# How can I clean calcium deposits? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 19, 2007, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705 "2007-09-19T03:41:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Shera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shera)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/1 "2007-09-19T03:41:34Z")
I have one of [these](http://www.petco.com/product/9399/Petmate-Deluxe-Fresh-Flow-Purifying-Pet-Fountain.aspx) water bowl for my cats. Mine is black and is covered in white calcium deposits from the lovely water that comes out of my tap. Despite my best efforts of scrubbing, soaking in vinegar, etc, I can’t seem to get the deposits off. I am regreting getting the black one, because it looks so gross. Anyone know how to get them off? ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/2 "2007-09-19T03:59:54Z")
Well, I guess CLR would be out because of the toxicity factor. I’d give a Magic Eraser a try. These things are great. It does say not to use it on food dishes however I think it would be easier to rinse off all residue of the Eraser than any chemical you might use. Also one of my cats has a sponge fetish and he’s chewed up a couple of these things that I accidentally left out and he has not suffered any ill effects. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/3 "2007-09-19T04:07:48Z")
There are several products for removing calcium deposits, for example [CLR](http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100783&id=prod1765587). The stuff really works. I assume the different brands are pretty much the same. I’m sure you’d figure this out yourself, but I’ll say it anyway: be sure to rinse your cat’s dish thoroughly after decalcifying it. These products are toxic. Since you have this problem with your cat’s water dish, you probably also have it (or will have it) in other places, like your shower head (calcium deposits can make the spray go in crazy directions, sort of like putting your thumb over the end of a hose). You’ll find many uses for your CLR (or whatever brand you buy). ---
**Author:** ![Shera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Shera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shera)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/4 "2007-09-19T04:33:31Z")
[QUOTE=Jeff Lichtman] There are several products for removing calcium deposits, for example [CLR](http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100783&id=prod1765587). The stuff really works. I assume the different brands are pretty much the same. I’m sure you’d figure this out yourself, but I’ll say it anyway: be sure to rinse your cat’s dish thoroughly after decalcifying it. These products are toxic. [/QUOTE] Like **Wile E** suggested, I am kind of hoping to avoid using any kind of cleanser, because I don’t want to poison my cats. There a lots of crevises in this dish that would be good pooling places for cleansers that don’t want to be rinsed away. Maybe I will give the Magic Eraser a try. I wonder why they say not to use it in food bowls. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/5 "2007-09-19T04:45:03Z")
The logical answer would seem to be, get another bowl in a lighter color. On the other hand you might not want to have your family consuming that water w/ so much calcium in it, so you might consider a filter system of some kind, or bottled water. ---
**Author:** ![Chasing\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@Chasing\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chasing_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/6 "2007-09-19T04:52:50Z")
Soak the bowl with some vinegar and let it stand for a bit. Then, you should be able to scrub the calcium off. ---
**Author:** ![IrreverentTone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@IrreverentTone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IrreverentTone)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/7 "2007-09-19T05:00:42Z")
[QUOTE=Chasing Dreams] Soak the bowl with some vinegar and let it stand for a bit. Then, you should be able to scrub the calcium off. [/QUOTE] I second this. If you can’t immerse every spotted place, soak a rag or paper towels in vinegar then lay them on the area and cover with plastic wrap to keep them from drying out. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/8 "2007-09-19T06:45:17Z")
[QUOTE=Chasing Dreams] Soak the bowl with some vinegar and let it stand for a bit. Then, you should be able to scrub the calcium off. [/QUOTE] Yes, and hot vinegar works even better. Cats do not like vinegar, generally, so be sure to rinse once with baking soda then again with water. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/9 "2007-09-19T07:25:08Z")
Why do you want clean calcium deposits? ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/10 "2007-09-19T14:36:07Z")
You could try Coke. The phosphoric acid will help chelate the metals. You could even increase the acidity of the Coke with lemon juice or vinegar. In all cases heating it will give better results. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/11 "2007-09-19T14:40:03Z")
Warm salt water has worked for me. ---
**Author:** ![MacGyverInSeattle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@MacGyverInSeattle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacGyverInSeattle)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/12 "2007-09-19T17:10:41Z")
Hydrochloric acid, known as muriatic acid in the hardware stores. It is acid, but not toxic as it is used in our stomachs for digestion. Use rubber gloves, rinse well with water, to make sure the acid is neutralized and has no sour taste, use a little baking soda in the last rinse. Oh and don’t get any in your eyes. This will be your best bet for getting off calcium or any hard water deposits. It does react with air a bit so you may want to do this outside. Disclaimer (Yes I know some people are scared of any chemicals, if so, don’t use it.) ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/13 "2007-09-19T17:17:32Z")
I could swear that one time someone on the board suggested using dryer sheets to wipe the hard water deposits off a showere door - am I imagining that? ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/14 "2007-09-20T07:40:34Z")
[QUOTE=MacGyverInSeattle] Hydrochloric acid, known as muriatic acid in the hardware stores. It is acid, but not toxic as it is used in our stomachs for digestion. [/QUOTE] Even if it isn’t toxic in the strictest sense of the word, that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous. Molten glass isn’t toxic, either, but I wouldn’t try to swallow it. Concentrated HCL can be used safely, but one must be careful. If you do decide to use it, be sure to lock the cat away. Cats love to investigate the unfamiliar. ---
**Author:** ![Dottygumdrop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Dottygumdrop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dottygumdrop)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/15 "2007-09-20T08:32:50Z")
You might also consider trying descaling sachets (usually citric or lactic acid) like those used to clean/descale electric kettles or steam sterilisers - if they’re safe to use in the kettle or a steriliser used for baby bottles, they should be reasonably safe for a pet dish (provided of course that you follow the instructions). ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/16 "2007-09-20T13:06:24Z")
The pink jelly cleaners use phosphoric acid to clean off calcium and rust deposits. The commercial bathroom cleaners are this. It’s the same ingredient that is put in some soda. Whatever form of acid you use, abrading the deposit is required. The best thing to get of the calcium is the edge of a stiff piece of plastic. Chunks of calcium will come off when you use the plastic on the acid softened calcium. ---
**Author:** ![Shera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Shera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shera)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2007, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-clean-calcium-deposits/419705/17 "2007-09-20T16:21:12Z")
I think I am going to try the hot vinegar. I tried cold vinegar, and it had no effect. Part of my problem is that I am in the middle of moving and half my cleaning supplies are at the other house. Hopefully I can get at them today. Wish me luck.