The calcium and magnesium in water leaves hard deposits called lime scales. These minerals make cleaning products less effective. To clean away lime scale, you need a cleaning product with �sequestrants.� The sequestrants capture and deactivate the minerals in the water. (Calgon is one example of a product with sequestrants.)

To clean hard-water marks (i.e. soap scum) there are some cleaners that can be made at home:

Make a paste of white vinegar and baking soda. Place it on the stain and let it stand, following with a good rinse.
Mix 1 teaspoon Calgon in a gallon of water; apply, then rinse well.
Mix 2-4 tablespoons trisodium phosphate (TSP), (available at most hardware stores in white powder form, it is a cleaning agent and degreaser), in a gallon of water; apply and then rinse.

For more information, call Buncombe County Cooperative Extension at 828-255-5522.

(Image provided by Buncombe County.)

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