DIY Diva

DIY Limescale Remover

It's not often that I find myself with enough free time to zone out in front of crummy TV infomercials. (Not a habit I'm proud of, but one I savor completely, if only because it's such a shameless waste of time.) But on deliciously errand-free Sunday not long ago, I indulged. And in so doing, I was struck by how many cleaning products exist solely to get rid of chalky white limescale and other mineral deposits. You've seen them: sprays that "power out" hard water stains on your shower door, wipe out rust marks in your toilet bowl and magically restore your shower head's water pressure.

What's frightening is that these miracle elixirs seem to be getting more potent by the year. Sure, "spray on, rinse off" is easy, but anything that dissolves something so tenacious as limescale on contact gives me the heebie-jeebies. What might they do to my plumbing or to the fish that live downstream from my wastewater treatment facility? I'll pass, thanks. Why take chances when there are assuredly better solutions out there--ones that require little more work than the supercharged infomercial sprays? Next time you need to wipe out limescale (or rust-colored iron deposits, as we get in my home), opt for one of these solutions. The secret is the ingredients' natural acid content, which breaks down and loosens the dried-on minerals. The best part? They're not only eco friendly, they're cheap. (Yes, even cheaper than than 3-easy-payments stuff.)

• Clear a mineral-clogged shower head with white vinegar. Fill a Ziploc bag (preferably one you've already used and washed--less waste!) with the vinegar, then place it around the shower head so that the head is fully submerged. Use a rubber band or long twist tie to fasten the bag around the nozzle. Allow the shower head to soak for at least an hour, then remove the bag and run the shower briefly to clear any debris.


• Spray vinegar or lemon juice onto mineral-stained surfaces such as sinks, tubs and toilet basins. Let it rest for 30 minutes, then scrub clean with a brush.


• Make a paste out of water and cream of tartar powder (found in the baking aisle or spice section of your grocery store). Apply it to mineral stains, using a damp rag or an old tooth brush. Let it rest for 30 minutes, then wipe off with a damp rag.
© The Green Guide, 2008

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Glass Shower Doors
posted by anna223 on 2008-01-23 10:09:45  

Has anyone had any success with vinegar and glass shower doors. Despite my squeegee vigilance, I still get water stains. Will vinegar get them off or should I try some other combo?

Limescale remover
posted by Simbasmom on 2008-01-23 20:31:56  

I would also like to know how to clean, in a green way, shower doors.

Limescale remover
posted by Simbasmom on 2008-01-23 20:31:59  

I would also like to know how to clean, in a green way, shower doors.




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