How to Clean Hard Water Deposits??

Updated on July 14, 2008
K.C. asks from McKinney, TX
36 answers

I am trying to get my house ready to sell and I am wondering if anyone knows any good ideas/products to clean the hard water deposits that form around the knobs/handles of the bathroom sinks. Thanks!!!

3 moms found this helpful

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K.R.

answers from Dallas on

I prefer NON-TOXIC cleansers (better for us and the environment): Mix 1/3 cup salt, 2 tbsp vinegar to make a paste. Apply with a damp rag. Let stand 20-30 minutes. SCRUB off and rinse. Works for shower doors too.

1 mom found this helpful
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V.R.

answers from Dallas on

I am also faced with this problem...when you get some ideas, would you please forward them to me...
@ ____@____.com ...thanks a bunch...Virginia

1 mom found this helpful
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D.K.

answers from Dallas on

Hi KC,
Try using the Mr. Clean Magic eraser. I use it in my glass shower with water so that nothing scratches. Use could also try using White Vinegar. I do not like using really smelly cleaning products, so these 2 things always work for me.
Hope this helps..
D. K

1 mom found this helpful

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J.C.

answers from Dallas on

Lime Away is the best.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Dallas on

Dear KC, I live in Rockwall, Texas. I am a Mom of 2 grown sons, and a Grandmother of 4. I have also tried all sorts of Hard water remedies. I have found that just a cheap can of mens shaving cream once a week, (put just a quarter size on your hand and wipe it on the surface, especially on shower glass and shower door, will brighten, shine, take care of water spots and hard water stains will do wonders, try it. Sincerely, S. Hardy

1 mom found this helpful
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C.C.

answers from Dallas on

CLR (stands for Calcium-Lime-Rust) will do the trick! I had hard water stains on my refrigerator's water dispenser, and CLR cleaned it up no problem! You can find it in Walmart.

1 mom found this helpful
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P.M.

answers from Dallas on

Try CLR - they sell it at Lowe's and Home Depot. That stuff is amazining!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Dallas on

Mr. clean magic eraser works great!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.G.

answers from Dallas on

Dollar General has a cleaner that I use for EVERYTHING!! It is only $3 for a 32oz bottle. It is called Greased Lightning.
I love it! It works on the eww that become your stove vent-a-hood. It works in the shower and the ring of grime left around the tub. And, if you let it set for a few minutes it even works to remove the left over sticky from the tape your husband used to secure his speaker wire to your tile floor. :)
Hope it works for you.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

I second, or is it 10th, vinegar. We have very hard water and it has worked great. I will have to go try to vinegar at Lowes. I had no idea it was 20%!

I keep a spray bottle of half white vinegar and water to clean my bathrooms with. You can use it on all the surfaces including the mirrors. It has saved us a ton of money each month on cleaning supplies.

If the smell of the vinegar gets to you, add a couple of drop so peppermint essential oil. Just know that if you add the oil you cannot use it on your mirrors.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Dallas on

I like the product Bam. You can buy it at Walmart.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Dallas on

I was just at my mom's for a week and we just talked about this. She uses white vinegar. Easy on the hands and it disinfects at the same time.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.D.

answers from Dallas on

Kaboom works wonders & you can buy it at the Walmart in Hudson Oaks. I used it on my glass shower door & it works like magic!

1 mom found this helpful
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G.A.

answers from Dallas on

I tried everything and could not find anything that works. That is why I wipe down every thing every time. Even those commercials about soap scum nothing has worked. Be interesting what others say. G. W

1 mom found this helpful

J.L.

answers from Dallas on

Lime away works for me. A more natural method is apple cider vinegar

1 mom found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Dallas on

The cheapest way is to use repeat applications of vinegar. You can use a soft bristle toothbrush to scrub after soaking. The other products work but they're not as cheap as vinegar.

You can use a plastic scraper (like those little brown ones from Pampered Chef) to scrape after soaking, but resist using any metal tool because you could scratch the faucet.

On your next house - treat the faucets often with vinegar and wipe them down and you won't have as much build-up!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.M.

answers from Amarillo on

I have had the same problem. The best thing I have found is white vinegar. For around faucets, etc. put straight vinegar in a spray bottle, spray all over surface. Let it set awhile and wipe/scrub clean. For water/ice dispenser remove drip tray and soak in a dish of straight vinegar. Some spots take a little scrubbing. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.F.

answers from Dallas on

Kaboom has a wonderful product - you can even get it at your local Dollar General, Walmart or grocery store. - it do not have any harsh fumes - actual smells very pleasant! It is the one for Shower and tile - it works great for calcuim build up too!!!! Just spray it on, might need to work it in a litte for areas with allot of build up, walk away for about 5 - 10 minutes then spray or wipe if off. Just wonderful!!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.M.

answers from Dallas on

Try vinegar. If they're really stubborn, you might need to soak paper towels with the vinegar and then let them sit on the knobs/handles for a while, even maybe overnight.
Good luck.
C.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

i would love to assist you in this!!! I have a list of repairmen.that do work-they are licensed-and do things after hours for 20 bux etc........
I am single mom of 6yr old....i will list your home for 1%......my 2 big deals I been counting all changed mingd friday night-5 families involved!!! And i will have my best friend -(she cleans) scrub that stuff with toothbrush. clr-rust remover of anysort....for me any cleaner works takes scrubbingwhere you live??? ____@____.com realty professionals of southlake

1 mom found this helpful
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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

We have really hard water also. I have had good luck with vinegar. You can also put it in a baggie and use a rubber band to secure it on the end of the faucet. Let it soak for a little while. You'll want to make sure the house is well ventilated. The odor is strong. For toilets, I use The Works. It is hydrochloric acid, so the odor is strong. Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful
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E.H.

answers from Tyler on

I haven't face the problem of water deposits, just yet.
MY advise to sell your house was to put a nice scented
candle for an hour or so before prospect buyer comes
to see the house. It's very important to feel the house
clean and homey, Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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R.M.

answers from Dallas on

CLR. It's the best stuff I've found for it. Let it soak on the deposit for a couple minutes, it'll bubble and all. Then rinse off. Works like a champ.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.W.

answers from Dallas on

I heard vinegar works.

Try going to Heloise.com and see what she has to say. She usually has good ideas.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.T.

answers from Dallas on

Tub n Tile works great (but not on granite or marble). It doesn't contain any harsh chemicals or toxins and no fumes, so it's safe for you too!

Good luck!!

T.

ps if you need a good real estate agent - i can refer you to a great one!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.E.

answers from Amarillo on

CLR works, but it is pretty harsh.
Also, soak a rag in white vinegar, and wrap it around the knob, maybe even tie with a string or rubber band. It will really help it. Do this, give several hours, scrape off what is softened, you may need to do it again.
Good Luck!!
A.

1 mom found this helpful

R.D.

answers from Dallas on

Try WD-40 - yes that is the spray can for use in the garage. Works on the hard water deposits on shower doors without scratching or scrubbing. You might be careful around the fixtures. I don't know what it would do for the finish.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.P.

answers from Dallas on

You can get 20% acidity vinegar at Lowe's in their organic gardening section. (Regular vinegar is only 5% acidity).
This works wonders!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.G.

answers from Dallas on

CLR works great. I dip my drinking glasses in it when the lake turns over and my glasses get cloudy.

L

1 mom found this helpful
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T.S.

answers from Amarillo on

Of course, white vinegar. It actually breaks down the water deposits, but it takes a while. Once after you treat with vinegar, use this next trick. I found a "scrubbing block" at Wal Mart in the cleaner isle by the 3M sponges and such. It is a light blue block that looks like a pumice stone. It also works great for toliet rings. I have also used a razor blade and literally scraped the build up off with it. It just pops right off. After you get it off, spray and wipe with vinegar every couple of days to keep it off. I am a realtor, and people really are going to look at he cleanliness of your kitchen and bathrooms. If you have a spotless house, it says to a buyer that you take care of business and your home. Best wishes for a smooth sale!

1 mom found this helpful
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T.L.

answers from Dallas on

Baking soda, a little water and an old toothbrush. Has always worked for me and non toxic. Cheap too.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.C.

answers from Dallas on

CLR - Calcium, Lime & Rust works well. Vinegar is a more non toxic.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

I'll second the vote for Lime Away!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Wichita Falls on

what works for me is using ajax powder and a toothbrush. It takes a little bit of time but it really comes out sparkling!!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.W.

answers from Dallas on

CLR or Lime Away work great!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.W.

answers from Dallas on

try asking someone at home depot/lowe's.

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