With five children, Shifrah is learning a thing or two about how to keep a fairly organized and pretty clean house with a grateful heart in a way that leaves plenty of time for the people who matter most. Shifrah grew up in San Francisco, but has come to appreciate smaller town life in Tallahassee, Florida, which she now calls home. She's been writing professionally for twenty years and she loves lifestyle photography, memory keeping, gardening, reading, and going to the beach with her husband and children.
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Sometimes, despite your best and most consistent cleaning efforts, stains happen. This is often the case with hard water and rust stains. Not only are they unsightly, but over time, they can cause permanent harm to surfaces. Which is why, occasionally, one needs to pull out heavy-duty cleaners like CLR.
CLR stands for calcium, lime, and rust and—as you may imagine—it is designed to clean these things specifically. Now, CLR is actually an EPA Safer Choice winner, meaning it’s a safer choice for humans and for the environment. But, it’s also a heavy duty cleaning product that requires some precautions.
Here are six things you should never do with CLR:
1. Don’t use CLR in an unventilated space.
Breathing in chemical fumes is never a good idea and CLR is no exception. Before using CLR, open windows and doors, turn on vents, and try to avoid being in an enclosed space like a shower stall with a closed door.
2. Don’t use CLR without spot testing it first.
CLR is acidic and can cause etching and damage to certain surfaces. According to the CLR product page, it shouldn’t be used on “wood, clothing, wallpaper, carpeting, natural stones, brass, copper, aluminum, galvanized metals, any painted, coated or sealed surfaces.” Always spot test first and clean spills immediately to avoid damaging surfaces through inadvertent contact.
3. Don’t leave CLR for longer than two minutes.
Again, CLR is acidic, which makes it effective, but also means it can cause damage if left in contact with surfaces for too long. Always rinse away with cool water after two minutes of contact.
4. Don’t use undiluted CLR.
Always dilute CLR with water. The ideal solution is one part CLR to one part water.
5. Don’t mix CLR with other household cleaners or bleach.
Mixing acids with bleach creates toxic chlorine gas. Mixing with other household chemicals can also result in toxic fumes.
6. Don’t use CLR in a spray bottle.
Spraying CLR creates a mist that can be an inhalation hazard. Instead, use a sponge, scrub brush, or bowl to clean the affected surface.
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