Some stains aren't just dirt — they're chemistry. When hard water meets glass, it doesn't just sit on the surface. It bonds. It corrodes. And it slowly robs your windows and shower doors of the clarity and shine they once had.

Here in Central Oregon, it’s not a rare problem — it's an everyday one. Bend's water is naturally high in dissolved minerals, a byproduct of its journey through the volcanic rock of the Cascades. That means local homes and businesses deal with hard water staining at a rate most other regions simply don't.

At Sunshine Window Cleaning, we reverse that process. From a single oxidized shower door to the full glass façade of an office building, we specialize in professional hard water stain removal & glass restoration for residential and commercial properties throughout Bend and the surrounding Central Oregon area.

Ready to bring back the shine?

What Are Hard Water Stains, And Why Won’t They Wash Off With Windex?

Hard water stains — also called mineral deposits, calcium deposits, glass oxidation, or glass corrosion — are the most common form of glass damage, and one of the most misunderstood.

They show up as grey or white hazy streaks, often shaped like water drips. Most people assume they're just mineral buildup that a good scrub will fix, but no amount of effort proves useful.

Here's what's actually happening: when water evaporates on a glass surface, all the dissolved solids (like calcium) don't leave with it. They stay behind, bond with the glass, and form insoluble compounds that can't be removed with soap or a standard window cleaning.

That's when you need professional glass restoration.

Where Do Hard Water Stains Most Commonly Appear?

Hard water stains tend to concentrate wherever water is present regularly and allowed to dry naturally. In Deschutes County, the most common problem areas include:

• Shower doors and enclosures — daily exposure to mineral-rich tap water makes these a prime target

• Windows near irrigation systems — sprinkler overspray is one of the leading causes of exterior glass corrosion

How Do You Prevent Hard Water Stains from Forming?

The best hard water stain is the one that never forms. Here are three proven prevention strategies:

1. Eliminate or redirect the water source. If irrigation overspray is reaching your windows — common on Bend's larger residential lots and commercial landscaping with lots of sprinklers — adjusting each sprinkler is the most effective long-term fix.

2. Dry surfaces immediately after water contact. Any time glass, polished stone, or metal gets wet — whether from a hose rinse, pressure washer, or Bend’s spring snowmelt — wiping or squeegeeing the surface dry before the water evaporates prevents mineral deposits from forming in the first place.

How Are Hard Water Stains Removed?

For minor hard water stains, a step-by-step process can be effective:

1. Rinse the glass thoroughly with clean water (no soap)

2. Squeegee the surface completely dry

3. Apply white vinegar or a dedicated hard water removal solution

4. Polish gently with 0000 super-fine steel wool using small circular motions.

5. Rinse and squeegee dry once more

6. Repeat the cycle as needed for stubborn spots

For deeply ingrained glass oxidation or corrosion, this process isn't enough. Stains that have chemically bonded to the glass — especially those that have built up over multiple harsh Central Oregon winters — require professional intervention, typically a glass abrasion process using specialized polishing compounds and a polishing machine.

That's where Sunshine Window Cleaning comes in.

Professional Hard Water Stain Removal & Glass Restoration Services

Sunshine Window Cleaning handles glass restoration projects of every scale — from a single oxidized shower door to multi-story commercial buildings. Our services include:

• Hard water stain removal on any glass, I.E. mirrors, windows, and shower doors.

• Glass oxidation removal and deep corrosion treatment

• Calcium deposit cleaning on interior and exterior surfaces

• Protective sealer application to prevent future damage

• Residential and commercial service — no job too large or too small

We are fully insured and certified, and we bring the same level of care to a homeowner's shower enclosure as we do to a downtown high-rise.

Ready to restore your glass? Contact Sunshine Window Cleaning today for a consultation and free quote.