The Effect of Hard Water on Your Windows: Avoiding Unnecessary Damage by Scheduling Professional Cleanings
Beautiful, sparkling windows are a great way to improve the curb appeal of your home, but getting them to that sparkling state can be difficult. From the wind blowing grime onto the freshly cleaned glass to children and pets pressing sticky fingers and wet noses against the panes, it can be difficult to keep them clean. One additional problem that affects a major portion of the United States is hard water. Hard water on your windows can leave them looking spotty, filmy, and dull. But hard water may be doing even more damage to your windows than you realize.
At Vue Window Cleaning, we understand how hard it is to achieve perfectly clean windows, especially when dealing with hard water. If you want to learn more about how hard water can lead to window damage and what we recommend to avoid this damage, keep reading.
What is Hard Water?
Water hardness is determined by the amount of minerals dissolved in the water. It is measured on a scale between 0 to 250 milligrams per liter. In locations like Parker, Colorado, the hard water rating is 170 milligrams per liter. You should be able to determine if you have hard water in your home by looking at glass dishware as it comes out of the dishwasher. When you pull out your freshly washed dishware, you might notice a film or spots on the glass.
This film or spotty appearance on your glass is an indication that you have hard water in your home. While this spotty film may be unsightly on your dishes, it isn’t dangerous. However, there are several ways to treat this hard water, including whole-home filtration systems that can filter out these minerals, though they can be costly to install. While this may not be harmful to consume, hard water can have a negative effect on your home.
The Effect of Hard Water on Your Windows
If you choose to use hard water on your windows, there are a few ways that it can cause damage to the glass. Because glass is an especially porous material, hard water can be absorbed into your windows. If you use hard water on your windows while performing regular cleanings, you may begin to notice spots forming, even after they’ve been thoroughly cleaned.
As you allow these spots to sit untreated, they may begin to do even more harm to the windows. The spots may begin to turn a pasty white color which makes it harder to see through your windows. These white spots can be incredibly difficult to clean without using more abrasive materials on your window. However, using these abrasive materials can lead to additional damage to the glass, including scratches.
Can You Treat Hard Water on Your Windows on Your Own?
When you use hard water on your windows, you might want to consider treating them on your own. While there are a variety of DIY solutions to help you remove hard water from your windows, these solutions may be more harmful. Some of the most commonly mentioned ways to treat hard water on your windows is by applying a baking soda solution or vinegar solution to the glass.
While these solutions may be able to treat low-grade damage caused by hard water on your windows, they cannot address more severe damage. In situations where the hard water has turned white, it is in your best interest to reach out to a professional window cleaning service. They will have the tools and cleaning solutions to cut through this hard water and keep it away for good.
The Importance of Professional Window Cleaning
Whether you are dealing with hard water on your windows or you’re simply trying to keep up with cleaning, professional window cleaning is important for ensuring your home looks its very best. Maintaining regular window cleanings can help you ensure your windows open, close, and seal properly for the full length of their lifespan.
Additionally, regular window cleanings ensure your living space remains light and bright, even throughout the darkest parts of the year. This bright light can help boost your mood when you’re spending time in your home. Finally, professional window cleanings help you ensure your home’s energy efficiency.
As grime builds up on your windows, their home heating efficiency drops. If you want your home to remain warm during the chilliest winter months, you should consider scheduling professional window cleanings. The professionals will ensure there is no grime or cleaning residue left on your windows, keeping them sparkling all year long.
Avoid Hard Water Stains on Your Windows with Vue Window Cleaning
If you use hard water on your windows and you’re beginning to notice signs of damage, it is essential that you reach out to a professional window cleaning service, like Vue Window Cleaning, to prevent more damage. At Vue Window Cleaning, our team has years of experience treating windows that have been exposed to Colorado’s hard water, and we’re confident that we can do the same for your windows. If you use hard water on your windows and you notice damage, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team today. Contact our team to schedule window cleanings and return your windows to their sparkling condition.