Does anything work better than CLR?

Author: Damaris Hessel  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 6, 2025

#1 White Vinegar White vinegar is the best CLR substitute. It's great for the environment and it's super effective at breaking down rust and limescale. The secret? It's the acetic acid in it.

What happens if you leave CLR on too long?

If CLR Grease & Oil Remover is left on a surface for too long it begins to dry and can be very difficult to remove.

Does zep work better than CLR?

Customers say the Zep Calcium, Lime, and Rust Stain Remover is an effective and cost-efficient alternative to more expensive brands like CLR. Many users appreciate its ability to tackle tough stains, particularly in toilets and on various surfaces affected by hard water.

Does Lime-A-Way work as well as CLR?

In my opinion, CLR does not work unless you have light build up of calcium and lime and it does not touch rust. Lime-A-Way spray work well on light build up, but the toilet bowl gel is the heavy weight champion on super hard water build up.

Does vinegar work better than CLR?

Vinegar works slightly better then CLR. Vinegar didn't need 3 days on any head, one head after 3 had stubborn rust in CLR, I switched it to vinegar for a day and it all came off. Conclusion: Twenty cents worth of vinegar works better then six dollars worth of CLR. After you do this it will surface rust pretty easy.

CLR vs vinegar: Does CLR work better than vinegar?

Is there anything stronger than CLR?

Muriatic acid, which is also called hydrochloric acid, is some pretty heavy-duty stuff. It's a good CLR alternative, and it can clean up rust and limescale super fast - but you've got to be really careful with it because it's seriously corrosive.

What dissolves rust the fastest?

6 Fastest Ways to Remove Rust from Metal
  • Fiber Wheels.
  • Rubber Polishing Abrasive.
  • Aluminum Foil Or Steel Brush Wheel.
  • Lemon Juice Or Vinegar With Salt.
  • Sodium Bisulfate (Mixed with water)
  • A Bath with Vinegar.

What not to use with CLR?

Never mix Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover with other household cleaners or bleach. Always read the manufacturer's directions of the item you will be cleaning to make sure that this product is compatible.

Can you mix CLR with Dawn?

Never mix CLR with other household cleaners or bleach and never reuse the bottle.

What is the strongest calcium remover?

Final Verdict. The best overall hard water stain remover is CLR Brilliant Bath Foaming Action Cleaner.

What is the main ingredient in CLR?

Calcium Limescale & Rust Remover, more commonly known as CLR, is a household cleaning product used for dissolving stains, such as calcium, lime, and iron oxide deposits. Its main ingredients include water, lactic acid and gluconic acid.

Does Zep work on black mold?

Usually once we find a product that works well for us, we are often reluctant to try something new. To my surprise, in a very short time, the Zep Mold Stain and Mildew Stain Remover destroyed the black mold in the grout lines (see photos below).

Should I wear gloves when using CLR?

Use in a well ventilated area. To use CLR Metal Clear, wearing rubber gloves, dip a damp cloth or sponge into the solution, rub briskly over the area you are cleaning, let it soak for two to three minutes and then rinse with cold water.

Can you mix CLR and vinegar together?

Bleach And Vinegar

It can be extremely dangerous as it produces chlorine gas when mixed even at low levels. They might clean dust and dirt effectively but can cause breathing issues, coughing, burning, watery eyes, and other similar problems.

Will CLR ruin concrete?

Over time, your concrete floor or driveway may look unsightly with dirt and rust stains. Use CLR Calcium Limescale & Rust Remover for a routine clean to give your floor a quick and easy makeover. DO NOT USE ON ARTIFICIALLY COLOURE CONCRETE, RENDERED OR AGGREGATE SURFACES.

What two chemicals should never be mixed?

Dangers of Mixing Household Chemical Cleaners
  • Bleach + Vinegar = Chlorine gas. This can lead to coughing, breathing problems, burning and watery eyes. ...
  • Bleach + Ammonia = Chloramine. ...
  • Bleach + Rubbing alcohol = Chloroform. ...
  • Hydrogen peroxide + Vinegar = peracetic/ peroxyacetic acid.

Is vinegar better than CLR?

Vinegar is safer to use than CLR. CLR has some strong chemicals in it, so you need to be careful when you use it.

Can I soak my faucet in CLR?

Mix 50/50 solution of CLR with water in a bowl. Submerge the faucet or shower head in the solution for 2 to 3 minutes.

Can you pour used CLR down the drain?

Yes, CLR is safe if you have a septic system in your home. By the time the product reaches the septic system, it's neutralized with water so there is no danger in using CLR.

How do you remove calcium without CLR?

White Vinegar

This ingredient you likely have sitting in your cabinet in your kitchen. Not only is it great for salads, but white vinegar is great at getting out hardened water stains. You'll want to utilize the rags and place it over the fixtures to break down calcium buildups.

What is the strongest rust remover?

Best Rust Removers
  • Best Overall: Evapo-Rust ERO12.
  • Best Heavy-Duty: Corroseal Water-Based Rust Converter.
  • Best Value: WD-40 Specialist Rust Remover Soak.
  • Best Multi-Purpose: Jelmar CLR Pro CL4PROEA Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover.
  • Best for Kitchens and Bathrooms: Whink Rust Stain Remover (Two-Pack)

Does Coca-Cola remove rust?

Coca‑Cola can help clean rust or corrosion, because it contains phosphoric acid, an edible food acid found in lots of foods and drinks. Any acidic drink like orange juice, lemon juice and champagne has the same effect as Coca‑Cola on metal.

What removes rust permanently?

For stubborn rust, citric acid may be the way to go. Make a paste using two parts baking soda and one part lemon juice, and then apply the paste to the rusty area using a sponge and allow to sit for at least 30 minutes. Use a brush or steel wool to scrub away the rust from the metal.

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