Hard Water Help!

Updated on February 17, 2009
M.R. asks from Provo, UT
18 answers

How do you get hard water off things like a dish drainer? (the bottom part) I always try and clean it, but I have never been able to clean it back to its nice red color without all the white residue...anyone have any ideas that work?

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A.S.

answers from Denver on

I agree with Krista about the Tub & Tile. It is a fantastic product that can remove the hard water stains without the harsh chemicals.

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C.W.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Have you tried straight vinegar? If yes, try backing soda and add vinegar. It makes a FUN chemical reaction and does a GREAT job. It's the ONLY combination I have come across to remove hard water deposits AND rings in the bathtub!

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J.J.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Actually, I have the same problem. Vinegar works GREAT! And it's not a harsh chemical. You can soak your shower heads in it and it just flakes right off.

J.

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C.C.

answers from Salt Lake City on

When I have extreme build up, I soak it in bleach water. I do also use the vinegar most of the time don't do both together though--
GL!!

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K.T.

answers from Provo on

We have hard water too, and I found this GREAT product called Tub N Tile that works AWESOME!! Let me know if you want to know where to get it!

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P.L.

answers from Boise on

I recently,accidentaly found out that hydrogen peroxide works. I spilt some on my faucet that had build up and it bubbled up and then the hard water just flaked right off. I think it has the same affect as baking soda and water do on a battery.

Good Luck

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L.B.

answers from Provo on

Insight Unlimited's "Radiance" -mild acid cleaner that takes off lime scale, is the best I have found. It is like "Lime Away" on steroids because "Lime Away is diluted. This is a commercial product.

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J.H.

answers from Colorado Springs on

We have trouble with hard water also and have found that soaking in white vinegar works. I usually soak it for an hour and then use a washcloth/sponge with a scrub pad and it tends to come right off. I have a stainless steel dish drainer, so not sure if you will have the same results based on the material of your drainer. But I also use it on my granite counters around the sink where the minerals build up and it works there also. Hope this works. Good luck.

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S.N.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Try Kaboom. It works great on hard water spots.

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J.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

soak in white vinegar for a few minutes and rinse it clean. This is also GREAT in the toilet. I dump a cup of vinegar in the bowl, go do my other chores and come back to a quick easy clean up!

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D.B.

answers from Provo on

My husband has done a lot of professional cleaning, and he says all you have to do is get a box cutter and scrape it off - making sure to get the right angle on the blade so it just scrapes over the surface, not cutting the paint. Or you can go to a professional cleaning supply store and buy "Foamy Q&A". - be careful, this stuff will burn your skin if you leave it on your skin too long (wear gloves and you'll be fine). All you have to do is spray it on, scrub it, let it sit for a few minutes, and wash it off. He says the box cutters should work fine. Good luck!

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R.M.

answers from Denver on

you could try vinager (white) and baking soda.
kaboom works really well too.

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R.S.

answers from Denver on

Soak it in a vinegar and water solution for 20 M. plus.

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N.S.

answers from Great Falls on

Soak it in Vinegar. If you can't soak it, soak a washrag in vinegar and wipe it down. You can also pour vinegar on the crusty parts and let them soak.
Other than that, there isn't much you can do for hard water stains, unless you're looking at investing in a water softening system.
Hope it works....I'll check out the other replies and see if there is something I haven't tried or heard of yet. I've always wondered if there isn't something better out there without going to the smelly harsh chemical removers.

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B.J.

answers from Provo on

white vinegar! let it soak for several minutes and all the residue should come off.

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P.D.

answers from Denver on

A lot of people said vinegar, and that may do the trick. But in case it doesn't, sometimes baking soda will get off what vinegar won't. Good luck!
P.S. Actually. Limeaway is another great option for hard water build up, as well.

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H.A.

answers from Denver on

You can also try CLR (Calcium Lime Rust) but it is a pretty harsh chemical.

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K.G.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Just pour vinegar on it and let it soak. Minerals will wipe off. Also works for bath stall glass, coffee pots etc

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