last seen 29 weeks 2 days agoSince moving to a "hard water area" I am having a ridiculously difficult time trying to keep my bathroom surfaces looking clean (shower and toilet). I haven't done any remodeling to the bathroom yet, that will wait till my summer off. The fixtures are obviously old, due to their avocado green color, but when I moved in 2 months ago they sparkled like new. Unfortunately, that ended when I took up residence here. I tried my trusty old cleaners that I usually use, only to find that they looked dirtier after cleaning than they did before. It must be minerals interacting with the soap and the cleaning fluids somehow. I set out yesterday to purchase CLR, but was put off by lack of a spray bottle. I ended up buying "lime away" instead. After scrubbing my heart out, I'm faced with another disappointment. My shower still has a white film all over it.
There is some type of filtration system installed, thought I know nothing about it. I'm used to basements, I'm not going into a crawl space to see what's up. I can't contact the previous owner to find out what she used, as I don't have contact information for her since she left the state.
Obviously, I will need to start using the "gel gloss, daily wipe-down" method here, but I can't do that until I can get the darn thing clean first! So, any recs for some good heavy-duty cleaning supplies that may help me out? Also, I think I should start using those drop in things for the toilet tank, so I'd be happy to receive a few recs on those as well.
Thanks! 
Ok, well scratch smartmom's idea for today at least. Made a fruitless trip to ace hardware only to find them closed on Sunday.
Then went to the grocery store looking for downgirl's comet--nada!
Wish I had seen Tuna's rec before I left, would have popped over to Family Dollar. It's now 5:02 here, I moved to "east bumsf*ck", I think they pull up the sidewalks at 1 second past 5. Can you tell I'm having a wee bit of difficulty adjusting to small town living?
On the bright side-I did come across something that is supposed to reverse the "grunge syndrome" that has developed inside my 2 month old dishwasher.
Oh Tuna, the tub is fiberglass, so if it's safe for your travertine - I don't see any issue with mine. I will keep an eye out for it-as "no scrub" sounds like heaven to me at this point.
I tried the new Kaboom foaming toilet bowl cleaner. It's supposed to be "scrub free", and while it did a decent job cleaning the toilet-it did nothing to remove the hard water streaks, even in conjunction with scrubbing. Any recs on the bowl/tank drop ins guys?
Well I'm done fighting this battle for today. I will enjoy the rest of my day relaxing on the deck and cooking dinner on the grill - so I can remind myself there was some benefit in relocating here. (My friends back home are still buried under ice and snow-they hate me now! LOL)
"When people show you who they really are, and they will, believe them the first time." ~ Maya Angelou
cleaning the toilet-it did nothing to remove the hard water streaks. Any recs on the bowl/tank drop ins guys?
ugh! i'm mad at me for not suggesting this in the first reply - - pumice stone. the answer to those orangish hard water streaks in the commode. buy a dry grey pumice stone. use gloves, get it wet or damp, it doesn't matter either way, and scrub the spots away instantly also. you will see the grey like matter from the pumice stone as it breaks down due to scrubbing....but it works brilliant! learned that out west here as most snowbirds who winter here usually return each year to these stubborn stains in the commode. this is a sure thing jewels! you won't be disappointed. and it takes little scrubbing effort. the pumice stone lifts it right off. even removes the blue stain left by the cheap toilet bowl drop ins. and, for drop ins, i get mine in a 2-pak at walmart and use the clorox brand. the bleach cleans. still get the blue caribbean look! also comes in green and they have scents now too!
Tuna...the other white meat!
Thank you again Tuna! I have seen the pumice stones around made specifically for the toilet. I'll definitely pick one up now. I bought some drop in with 2 tabs (one blue one bleach) can't remember the brand but I bought the most expensive one they had. I'll pick up the clorox for next time though. Yes, move out west-spend half of paycheck trying to keep house clean! LOL
Next up-getting an exterminator over here. I haven't had any issues yet-but my students report having scorpions, snakes, and huge spiders slithering into their homes. They come in to school many days with unknown bites that appear overnight. I'm, uh, like, really scared about that stuff!
"When people show you who they really are, and they will, believe them the first time." ~ Maya Angelou
yes, creepy crawlies are getting ready to come out of hibernation here. so if you are up to doing it yourself, there are a few stores here that you can go purchase this product that you sprinkle along the perimeter of your home. it looks like dirt. it is called Drione Dust insecticide. it not only kills scorpions, it also helps to eliminate the little insects and pests they feed on. it rids them all, here is a link: http://www.pestproducts.com/drione_dust.htm
husband of mine does all of our pest control prevention. you can purchase this online. also, look for a BUG & Weed Mart nearest you. they have near a commercial grade of chemicals for homeowners.
Tuna...the other white meat!
Thank you for that link, sure looks a lot more economical than spraying every month.
"When people show you who they really are, and they will, believe them the first time." ~ Maya Angelou
We have a lot of problems with the hard water here as well.. CLR got rid of it like you wouldn't believe... then again we have a lot of limestone here, so it was more or less the lime that was causing problems... just thought I'd throw in a suggestion you could try.
You could also ask your neighbors... if they aren't the snooty type.
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Those Poor Drunk Bees.....
Thanks Anime, the store I was just at had the CLR in a spray bottle. Maybe I will give that a try since it's readily available here. Perhaps the fact that they have it everywhere might indicate lime is an issue in this area? But then I would think the Lime-Away would have had some success. It is better after using it-but there is still a white film, even after scrubbing my heart out. It's a lighter white than it was, but is still evident to my eye. At this point if someone said "try rubbing cat pee on it jewels" I might actually consider it!
"When people show you who they really are, and they will, believe them the first time." ~ Maya Angelou
Lime-Away works with most stuff here, but it's only the 'L' in CLR... so the CLR will also battle calcium deposits and rust... 2 other possible problems from hard water... which is the only reason I suggested it over just limeaway itself.
Are you guys running off of an aquifer?
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Those Poor Drunk Bees.....
We have hard water too. Lime Away works, but I haven't used that in years. I use Kleen King. I orginally got it for my stainless steel potware (it doesn't scratch), then started using it everywhere. I just cleaned the sinks and the showers and the bathtubs with Kleen Kling last night and everything comes so clean, with a washcloth and is bright and shiny afterwards.
I get the Kleen King in Safeway or Walmart. Don't know what I would do without it.
If I was standing on a fish, I'd slip and fall......
I have no clue Anime. It is a public water/sewer supply though, if that makes a difference. We have the verde river and montezuma's well here in town. But I don't know if they are providing the public water or not.
"When people show you who they really are, and they will, believe them the first time." ~ Maya Angelou