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Not vinegar — I just discovered an unusual hack to get rid of hard water stains on glass, and I can’t wait to try it

AnyFans 2025-09-23

By Cynthia Lawrence

Not vinegar — I just discovered an unusual hack to get rid of hard water stains on glass, and I can't wait to try it

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I never have to deal with limescale in my shower, and it’s thanks to this one daily task that takes seconds

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Clean hard water stains with rice water

Draining rice water from a pot (Image credit: Shutterstock)
If you enjoy rice dishes, don’t throw out the water that you rinse it in. According to experts, you can repurpose your water to use a DIY cleaner for hard water stains on your glass shower door. Sounds strange? Well, this is because the slight acidity in rice water helps remove stubborn stains without the need for toxic or harmful cleaning chemicals.

All you need to do is soak a half cup of rice in roughly two cups of water in a pot. Stir the rice around and wait until the water turns a milky-white shade. Then, strain your rice, and add the milky water into a clean, spray bottle.
Next, spray the homemade cleaning solution onto your glass door, or any dirty glass surfaces, and gently scrub away with a microfiber cloth or a squeegee. After a few minutes, you’ll see the hard water stains start to lift away, leaving you with a streak-free shower door.
What’s more, since rice water has mild cleaning abilities, this can work well to clean countertops, sinks, and table surfaces.

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ALFLOD12-Inch All-Purpose Shower Squeegee: $7 at Amazon
This extra long shower squeegee measures 12-inchs long, 2-inches longer than standard squeegees, getting your shower doors and enclosures cleaner in less time. It will remove water droplets to prevent soap scum and hard water stains. It can also be used to clean indoor and outdoor windows for a streak-free shine. The electroplated handle resists humidity and scratches, making it ideal to store in a bathroom.

So, I’ll be sure to try this new DIY cleaning hack the next time I’ll be cooking rice — and you should too. For more tips, check out these 7 ways to prevent limescale in your shower.
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Cynthia Lawrence

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Content Editor, Homes

As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features.

Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.

With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!

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I never have to deal with limescale in my shower, and it’s thanks to this one daily task that takes seconds

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