The newly launched CLR PRO MAX Industrial Descaler, developed to tackle heavy duty scale build up and rust with power and speed.
CLR is a harsh chemical cleaner intended for uses like cleaning hard water mineral deposits from sinks and tubs. It's too abrasive and acidic for cleaning a coffee maker. Instead, I'd suggest using a mild, food-safe coffee maker descaling solution.
As we mentioned earlier, vinegar is one of the best natural descalers in your kitchen. Vinegar is very acidic that combats the limescale of your coffee appliance after regular brewing. Mix vinegar with warm water in a 1:1 ratio and run the brew cycle several times for cleaning.
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.
CLR can be used in dishwashers and coffee machines, but ``CLR is not recommended for Gevalia, Keurig or Cuisinart coffee makers. *Do not use CLR in espresso machines.''.
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.
Vinegar is safer to use than CLR. CLR has some strong chemicals in it, so you need to be careful when you use it.
*Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover is not recommended for Gevalia, Keurig or Cuisinart coffee makers. *Do not use Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover in espresso machines. Always read your coffee maker's manufacturer's directions before using Calcium, Lime and Rust to make sure product is compatible.
Tip. If your machine is HE (high efficiency) and/or 'Water Saver' we recommend using a 1/4 cup of CLR Calcium, Limescale & Rust Remover, instead of the normal 1/2 cup recommended for any other type of washer.
Baking soda is another very popular home remedy used for descaling coffee machines. Just like vinegar, it is widely used throughout the home. To clean your coffee machine using baking soda, dissolve 1/4 of a cup in 1 litre of water, pour it into the tank, and then follow the same steps as in the previous methods.
Citric Acid Descaler
Citric acid is derived from citrus fruit, so the compound is safe, natural, and an ideal eco-friendly descaler. Citric acid has a lower PH level than vinegar, so you won't have to contend with lingering odors as you do with vinegar.
Wash carafe and brew basket with hot, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Vinegar is slightly acidic which helps it break down mineral build-up in your coffee maker. This is a great at-home solution when you don't have access to a specialized coffee machine descaling agent.
CLR, on the other hand, is more of an all-rounder. It's just as good at cleaning limescale and hard water stains too, but it's a lot more effective at getting rid of rust than Lime Away thanks to the phosphoric acid.
Never mix CLR with other household cleaners or bleach and never reuse the bottle.
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.
CLR PRO MAX® Industrial Descaler
Effectively dissolves and eliminates heavy buildup like scale, rust, and struvite, from a variety of industrial equipment and drains.
While vinegar might be a cost-effective and convenient option for cleaning around the house, it's not the right choice for descaling your espresso machine. The potential damage to your machine's components and the residual taste and odour it can leave behind make it a subpar solution.
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.
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.
White vinegar designed for cleaning, known as “cleaning vinegar” is a 6% concentration versus 5%, which equates to about 20% more strength than 5% ACV.
CLR is acidic in nature and the solution could corrode the plastic container that you are using to hold the CLR.
Baking soda is commonly combined with another solution, such as vinegar or water, to create a cleaning paste. (But be careful not to combine baking soda with certain solutions such as chlorine bleach, ammonia, or alcohol because these can cause dangerous chemical reactions.)