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Removing hard water stains

Dec 22, 2010#1

JDgreen

We have a good quality kitchen sink that has lime and rust deposits built up by the drain, I have tried everything I can think of to remove the stains, Lime Away, CLR, Ajax, Bon Ami, Clorox, Comet, Iron Out, etc. Every single cleaner fails to dissolve the build up, even when the deposits are soaked overnight. It is possible to chip off part of the deposits using a plastic scraper, but I am not going to use a metal scraper or SOS pad except as a last resort. I have tried WD-40, paint thinner, Goodbye Splatters, Goof Off, all kinds of solvents, nothing will soften the stuff.

HELP, PLEASE !! :confused2:

Dec 22, 2010#2

K

KennyV

Hey JD ... Put in a water softener, remove the minerals before they accumulate... :smile:KennyV

Dec 22, 2010#3

JDgreen

KennyV said:
Hey JD ... Put in a water softener, remove the minerals before they accumulate... :smile:KennyV

Do have a softener but still have the issue, the sink is a cast iron type, was very expensive and I hate to replace it. Just want to know how to remove the deposits. There must be SOMETHING that will dissolve them.

Dec 22, 2010#4

RobertBrown

JDgreen said:
Do have a softener but still have the issue, the sink is a cast iron type, was very expensive and I hate to replace it. Just want to know how to remove the deposits. There must be SOMETHING that will dissolve them.

Did any of the products you mentioned contain Muriatic acid? I can't imagine any water deposit that would not be dissolved with a high concentration of that. I don't know what a concentrated Muriatic acid would do to your sink either. The trick is not removing the build up the trick is removing it with out damaging the sink:frown:

Dec 22, 2010#5

JDgreen

RobertBrown said:
Did any of the products you mentioned contain Muriatic acid? I can't imagine any water deposit that would not be dissolved with a high concentration of that. I don't know what a concentrated Muriatic acid would do to your sink either. The trick is not removing the build up the trick is removing it with out damaging the sink:frown:

Isn't that the stuff used to clean concrete? Will do some research, the sink is porcelain over cast iron, it's really tough...I tried something used for toilets too, made no difference. Thanks much for the idea...will try it on an old sink in the barn to see if it damages the finish. And, to ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, none of the cleaners I have tried contain that acid.

Dec 22, 2010#6

S

Stevie-Ray

Have you tried straight vinegar? Or even a mix of vinegar and hot water. Fill the sink with that and let it sit for a half hour or so. It's acetic acid and is far kinder to pipes and such than hydrochloric. Hydrochloric (muriatic) will start eating your drain basket immediately, if it's metal.

What I use up north is Sno-Bol, for toilets. But there's 2 types and you must get the one that is watery liquid rather than the gel type. It even takes rust spots off vinyl siding.

Have you a whole house filter to go along with your softener?

Dec 22, 2010#7

K

KennyV

Stevie-Ray said:
Have you a whole house filter to go along with your softener?

A whole house filter will remove sediment but not minerals, A Deionization Water Filter will remove minerals but can be a bit pricey to maintain...
If you have a lot of mineral deposit even with a softener, your water must be terribly hard... KennyV

Dec 22, 2010#8

H

Honey

Have you heard of Watkins? They have a toilet Bowl cleaner that would work fantastic. A friend of mine turned me onto it, she rents houses and a tenant left the toilet a mess, hard water stains and the whole bit, she used that and it looks like she replaced it.
Watkins Official Home Business Opportunity Web Site | Traditional Favorites

I see it's temporarily unavailable, but it should be back soon.

Dec 22, 2010#9

JDgreen

Honey said:
Have you heard of Watkins? They have a toilet Bowl cleaner that would work fantastic. A friend of mine turned me onto it, she rents houses and a tenant left the toilet a mess, hard water stains and the whole bit, she used that and it looks like she replaced it.
Watkins Official Home Business Opportunity Web Site | Traditional Favorites

I see it's temporarily unavailable, but it should be back soon.

Thanks all, for your suggestions...yes, house has a filter too, but for the ten years prior to me moving out there, copper water pipes had no softener and minerals built up inside, when I moved out there I installed filter and softener, but still get some deposits flushed out from pipes...have thought about replacing water pipes but most are 3/4 inch and LONG runs...anybody priced copper lately...OUCH. :frown:

Dec 22, 2010#10

JDgreen

KennyV said:
A whole house filter will remove sediment but not minerals, A Deionization Water Filter will remove minerals but can be a bit pricey to maintain...
If you have a lot of mineral deposit even with a softener, your water must be terribly hard... KennyV

It's well water, terribly hard and full of lime...no public water available in this area so I have to take what I get...

Dec 22, 2010#11

S

SeniorCitizen

JDgreen said:
It's well water, terribly hard and full of lime...no public water available in this area so I have to take what I get...

JDgreen said:
We have a good quality kitchen sink that has lime and rust deposits built up by the drain, I have tried everything I can think of to remove the stains, Lime Away, CLR, Ajax, Bon Ami, Clorox, Comet, Iron Out, etc. Every single cleaner fails to dissolve the build up, even when the deposits are soaked overnight. It is possible to chip off part of the deposits using a plastic scraper, but I am not going to use a metal scraper or SOS pad except as a last resort. I have tried WD-40, paint thinner, Goodbye Splatters, Goof Off, all kinds of solvents, nothing will soften the stuff.

HELP, PLEASE !! :confused2:

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Visit a janitor supply for your muratic acid cleaning needs. They will probably have some around 23 percent. With heavy buildup it may take awhile alternating between soaking and scraping with the plastic scraper.

And they will have Nitrile gloves by the box.

Dec 23, 2010#12

D

Driller

I wish I had something helpful to say, but it looks to me like all the good suggestions have been made. I hope you can find a solution so that you don't have to replace it.

Dec 23, 2010#13

K

KennyV

if you are going to resort to muriatic acid, you can readily find it cheep at any place that sells swiming pool supplies... :smile:KennyV

Dec 23, 2010#14

JDgreen

KennyV said:
if you are going to resort to muriatic acid, you can readily find it cheep at any place that sells swiming pool supplies... :smile:KennyV

C'mon Kenny, you expect there are many swimming pool supply dealers open in Mid Michigan this time of the year....:laughing:

Dec 23, 2010#15

RobertBrown

JDgreen said:
C'mon Kenny, you expect there are many swimming pool supply dealers open in Mid Michigan this time of the year....:laughing:

Thats pretty funny:smile: I'm wiping away the tears at this moment. Swimming pool dealer in Michigan in December:laughing:
I suppose you have swimming pools, therefore the pool chemicals must be available. I just picture this fellow sitting behind a counter twitteling his thumbs and staring out the window at the snow waitng, waiting......for spring.

Dec 24, 2010#16

K

KennyV

there are not indoor pools & spas or hot tubs in Michigan this time of the year?? There has to be..
:smile:KennyV

Dec 24, 2010#17

JDgreen

KennyV said:
there are not indoor pools & spas or hot tubs in Michigan this time of the year?? There has to be..
:smile:KennyV

Yes there are, we have a hot tub too, I just could not resist making the joke....:laughing:

Dec 24, 2010#18

H

Honey

JDgreen said:
C'mon Kenny, you expect there are many swimming pool supply dealers open in Mid Michigan this time of the year....:laughing:

I nearly spit out my morning coffee reading that reply. Our pool shops here are seasonal too, far too cold in winter to use that sort of thing here as well.

Dec 26, 2010#19

JDgreen

Honey said:
I nearly spit out my morning coffee reading that reply. Our pool shops here are seasonal too, far too cold in winter to use that sort of thing here as well.

To all, undiluted vinegar removed most of the deposits, the diluted (50/50 with water) muriatic acid took care of the rest, THANKS TO ALL !!! :thumbsup:

Dec 26, 2010#20

M

monica123

That is good to know. My folks battle hard water stains in their bath tub, I will have to pass that on to my mom to see if it helps for her situation.

Jul 22, 2017#21

I

islandboy

JDgreen said:
We have a good quality kitchen sink that has lime and rust deposits built up by the drain, I have tried everything I can think of to remove the stains, Lime Away, CLR, Ajax, Bon Ami, Clorox, Comet, Iron Out, etc. Every single cleaner fails to dissolve the build up, even when the deposits are soaked overnight. It is possible to chip off part of the deposits using a plastic scraper, but I am not going to use a metal scraper or SOS pad except as a last resort. I have tried WD-40, paint thinner, Goodbye Splatters, Goof Off, all kinds of solvents, nothing will soften the stuff.

HELP, PLEASE !! :confused2:

Try using white vinegar....spray all over the sink then put a layer of paper towels, spray again, leave overnight...next morningi you should see some results ...I have a well , same problem, the vinegar fix works.

Jul 24, 2017#22

D

Diana Welch

You need to scrape off the rust by using a steel brush before you put any chemicals. It works, I assure you!

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