If you have hard water stains on your windows, you don't have to replace the window or call a cleaning service. Hard water stains form after the water evaporates, which leave mineral deposits, such as calcium and limescale. 

Mineral deposits appear as a thick, white, glaze. The stains get harder to remove the longer they sit, but it isn't impossible to clean them. Here are tips to clean hard water stains from windows:

Make a Light Cleaner

For this project, you need:

• rubber gloves
• safety goggles
• soft sponge
• soft scrub brush
• small squeegee or soft cloth
• white vinegar
• baking soda
• table salt
• fresh lemon
• ammonia
• white toothpaste (optional) 
• bucket
• spray bottle

If the stains are fresh, a light acidic cleaner should do the trick. Baking soda, lemon, ammonia, salt, and vinegar are natural products, but they can still cause skin and eye irritation, so wear protective equipment, Avoid abrasive cleaning tools that may scratch glass.

Mix a third cup of water with two-thirds cup of white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle. Add some fresh lemon juice to improve cleaning power. Soften a fresh lemon by rolling it on a hard surface. Cut it in half, and squeeze it in the solution.  

Vinegar and lemon juice are both effective for dissolving minerals.  Mist the area generously with the cleaner, and let it stand fifteen minutes. You may also use the lemon juice by itself in the spray bottle, or rub raw lemon on the glass.

Use a soft brush to apply the solution. Remove the cleaner using a damp sponge, then dry the area with a squeegee or cloth as quickly as possible to avoid more spots. Repeat the procedure, if needed.

Use an Abrasive Cleaner

To clean tougher stains, dampen the area with vinegar, and let it stand for half an hour. Mix baking soda and salt in equal ratios in a bowl, and add water until a paste forms.

Dab a sponge in the mixture, and clean the area until the stain has been removed. Moisten a sponge with clean water and rinse the solution.

For a more abrasive cleaner, mix a half cup of white vinegar, a cup of ammonia, and a gallon of warm water in a bucket. Soak a scrub brush in the solution, and scrub the stain. Dampen a sponge with clean water, and rinse. Dry the area with a cloth or squeegee. 

Apply Toothpaste

White toothpaste is effective for removing hard water stains. Add some water to the toothpaste to make it thinner. Rub the toothpaste on the stain, and let it stand. Lightly clean the area with a sponge or scrub brush, rinse, and let dry.

If these solutions do not work, you'll need the help of a professional cleaning company, such as A-Plus Window Cleaning!