I want to quit using harsh chemicals!

[velochic]

We have the hardest water I have ever encountered in my LIFE! I have to scrub the sink every 3rd day because the water just leaves this residue of mineral deposits.

I use "The Works" and Kaboom to get rid of these stains. Leaving the stains is not an option because we are very neat and tidy people and like everything to be quite shiny. What I hate is that these cleaners make me cough from the fumes, and I feel like I waste a TON of water making sure it is rinsed off.

I have tried every combination of acid, baking soda... even more mild Borax... and nothing but these harsh chemicals work.

Any suggestions?

[riverscout]

In Clean House, Clean Planet, the author states that "generally speaking, vinegar is too mild of an acid to be of real help in dissolving significant mineral deposits. But it can work to prevent deposits from building up."

So my only suggestion would be to clean out the sinks with vinegar more often to prevent the build up in the first place. You could keep a spray bottle near each sink with a vinegar solution, and spray it down as often as you could, like at least daily. You can scent it with your favorite essential oil if the smell bothers you.

[riverscout]

Also, for a more thorough cleaning than the vinegar alone can provide, every few days you could try Alice's Wonder Spray, which is from the same book.

[Mamato3wild ponnie]

I love Shaklee's basic H2..it cleans everything with out any harsh chemicals. I brought it to Mexico..where the water is super duper hard and it cleans up the grime and goo so quickley.

[babycarrier]

We have ridiculously hard water. I've only tried in the toilet that had longstanding issues for serious staining and awful buildup, but I used a gallon of vinegar and let it sit overnight and that did the trick. Scrubbed right off in the morning with the toilet brush.

My friend swears by her pumice stick for hardwater buildup.

[transformed]

shower filter. or water softener.

You can drop a vit. C tablet in the toilet for some kinds of high iron hard water stains. (leave overnight)

[traceface]

What kind of sink is it? (what material)

I think a scrubbing powder called Barkeepers Friend may work. Have you tried something abrasive like that? It would at least be better than the harsh acids in Kaboom and The Works.

[Mallori]

What about Sal's Suds? I did quite a lot of my house today with that, and I gotta say, i'm impressed.

[Ruthla]

I use Bon Ami for any scrubbing that needs doing- it's unscented and Feingold approved and ecologically sound stuff. I've never used it on hard water stains, though, as we have soft water.

[becoming]

Clorox is making a whole line of natural cleaners made from plants and minerals. The bathroom cleaner works really well, and there are no harsh fumes.