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

When it comes to keeping my bathroom clean, there is one task that I constantly struggle with — my shower glass. Keeping your shower glass clean and spotless from unsightly, hard water marks can be a chore in itself. Not only do these chalky white or brown streaks make your otherwise clean glass look dirty, but can also cause scratches on the glass if left on there for too long.

I’m always on the lookout for easy, DIY cleaning hacks, and while we all know about the cleaning powers of white vinegar, I’ve just discovered an unusual tip to get rid of hard water stains on glass.

In fact, this is a popular cooking staple found in most pantries, and one of my favorite dishes to rustle up for dinner. So, what is this rather strange cleaning hack?

Clean hard water stains with rice water

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.

ALFLOD 12-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.

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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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