How to Get Rid of Lime Stains
Most of the time, the water that you use in the bathroom is not treated properly. They contain salts of calcium and magnesium. Such water is chemically known as hard water and is the prime cause for hard water stains and lime stains. They can be seen on your toilet bowls, taps, walls, floors, etc. These stains have a greenish tinge and are one of the most difficult ones of all stains to remove. The salts of calcium and magnesium gets deposited on these surfaces layer by layer and the longer it is left untreated, the more difficult it gets for removal.
Thought there are several methods available, most of which fight the stains chemically, it is always advisable to check for hard water right from the beginning as a defense against future stains. A very simple high school test for testing hard water is by adding few drops of soap solution (NOT detergent!) in the water. If you notice any scum or precipitate at the bottom, then the water is hard in nature. Calling up the local municipal corporation would be a wise choice. Otherwise, steps to convert the hard water to soft water are also another way out.
Nevertheless, in case a stain has occurred, follow these simple steps to remove it in no time.
Method #1: Acid reacts with these salts (present in the stain) and forms a chemically neutral substance and in turn removes the lime scales. The choice of acid can either be strong or weak, depending on the surface of the material. Normally sulfuric or hydrochloric acid of a higher concentration can be used in case of lime stains on metal surface. Otherwise the use of acetic acid, commonly known as vinegar can also be done. Apply the acid on the lime stain and scrub with a brush.
Method #2: Using a pumice stone is also an economical alternative, in case you do not want to deal with acids. Use a pumice stone to scour the stain off. Always wear a rubber glove to protect your skin. Wash it with running water. Use of some elbow grease along with pumice stone is recommended.
Method #3: Use bleaching powder (chlorine or ammonia based) and a de-scaler to remove the scale build up. Let the powder sit for a little while and then scrub the stain off with steel wool. Rubber gloves as a protection are compulsory, as the chemical is a fairly strong bleaching agent.
Method #4: Got an extra can of coke? If yes, Empty the whole can in the toilet bowl and leave it over night. Flush it once and scrub with the help of a long bathroom brush. The stain would have disappeared!
Method #5: Go for commercially available products such as “calgon”, to remove calcium deposits from almost any surfaces. They have several mixes of chemicals which remove the bond between the minerals and the affected surface. Mix one teaspoon of calgon in a liter of water and wash the stained area. Rinse well with running water.
As mentioned at the beginning, when hard water is the only source in your apartment, turning the hard water into soft water is a nice defense against future stains. Boiling the water for 10 minutes is the easiest way of mineral removal. Otherwise, mixing a small amount of “alum” in the water causes a reaction to make the water soft in nature and the minerals gets precipitated in turn. It is also advised to lodge a complaint in the local municipal corporation regarding the state of water, so that it is treated in near future.
