizzle while as it is dissolving. Thank you again!

[@acesaaa3148]

Thanks!! This is the best how to video on this category. Quick to the point

[@josephlamadrid1799]

Not a good video. He failed to show how good it worked. Makes you feel he’s hiding something.

[@tigard375]

Thanks for posting this! Can you use any brand of toilet bowl cleaner or does it have to be The Works?

[@kathrynimhoff344]

Smart home cleaners dump a bucket of water in the toilet to drop the water level completely before using and thus avoid diluting toilet bowl cleaners.

[@Ratatat_Nat]

Thank you for sharing this information! It's been a huge help!

[@tricia8727]

Will the cleaner damage wood windows? Even if you rinse thoroughly after?

[@KahunaWindowCleaningRamsey]

If you rinse thoroughly right after, it will not.

[@tricia8727]

@@KahunaWindowCleaningRamsey Thanks!

[@judymiller5154]

I did not realize the need for thorough rinsing of the wood trim and have a lot of yellow-orange streaks left!

[@segaeight18]

I’m really impressed by your tool belt honestly, especially you window cleaner holster. Where did you get that???

[@Jim26D]

Would this work for water etching that forms on the inside of double windows? Im not really into spending 300 dollars to replace the glass for some water stains

[@bobbievelasquez7566]

Wow! I can't believe how this works! A little elbow grease and voila! Much cheaper than replacing my windows! Thank you so much.

[@eclecticmusica]

My glass shower has hard water stains. Using all the safety precautions you suggest - can I do this for my shower window? Nothing else has worked.

[@yamlcase230]

Is there a muriatic acid dilution that would be the equivalent of the toilet bowl cleaner? I'm more concerned about the other chemicals that come with the cleaner. Also, a gallon of pool acid costs about the same as one bottle of works

[@andreaolson7329]

This worked absolutely PERFECT! Thank you so very much!

[@hp77]

Wow thank U SOOOOO MUCH. 😆 I was just trying to clean my windows N it just wouldn't come clean. So that's what's those spots R 😆

[@SPDRACER1231]

I think those "hard water stains " are mineral deposits. that product any many like it do nothing to hard water stains in the southwest part of the country. im curious what is your TDS where you live?

[@andrewmisiura8021]

We have locations in Minneapolis and Phoenix. This is 90% effective in both locations.

[@shalamarjoe3699]

Hope you leaned that off of the siding where it ran down from the corner of the window.

[@ReevansElectro]

How much damage is there to stucco when that toilet bowl cleaner gets on it? How about aluminum window frames?

[@KahunaWindowCleaningRamsey]

It's always a good idea to do a small test spot in an inconspicuous area. But in our experience, there is no damage to stucco. With aluminum, you'll want to be careful it doesn't sit on the sill for more than 5 minutes. As long as you rinse and reclean right after you'll be fine.

[@cyahnaa]

awesome! any ideas for windows with a gap in between the window panes?

[@brookesays5184]

This technique works beautifully!

[@dhimes3]

steel wool wont scratch the window?...and thanks!!

[@KahunaWindowCleaningRamsey]

Make sure it is 0000 steel wool. The finest you can buy. Thanks for watching!

[@Bort11]

Used the works and it instantly took off the hard water stains and the window looks brand new. Thanks!

[@KahunaWindowCleaningRamsey]

Nice work!

[@MP-yz6sb]

Great video/information. Thank you for sharing.

[@dariuswright6027]

What kind of soap water in spray bottle can use you use any kind?

[@mgkelly3389]

A few drops of a dish detergent, like Dawn or Joy, would work.

[@michelleauckram4020]

Is this plain toilet cleaner? Or a special type? I'm from Australia. May not have that particular brand.

[@catclark9488]

Me too and was going to ask the same question. It would have been handy to see what was listed on the container so we can compare the active ingredients to ours :)

[@michelleauckram4020]

I'd love to know if it's just plain toilet cleaner thanks

[@bigdfig6083]

Plain toilet cleaner good for removing scale. Active ingredient is HCl, but this product seems to no longer be made with it. Any bowl cleaner with Hydrogen chloride ~9% will suffice, that's if you can find any. Might need to investigate products intended for other uses such as clogged pipes, concrete etcher or pool acid.

[@catclark9488]

@@bigdfig6083 Thanks :)

[@michelleauckram4020]

@@bigdfig6083 thank you for the reply.

[@285ferrari]

Will other toilet bowl cleaners work? Hard to find the stuff your using

[@georgerodriguez3470]

I mean windows sorry watching your video stoned 😎

[@wendyhammett]

You also must wash down the siding and window sill or this stuff will cause damage

[@wh1tedevil]

Is there a way to remove rust stains from sprinklers off glass ?

[@lissam8988]

Thank you I'm going to try this on my shower glass. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[@mikeca98]

Well, we're still waiting...

[@calebkeller448]

I tried this and it didnt work at all on my windows.. any ideas as to why?

[@virginiamoss7045]

So what do all those chemicals do to the soil in the raised beds? In my experience the people I hire to do things to my house are only concerned about the house, never the plants or soil around the house. And if you ask them to protect them, they get annoyed. I cleaned my mineral build-up on my windows with smooth-top stove cleaner. It's much less toxic but requires a bit more elbow grease.

[@caseG80]

I didn’t see any thing hit the ground or plants. If you that concerned cover them and the mulch layer assuming mulch is used

[@DR-xt9ux]

That’s why fish have 3 heads

[@virginiamoss7045]

@@caseG80 I'm talking about the soil, not only the parts of the plant above the ground. Once in the soil you can't get it out and the chemicals may well kill the whole plant then as well as any other thing you plant there. If you cover the bushes, then the chemicals get washed into the soil next to the plants. Where do the chemicals go if they don't "hit the ground or plants"? They have to go somewhere. It's so easy to just think "elsewhere"; it's why we are now stuck in rapid global warming and the landfills are overflowing and toxic.

[@Eraz2409]

Thank you. I moved into a apartment with windows that look like that and have been wanting to get rid of it. I will try this out

[@EasyRhino]

Is this some extra concentrated version of this product? The one I bought at HD is normal toilet bowl cleaner (9.5% HCl). Same as the Lysol cleaner I use on my toilets. I tried this technique on my shower glass and it had no effect -- even with three attempts. Our municipal water has moderate levels of calcium and magnesium. I don't understand how so many people had success with this method.

[@mrizz1814]

This video is great. I tried everything when I moved into my new home. Probably 20 or more years since the windows were cleaned and were caked with pine sap as well. Now they glow!

[@Buttercup12345-c]

Really powerful "STUFF" probably not good on the environment. I'll try to find something more natural. Thanks though

[@pauld3327]

White votre vinegar seems to be a much simpler solution to me

[@ItzGav1n]

Bru I tried and it and it didn’t really work. Maybe cus the customers windows were old

[@josephlamadrid1799]

You didn’t show a close up of the first window you cleaned. If you’re going to take the time to make a video, show your results. Therefore I’m not convinced.

[@lawaincooley6788]

If you don't want to deal with harsh chemicals, try combining white vinegar and dawn, 1 to 1. Scrub that on with a brilo pad and let it sit, scrub it up again and then rinse off. Check for spots. Do it again u til the spots are gone.

[@winonakitto6151]

I came looking for a hard water stain remover for jalousie windows. Huge project. Maybe too big for this solution. The window stains are possibly as old as the windows.

[@TK-pt9xo]

Thanks, but concerned that you mentioned to wash the acid cleaner off the wipes and gloves. Would the wash damage the vinyl or wood window frame?

[@mark35mi]

Loved this. Trying it ! Curious what you use to make the soap water? Thanks for the share.

[@walterhartmann4830]

As a homeowner use a baking soda paste to safely scrub your windows. No toilet bowl cleaner on your trim or paint. Rinse with a hose to clean the trim/siding. Then do a final window clean.

[@daniels3318]

I’ve come across hard water stains that won’t come off if your tried to burn them off, but I’ll have to try this gives me hope. It’s just a disappointing when you try a new product you go and clean the window and the hard water spots are still there

[@maestrovso]

Thanks for sharing the techniques.

[@spoonman73]

Nice trick. Can you substitute muriatic pool acid?

[@vicsterhamster]

I found 00 steel wool at the paint area at lowes as well as the squeegee and the special applicator. The works toliet cleaner at dollar store. The 00 steel wool did great. Thank you so much. My windows look great. I would suggest soaking the stuff that needs to be washed...to soak in some baking soda water then the washing machine

[@Brandon-no3vc]

Couldnt you have just used half vinegar half water for that little but of hard watter stains hhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@cristieattaway6173]

This didn’t work on my windows and I spent $45 in supplies to try it. I should have paid a professional

[@MariaCosta-um8je]

thank you for the idea. i just wash my windows but the cleaner left stains on the windows that are hard to remove, unless I use a blade. Do you think a new application of teh product would help or hurt the situation?

[@ryansingh6152]

Can this method be used on car windows

[@leetojoyce3239]

What the name of that? Acid cleaner?

[@rfailing1]

thanks for the video. We have aluminum screens on our windows, and over the years oxidized aluminum has deposited on our glass exteriors. Any suggestions? Some comes off with normal glass cleaner but not all.

[@atgradio252]

I have storm door windows with hard water stains along the edges where the windowless the metal frame. Just painted them before realizing the stains. Will i have issues with using the works on this? Have to do 2. Also I need applicator suggestions. I don't have anything as nice as what you are using. Can i put on with heavy paper towels???

[@statelypenguin]

I missed the part where you rinsed off the siding so the works didn't discolor or compromise the strength of the paint

[@SICK47]

I have a neon green color stain on my window from some zombie decoration gelatin and it does not come off ima try this method

[@annettea-o819]

Grain of steel wool please! In this thread i saw 00 & 0000, which one is best?

[@0riginall337]

Straight vinegar wouldn’t take my water spots off so would this still work?

[@marcospadilla9819]

is there another brand we can also use?

[@katherinegalarza999]

Hi can you use this on shower doors? Also just found you

[@KahunaWindowCleaningRamsey]

Sure, can! Wear a mask and turn the bathroom fan on for better air circulation.

[@corychristenson3911]

Lime away is all you need . Believe me it’s the best option less acidic than the works

[@narjenny7025]

I have problem to get this brand in Asia. Anyone had idea where can place this from online platform ?

[@mimilove6117]

Where did u buy acid Work

[@MrCarguy427]

Can I use that acid cleaner plus a scotch brute pad? Ps, thanks for the video!

[@carloslorenzo3493]

any tricks for moisture trapped between two pieces of glass??

[@inderbirkaur4464]

Super! Thank you

[@eeduard86]

Ese pedo no sirve ya lo cale

[@CynthiaPulver]

Something in the way he moves led to thoughts about his technique, and I can't remember much after that.

[@kindredclarks1214]

Thanks for the video! I can't get this product by my home. The main ingredient is Hydrochloric Acid so I am going to try Sno Bowl which has similar ingredients.

[@mark35mi]

Appreciated this! Thank you!

[@shawnrobinson8428]

If you leave the works on painted or other surfaces without thoroughly rinsing it does it permanently discolor??

[@rickmcdowell9550]

Probably - rinse entire window and casing thoroughly. Then rinse again!

[@lilbtv]

Thanks for the information