Hi there! I need some help. I live in an area with hard water. We installed a scale ban, and that is helping a LOT, but the sink where my husband shaves is still coated with that dull scum. I was told by pretty many people (including the people where I bought the 2 new bathroom sinks I bought [different people in 2 different stores] that I shouldn't use anything abrasive on vitreous china or mad-made marble. That means Comet or Ajax is out. I even heard baking soda is too rough. Anyone know of something that I can put on to dissolve the scum? Thanks in advance.
WOW! Vinegar wins the day, at least in popularity. I want to thank all of you for caring about my scum! ;=) I'm going to experiment with the various things, especially the vinegar, oil, and citrus peels.
C.:
hth:
http://www.newdream.org/consumer/springcleaning.php
Let me know how you make out, as I haven't tried these yet!
smiles,
L., Brianna & baby
I've been using the Tub n Tile and it works great for me! It's non-caustic so there's no harsh fumes and it's nuetral based. If you'd like more info please contact me: ____@____.com
Also, here's a site for "green"products haha that are toxic.
http://www.conknet.com/~planter/cobwebs/greenclean_basics...
Good luck!!
I would try vineger or lemon juice- something acidic.(We're HS, too, ages 8,6, and 2. We're at the running around to different HS sports phase.Do you belong to any HS groups?)
vinegar, it cleans EVERYTHING in my house:) seriously, the only "cleaners" I buy are dish soap, hand soap, and a spray for the shower (baby ganics) because it was on sale.
Its not natural, but Kaboom bathroom cleaner works great for me. We have hard water too.
I have used a product called CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust) on our lime deposits and it works like a charm. It can be found in a container that you pour out or in a spray bottle. Spray bottle is much handier. Good Luck!
Hi C.,
I have heard good things about the Shaklee products. I haven't tried them yet myself, but I do have a good friend who sells them. You can see them here: http://www.shaklee.net/eganshaw
J.
A Mother's Boutique
Breastfeeding clothing, nursing bras, breastpumps, slings and accessories
MamaSource members save 10% off their first purchase (excluding breastpumps) using promo code MAMASOURCE.
http://www.mothersboutique.com
Hi C.!
We've found this awesome store that doesn't do public advertising - you only hear about it through word of mouth. We were referred by someone in our area and we started shopping there - we absolutely love it! We're saving time because everything is delivered to our door and they have a lot of things you'll find at Target & WalMart but it's less expensive and works SO much better than the name-brands we were used to buying.
Their bathroom cleaning products are awesome! Definitely a "must-have." It got the mildew stains off of our shower and keeps the kids' bathroom clean all the time. And it's safe for me (I have asthma) and the kids because they are green.
We've told several people about this store (we just couldn't keep it to ourselves) and they've loved shopping there too. I'd be happy to tell you about it and get you the info you need so you can shop there too. Call me at home any time - ###-###-#### or email me with a good time and phone number to reach you ____@____.com.
There is hope for a clean (and green) bathroom for you! Talk to you soon!
A. Cotter
A little bit about me:
I'm a 38 yr old mom of 2 & step-mom of 3, wife to my hubby & best friend, Speech Pathologist by degree but my passion is working from home (I love my job! ~ www.Great2bHomeOnline.com)
You have a lot of good advice already, but I haven't seen anyone mention borax. I dissolved it in water in a spray bottle. This works unbelievable on my bathroom sink to get hairspray off, when borax dry, baking soda, and bon ami did nothing. It just melted it right off.
Hi C.
I am starting homeschooling next year with my 2 kids; 7 and 8. Do you have any resources as far as us getting together with other kids? for social events and field trips? WHat area do you live in?
Thanks,
C.
soft scrub is good because it cleans without scratching. another thing that i have seen in the store and on commercials is green power which is supposed to be natural and good for cleaning without the harsh chemicals. another thing that is good are the orange cleaners,they work well too and get rid of the residue-soap scum. look at walmart or target they have a variety of cleaning products at a reasonable price.
Hello C.,
Melaleuca has the best product I have ever used: Tub & Tile Soap Scum and Water Spot Remover. It has no harsh chemicals and is non-abrasive. One bottle goes a very long way because it is concentrated. If you are interested please let me know.
M.
email: ____@____.com
Have you tried baby oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, or any such type of oil on it? There was stains and soap scum really bad on the sink & tub in one of the rentals when we moved in. I used over the counter cleaners that where supposed to clear that up, nothing worked. A friend once had told me about using the above mentioned oil (lightly rubbing an oil soaked cloth in circular motions, stubborn spots need more pressure), and I was at wits end so gave it a try. It worked, and looked good as new. No hard scrubbing either, the oil gets behind the scum and lifts the dirt away. It is amazing how well it works. Just do not forget to wash the oil out of the tub afterwords..
I use Babyganics or teh new Clorox go green stuff...not sure how "natural" it is but there are NO fumes and I can breathe when I clean.
There is an all-natural cleaner, starts with an M but I cannot remember the full name....
Good luck!
Have you ever heard of the Queen of Clean? When we lived in AZ, she was on a local radio show every week. I went to her website and looked up your problem. It didn't have exactly your problem but some other suggestions you might try. Here is the link; http://www.queenofclean.com/tips.php
I remember that I got advice on getting rust stains off the shower from the shaving cream can too. All you had to do was make a paste of cream of tartar and let it sit over night on the spot and them lightly scrub with like a toothbrush or something like that. It worked like a charm!
Hope this helps!
I use the products from Shaklee (www.shaklee.com). They have a shower spray that I also use for the sinks. It makes the sinks shine in minutes.
I would suggest white distilled vinegar. It is great for hard water situations. When we moved into a hard water area, my dishwasher paddles were so full of hard build-up and I soaked them in straight vinegar to loosen it.
Double check with your sources, but I would recommend straight apple cider vinegar. After all, they recommend it to clean out the hard water crud in coffee pots and showerheads!
C.
My water is very soft. But I use White Vinegar (I buy it by the gallon) to clean the house. It works great on soaking shower heads to remove the yuk. And I use as a daily shower spray (dilated with water. The smell goes away after a few minutes and you have a fresh clean smell left.
Here is a link http://www.vinegartips.com/cleaning/
I also use Simple Green.
Another way maybe the new hot steam cleaners - they clean with just water - you may want to use distilled water in the steamer.
S.
C.,
I use vinegar in my home and it works wonderfully and does not streak. I clean my bathrooms and windows with it and we also have a hard water problem.
I love a Magic Eraser for all kinds of things like this...we have very hard well-water, too. Let me know if it works...
http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm
a good site to keep bookmarked. I didn't look for your specific need, but hope the site has something.
R.
I know of something that isn't a natural or homemade cleaner, but it's not abrasive. Greased Lightning. It's my favorite cleaner. There are pipes that are corroding in my house (I rent) and it turns the wall of my shower a greenish blue. Greased lightning takes it right off, no scrubbing required!
I shop at a company that makes natural cleaning products,no harsh chemicals or abrasives.
www.melaleuca.com
Contact me for more information.
S.
www.LiveYourDreamsAtHome.com
I use clorox clean up on EVERYTHING... and bathroom sinks is def. one of the first places that needs it! It cuts threw just about anything you can cake on!
