Good-looking windows are an integral part of a good-looking car. And no matter how glossy your car’s exterior looks, if it arrives with dirty windows that are totally covered in dust and dirt, people will generally turn their heads away.
According to the report of the New York Post, approximately 24% of people said they avoid cleaning their cars because they know they will just get dirty again shortly thereafter. However, everyone wants to have maximum visibility through their car windows.
Water spots will not physically damage your vehicle, but they can impact your visibility and make your car look less clean than it is. And if water stains are not removed, they can gradually become a more permanent feature on your vehicle. So, knowing how to remove water spots from car windows is very critical.
In this article, we have shared a list of 7 simple and quick ways to remove water spot or stain from car window that will make your window glass clean and shiny. Also, here we have covered the different types of water spots or stains that generally occur in car windows.
So, let’s get started.
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Different Types Of Water Spots Or Stains In Car Windows
The annoying water spots on your car windows are generally caused by water droplets that dry on the glass and leave the minerals behind. However, there are different types of water spots or stains that can occur in car windows and they are caused by different reasons.
1. Normal Or Regular Water Spots
Normal or regular water spots usually form when hard water leaves a mineral residue on the glass of your vehicle’s windows. These minerals are mainly magnesium, calcium, or something like that.
And water from any source, which includes rainwater, sprinkler water, and even water from some car wash services, can cause these spots. These milky white mineral deposits usually form over time and can ultimately cause a permanent water spot that could not be removed without extensive treatment.
2. Water Stains With Etched Patterns
Normal mineral deposits usually do not cause these types of etched water stains. These stains mainly occur when small amounts of water left on your car window are exposed to intense heat or high amounts of sunlight for longer periods of time.
As the temperature of your car’s windows gradually rises, water spots can eventually become etched into the glass. That is why it is very important to completely dry your car after washing it and you cannot leave it out in the sun to dry.
3. Bonded Mineral Stains
Mineral stains or bonded mineral stains, generally occur when rainwater containing corrosive or acidic elements strikes the glass of your vehicle. These water stains are far more dangerous than etched water stains and must be taken care of immediately.
7 Ways To Remove Water Spot Or Stain From Car Window: Keep Your Car Window Clear & Clean
There are various methods to remove stains or water spots from car windows and you should choose one of them after considering the severity of the water stains. Here we have compiled a list of the 7 quick and easy ways to remove water spot or stain from car window.
1. Using Vinegar And Water Solution
As vinegar is highly acidic in nature, you can use it to remove water spots by combining it with water. This combination can easily neutralize the minerals present in a water spot or stain without damaging the glass of the car window if you can do it correctly.
You should use a spray bottle filled with vinegar and water solution and you must ensure that the solution contains an equal amount of both components. Because, if you use too much vinegar, it can permanently damage the glass of your car windows.
Now, just spray your car windows with this mixture and use it more on the places where the water spots or stains are the worst.
Then you need to allow the solution to soak on the glass for a minute or two before scrubbing away the mineral buildup in the areas of the water spot where the most mineral buildup is present. Also, you should make sure to use a microfiber cloth once more to wipe it clean.
2. Apply Lemon Juice To Remove Water Spots
If you don’t want to use a vinegar solution, you can try this method. You need to cut a lemon in half and then extract its juice. Now, you can easily use it to dissolve minerals in the water spots or stains on your car window.
If squeezing enough lemon juice to fill a bottle is too time-consuming for you, then you can simply rub a slice of lemon on the water spots instead.
However, you need to ensure that you apply a significant amount of pressure so that you get enough acidic juice to do the job. First, juice two lemons and mix the juice with equal parts water.
Then pour this mixture into a spray bottle. After that, spray your car windows that are affected by the hard water spots with this mixture.
Now, you need to use a microfiber cloth or paper towel to gently rub the water spots away. Finally, rinse thoroughly and use a towel to dry the surface.
3. Use Baking Soda
You can also try this method, as it is really simple and easy. First, you need to make a paste by mixing a small amount of water with baking soda. Then apply this paste to a microfiber cloth and vigorously scrub the water spots on the car window with it.
As the baking soda paste contains abrasive granules, it can easily wear away the water spot’s minerals and the limescale-like buildup.
After scrubbing the water spots or stains as well as you can, wipe all of the paste off the window and thoroughly rinse the glass of the window with water.
In this method, as there is a chance of paste scattering around your car’s interior, we strongly recommend you to use this method only for outside windows.
And to remove any residue from your window glass, you should clean the glass with a regular glass cleaner and newspaper to make it super shiny.
4. Using A Solution Of Toothpaste And Water
You can use a mixture of water and toothpaste, as toothpaste can also help remove hard water stains from car windows. And some non-gel fluoride toothpaste has a mild abrasive, which helps to remove hard water stains from windows.
First, you should make a solution out of toothpaste and a sufficient amount of water. You need to mix these well for easy application. Then, apply this paste to your car windows with a cloth.
And you should ensure that every part of the window which has water spots is covered with a decent layer of this mixture. Then, you need to allow it to sit for a few minutes until it dries.
After that, just wipe the paste away with a soft cloth or paper towel. Now, rinse the window completely with water. Finally, you should clean and thoroughly dry your car’s glass with a conventional glass cleaner and a newspaper.
5. Use Essential Oils Of Lemon Or Orange
Essential oils are gaining in popularity for different uses and it is one of the widely used methods to remove water spot or stain from car window. Lemon or orange essential oils can help you to remove hard water spots from your car’s windows.
Also, they can prevent hard water deposits from building up in the future. It is the extra benefit that essential oils provide.
First, you need to mix a few drops of orange or lemon essential oil with the water. Then apply the solution to your window with a clean sponge or microfiber towel.
Now, allow it to soak for about 10 minutes, and then clean it with a reliable automotive glass cleaner. You can use this tip or try it once a week to prevent hard water spots from depositing on your windshield.
6. Remove Water Spots By Using A Glass Cleaner
You should know that you can easily remove water spots from your car windows with an excellent glass cleaner. First, you need to research and identify or find out a good window or glass cleaner.
Now, you should clean the glass with the glass cleaner and scrub away the water stain or spot using a microfiber cloth. This method usually works best with the normal spots, because you would not accidentally wear down the glass material of your window.
And, in most cases, we strongly recommend you to use a microfiber cloth, as it would not leave small pieces of fabric behind and would not scratch the glass.
These glass cleaners generally can be used to clean glass mirrors, windows, and windshields. However, for the best results, you should follow the directions printed on the label of the product you use.
7. Using A Fine Steel Wool
If you have stubborn water stains in your car window, then this method is ideal for you. You will need a fine steel wool (grade 0000) and a reliable glass cleaner.
First, spray the glass cleaner of your choosing across your windshield, windows, and mirrors where the water stains are present.
Then, just allow it to sit for several minutes. After you have allowed the mixture to soak properly, take the grade 0000 steel wool and gently scrub away the water spots.
However, it is very important to remember that you should be extremely careful and should not press too hard.
You should not put any extra pressure on the steel wool, because too much pressure can easily scratch your glass and you would definitely hate that.
Now, rinse the windows thoroughly with clean water. Finally, apply another layer of regular glass cleaner and wipe instantly with a paper towel.
How You Can Protect Your Car Windows From These Water Spots
Removing water spots from your car window is definitely the first thing you should do, however, your job is not finished until you protect your window glass from future water spots.
Because you should always try to prevent water spots before they occur to save your precious time and money. You can protect your car windows from water spots by following these steps:
- You should always park your vehicle in a covered area to keep your windows from getting wet.
- You should regularly remove any water that has accumulated on your car windshield and windows.
- You need to apply a water repellent to your windshield and windows.
- Definitely wash your vehicle frequently with soft water whenever possible and dry your vehicle completely after washing it.
- Always try to avoid buildup and treat your water spots as soon as possible.
Wrap Up On Remove Water Spot Or Stain From Car Window
Water spots can be extremely annoying and difficult to remove if they cover the entire surface of your car windows. However, you would be really happy to know that you don’t have to spend money on expensive spot-cleaning products.
You just simply need to use one of the quick and easy solutions listed above to clean your car window. And as a safety precaution, always try to wear gloves and protect yourself, mainly your eyes, from any contact with the solutions you are using while cleaning.
Also, you should always test every method in a small area before using it on windows as some windows are not meant to be treated with some chemicals.
We hope that our article has helped you to find the easiest way to remove water spot from car windows and if you have questions related to this topic, please leave a message in the comments below.
FAQ: Remove Water Spot Or Stain From Car Window
As many people are constantly trying to remove stubborn water spots from car windows with little success, they have many different questions in their minds. Here I have selected some of those relevant questions and answered them briefly.
Q1. Are Hard Water Stains On Glass Permanent?
Ans: As glass is porous, it is really important to remove these hard water stains as quickly as you can. Because the mineral deposits can easily make their way within the structure of the glass and cause permanent damage and even shorten the lifespan of the glass.
Q2. Will Dish Soap Remove Water Spots From Car?
Ans: Only those soaps that are particularly made for cleaning cars would give you the best result in cleaning your car. We would recommend you to not use dish soap and laundry detergents, as they can leave water spots when you wash your car with them and also damage your car’s paint.
Q3. Can Vinegar Damage Car Glass?
Ans: You must protect the dashboard from the vinegar and water solution drips by covering it with some microfiber cloths, paper towels, or newspapers. Because the vinegar and water solution for cleaning may damage it.
