Watch as I effortlessly tackle tough hard water stains using CLR Calcium Lime & Rust Remover. Say goodbye to stubborn stains with this powerful cleaner!
Hydrogen Peroxide & Cream of Tartar
Ordinary hydrogen peroxide works wonders on stubborn soap scum and water stain combinations that accumulate on bathtubs and metal fixtures. For added cleaning power, make a paste using cream of tartar, a type of baking powder, and apply it to the stained area.
Do not use CLR on wood, clothing, wallpaper, carpeting, marble, terrazzo, natural stone, colored grout, painted or metallic glazed surfaces, plastic laminates, Formica or aluminum.
Vinegar is a weak (acetic) acid that will cut the lime deposits, but not very quickly. CLR is a strong (lactic) acid with a few other ingredients that help it do a much better job on lime deposits. I don't know what its environmental impact is, compared to vinegar.
Before you get started, always use gloves and check if CLR is suitable to be applied on the material you are trying to clean. Test the CLR on an inconspicuous spot first before applying to entire surface.
Final Verdict. The best overall hard water stain remover is CLR Brilliant Bath Foaming Action Cleaner.
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.
If CLR Grease & Oil Remover is left on a surface for too long it begins to dry and can be very difficult to remove.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can work to remove tough hard water stains from your plumbing fixtures, bathtub, or shower. Spray a hydrogen peroxide solution onto the surface and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. After that, scrub the area with an old brush or sponge.
Professional window cleaners like Window Genie are trained and experienced in this battle. Window Genie uses a polishing paste specifically designed to fight the minerals that create these stains. The paste is applied to a non-abrasive cleaning pad and the window is lightly scrubbed.
Many users appreciate its ability to restore the appearance of faucets, showerheads, and toilets, often noting significant improvements after soaking. However, some customers experienced mixed results, with certain stains proving difficult to remove even after multiple applications.
Vinegar: One of the best ways to remove hard water stains is with vinegar. "This cleaning staple can remove water stains from about every surface throughout your bathroom," says Katie Dills, senior vice president of The Cleaning Authority.
STEP ONE: WET YOUR MAGIC ERASER.
Water activates the tough micro-scrubbers, so they can dig deep and remove hard water stains from glass and the toughest soap scum, making cleaning shower glass easier than ever.
Apply directly to the stain with a brush, cloth or sponge. After 2 minutes rinse promptly with cold water. Never leave Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover on an area for longer than two minutes. If the stain does not disappear, repeat this process and add more Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover solution as necessary.
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.
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.
Yes, CLR Bath Cleaner is specifically designed to tackle hard-water stains, along with calcium and lime deposits. It's a powerful solution for sinks, tubs, and showerheads. Spray it on the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub and rinse thoroughly.
Vinegar is safer to use than CLR. CLR has some strong chemicals in it, so you need to be careful when you use it.
The product works by breaking down mineral buildup and rust pretty quickly, so leaving it overnight doesn't necessarily make it more effective. In fact, it could damage your toilet if it's left too long - especially overnight. You should only let it sit for just two to five minutes, depending on how bad the buildup is.
Never mix CLR with other household cleaners or bleach and never reuse the bottle.
HG limescale remover concentrate is the ideal strong limescale remover for removing stubborn limescale. This heavy duty limescale remover also removes rust and urine stains as well as verdigris.
Simply pour a kettle of almost boiling water into the bowl, follow up with 250ml of citric acid, and leave it for some hours – preferably overnight. The next day, scrub and flush. What's good for those caked-on pots and pans after cooking dinner is also good for removing a brown stain on the bottom of the toilet bowl.