Hard water increases films and stains from soaps, minerals, and other substances. Bathroom fixtures, sinks, dishes, and other surfaces need more frequent cleaning

Calcium and magnesium in water leave hard deposits - called lime scales - on fixtures and equipment. These minerals make cleaning products less effective. To clean away lime scale, you need a cleaning product with "sequestrants." Sequestrants capture and deactivate minerals in water. (Calgon is one example of a product with sequestrants.) The deactivated minerals then cannot react with other materials to form scum, film, or lime scale.

You may also have problems from manganese, iron, brass, or copper. Manganese leaves brownish or blackish stains. Bacteria that thrive in water with a high iron content leave a reddish or white slime. Brass and copper content in water are the result of acidic water. When water is a bit acidic, it corrodes plumbing and fixtures. If you have brass or copper fittings, you may end up with blue or green stains on fixtures To remove any of these metallic stains, use an acidic cleaner or an all-purpose cleaner.

The general types of cleaners discussed on the back of this sheet will help you to remove stains on household surfaces. It's best to clean stains away regularly. If they are allowed to penetrate the surface, they become more difficult to remove. Be sure to follow label instructions for safe use of cleaners. You may need to open a window or use a fan to get proper ventilation.

Remernber, some cleaners, such as ammonia and bleach, should never be mixed or used together because they can form toxic fumes.

Store cleaners in a safe place and properly dispose of empty containers.

Type of Stain             Cause               To Remove Stain

Red, Reddish-brown        Rust, Iron	      Paste of borax and lemon juice; let dry, then rinse
				     
				              Paste of mild scouring powder, cream of tartar,
				               peroxide; let stand 1/2 hour, then rinse

				              Trisodium phosphate in water, then rinse

			                      Commercial products, like ZUD, then rinse

				              Oxalic acid, 1 part to 10 parts water, then rinse

Green, Blue-green         Copper, Acid Water  Soapsuds and ammonia, then rinse

				              Mixture of half water and half ammonia; rinse well
                                              and flush pipes with water after using

Brown. Black. and Others  Manganese	      Paste made of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide;
			  Other Minerals      Let stand, then rinse

Hard-Water Marks	  Hard Water	      Paste made of white vinegar and baking soda, let
Soap Scum				      stand, then rinse
					       
					      1 teaspoon Calgon in gallon water, rinse well

				              2-4 tablespoons trisodium phosphate in gallon water,
			        	      then rinse

White vinegar, a weak acid, is about 5 percent acetic acid. It may remove hard water deposits from glass, rust stains from sinks, and tarnish from brass and copper.

Lemon juice, another weak acid, contains citric acid which can be used in much the same way as vinegar.

Oxalic acid is effective as a rust remover.

Phosphoric acid is often found in cleaning products that remove hard water deposits. Hydrochloric and sulfuric acids are sometimes used in diluted concentrations in toilet bowl cleaners.

Rust stains present a special problem on plumbing fixtures. Commercial rust removers contain oxalic acid. If you purchase oxalic acid at full strength, dilute it with 10 parts water. Follow all precautions when using oxalic acid, as this is a highly toxic product. A commercial product like "ZUD" may be effective on rust stains because it contains oxalic acid. When surfaces have become rough or pitted from repeated scrubbings with an abrasive cleaner, ZUD or a similar product may be mixed with water to form a paste and left standing on the stain for several minutes, then rinsed off.

For fixtures that are not acid resistant, clean with trisodium phosphate to remove the rust. Geam of tartar, a mild acid, may be mixed with water to form a paste rust remover

Do not use abrasive cleaners on fiberglass, ceramic tile or glass.