Whether your cleaning challenge is in the kitchen or garage, our cleaning experts are here to help you.  Below are some of the tips they’ve passed on to the readers of our newsletter.  Browse through them.  If you have a question that’s not answered here or elsewhere on the site, our experts would be happy to help.

Have a question of your own? Ask our experts!

Roddy from Sheridan, Michigan wrote to us after a long search for a product to clean his aluminum siding. He wrote, “Just to let you know, I have been looking for over a year for a product that would remove rust stains from aluminum siding. One of our below ground sprinklers would spray the corner of our house and over time was turning the white aluminum siding a yellowish color. We tried various products and nothing would remove the rust stain from the aluminum siding. Last week I tried CLR Calcium, Lime & Rust Remover and it completely removed the stain. I just mixed it with a little water, applied it to the affected area, waited two minutes and rinsed off with water. The stains came right out. I could not find any manufacture that listed rust stain removal from aluminum siding as an use for their product. You should add this as an additional use for your product as I am sure there are others out there that have had the same problem.”

Roddy, I’m glad CLR worked so well for you. CLR can also be used on vinyl siding. You can use CLR on aluminum or vinyl siding as long as it is diluted and is thoroughly rinsed off of the surface in under two minutes. Studies have shown that the top coating of the siding will be affected if full strength CLR is left on the surface for five minutes or longer.

Don’t tell the plumber

Vytautas from Highland Heights, Ohio was positively gushing, pun intended, in the email I recently received. “Shhh!!! - don't tell your plumber about this fantastic product! With this on the market Mr. Plumber will just have to keep company with another lonely guy the - Maytag repair man. I tried all I could think of to open my bathroom sink drain to no avail. Your CLR Power Plumber is like a nuclear roto-rooter. This stuff works better than advertised. Thanks a million!!”

Thanks for the high praise, Vytautas. CLR Power Plumber works on a different premise than any of the leading drain openers. Power Plumber relies on compressed gas to clear drains. When the formula in the can is released and comes in contact with water in your drain, it expands rapidly creating a standing wave. Power Plumber uses the water in your pipes as a battering ram pushing the blockage through and clearing the walls of your pipes.

Power Plumber can be used to unclog blocked sinks and tubs, slow-moving drains, double sinks, toilets, shower drains, floor drains and garbage disposals. Clogs can be cleared up to 50 feet away without harming plastic or metal pipes. Power Plumber will work on any clog including hair, grease, food particles or soap build-up.

I heard from Carla in Waycross, Georgia about a problem she was having in her new home.  “I found this product (CLR Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaner) in 2004 when we bought our home and had to clean our bathrooms that were insanely filthy.  The sink, toilet and tub are beige in color, so when we looked at the house we did not notice how bad the soap residue was in the tub/shower.  But as soon as we began moving in and touched it, we would not even shower at our NEW house until we could find something to clean it.  I tried EVERYTHING - all the way to scraping with a razor and Easy-OFF Oven Cleaner; it did NOT touch the soap deposits.  I sprayed CLR Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaner all over it and began scrubbing... 6 scrub sponges later it was sparkling clean and I was hooked.”

Carla, we’re happy that CLR Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaner worked so well for you.  You can use CLR Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaner on a wide variety of surfaces in addition to your tub.  You can use it on your white grout and tile, counter tops and toilet.  You can also clean the soap deposits off your sink, chrome and brass fixtures as well as the sliding door to your shower.  As long as it is not treated with a synthetic coating, you can make quick work of soap residue on your shower enclosure.  Do not use CLR Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaner on vinyl, marble, mirrors, plastic laminates, wood, fabrics, painted surfaces, colored grout or wall coverings.  CLR Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaner is safe on glass, plastic, fiberglass, ceramic tile and more!

Carla, you should always use CLR Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaner in a well ventilated area while wearing household rubber gloves and test a hidden area of the surface before beginning to clean.  When cleaning, apply the solution to a clean damp cloth, sponge or directly to the surface to be cleaned, allow the foam time to work and then rinse with clean cold water.  You should never leave the solution on a surface for more than two or three minutes.  CLR Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaner is the tough cleaner that will help you get your bathroom clean down to the shine.

An “amazing” way to clean your countertops

We just received an email on one of our newest products, CLR Stone Cleaner, from Cindy in Scottsdale, Arizona.  “The way this product wipes up the dirt is amazing!  After the amount I paid for my countertops, I want a product that Really works!  And this one does...I will tell all my friends.”

Thanks for the high praise, Cindy.  CLR Stone Cleaner is formulated to clean without scratching and provide protection against spills, food and grime on a wide variety of surfaces including granite, marble, Corian and tile.  The cleaner resists fingerprints as well as smudges without streaking.  CLR Stone Cleaner restores the luster to the surface and won’t leave a greasy coating or sticky residue.

My buddy Garrett always waits until the last minute for everything.  It’s almost summer and now he is finally asking me how to get his grill really clean.  I told him that he could get his grill looking like new with CLR Grease Magnet.  Before beginning to clean, I told him to examine his grill for heavy deposits of grease and to scrape off as much as possible.  To remove the grease on his grill rack, I told him, while wearing rubber gloves, to soak the grate in Grease Magnet and allow the solution to sit on the racks for about five minutes or until he sees the grease running off of the grate.  Then he was to scrub the rack with a stiff bristled brush and rinse the grate with clean water from his hose.   To clean the grease from his drip pan, he needed to spray the pan liberally with Grease Magnet and use a stiff bristled brush to scrub the pan.  If there was still residue, he needed to repeat the process and, once he was done, rinse the pan with clean water from the hose.  Finally, to clean the outside of his grill, he sprayed the grill with Grease Magnet, wiped it down with a sponge and rinsed the grill with his hose.  Before and after cleaning, to keep his grass and shrubs safe, he watered everything within the cleaning area with cold water from his hose.

Adding a shine to stainless steel

I heard from Kerry in Spokane Washington recently about one of our newest products.  “My mother heard from someone to use baby oil to clean the surface of her stainless steel refrigerator and dishwasher, which she did.  When I saw the results yesterday I was convinced she had ruined the surface of both appliances.  There was dark streak marks all over the surfaces plus they were sticky to the touch.  I tried cleaning with a wet rag, but the streaks came back and did nothing for the stickiness from the baby oil.  I went over to my parent’s home today at lunch with CLR Stainless Steel Cleaner.  I swear once I used the Cleaner on both appliances they looked brand new.  Dark streaks and stickiness just vanished.  My parents couldn’t believe it.  This stuff really does work.”

Thanks Kerry.  We have been getting nothing but rave reviews on CLR Stainless Steel Cleaner since we introduced the product earlier this year.  CLR Stainless Steel Cleaner removes dirt, residue, water spots and fingerprints from refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, grills, small appliances and more.  Once the item is cleaned, our cleaner will leave a streak-less, shiny protective barrier which repels dust, dirt, grime and even fingerprints.  Since CLR Stainless Steel Cleaner is so new, we have limited distribution.  You can order it online at ShopCLR.

Mike from Lufkin, Texas came up with the most unusual use for CLR I have ever seen. “I am not sure if it was your product (CLR) or the Scotch Brite pad I used, but one of the two, or the combination of the two worked great at making my turn signals and park lights work again in a 1977 Ford truck. The truck was parked in 1979 and sat in the weather all those years. I got the truck for no charge, and after minor tinkering was driving it, but the park lights and signals would not work. Contact cleaner would not clean the plugs, but CLR and a Scotch Brite pad have me rolling perfectly legal now. Just had to share that with you, and allow you to test it if you'd like, so you can share it with any car nuts you may run across.”

Thanks for sharing your idea, Mike. CLR is a great rust cleaner and much more. CLR is an effective way to clean away calcium and lime deposits as well as scale from porcelain, chrome, glassware, fiberglass, stainless steel and grout. You can use CLR inside and outside of your home. You can clean your calcium encrusted outdoor faucets, your rusty siding, tools and the hard water stains left from the sprinkler system on your outdoor windows. Do not use CLR on wood, clothing, wallpaper, carpeting, marble, terrazzo, natural stone, colored grout, painted or metallic glazed surfaces, plastic laminates, Formica or aluminum.

The easy way to clean off years of tarnish

I don’t know about you, but when the weather is nice I like to go antiquing. Not to the fancy, expensive stores, but to the out of the way shops where you can find some absolutely beautiful pieces in a dusty corner of the store. I recently went to one of these stores and found a gorgeous sterling silver tray that was covered with tarnish. I grabbed the tray because I knew a little Tarn-X would make the platter look like new. To use Tarn-X, while wearing rubber gloves, simply wipe the piece with the solution, rinse, wipe and years of tarnish will disappear. For smaller items, just dip the item in Tarn-X, rinse and wipe. Tarn-X will clean sterling silver, silver plate, platinum, copper, gold and even diamonds.

Prior to using Tarn-X, use a hot soap and water wash to remove any dirt or grime. Rinse with cold water and wipe dry. After using Tarn-X, rinse immediately with cold water and hand dry with a soft cloth. Never leave Tarn-X on anything longer than two minutes. Silver may discolor if Tarn-X is left on too long or if it dries on the item. If the piece does discolor, to remove the discoloration, wash the item in 1/2 warm water, 1/2 Tarn-X and two drops of dish soap, rinse with cold, clean water and dry the item.

I received an email from George in Hainesport, New Jersey with an idea for all you mariners out there.  “I had been trying to clean white water stains from my black outboard motor for years.  The lake I fish in Canada is on limestone.  I tried everything like cleaner waxes, automotive cleaners, Etc.  It only took a paper towel with CLR and 5 minutes to clean it off.  I'm sold on CLR!  Thank You!”

George, as a fellow fisherman I’m glad CLR was able to help with your problem.  CLR is a fast and effective way to clean away calcium and lime deposits as well as scale from porcelain, chrome, glassware, fiberglass, stainless steel and grout.  To use CLR, while wearing household rubber gloves, mix equal amounts of CLR and warm water.  Apply the solution directly to the calcium, lime or rust stain with a brush, cloth or sponge and rinse promptly with cold, clean water.  If the stain does not disappear, repeat the process using full strength CLR.  Never leave CLR on any surface for more than two minutes.

I heard from Theresa in Southgate, Kentucky with a problem that occurs often especially in areas that have hard water.  “Our washer is leaving rust stains on our clothes.  Thought I'd give your product a try before flipping the bill for a new washer.  Problem is, I have no idea where the rust stains are coming from!  I have tried to surface clean it with general cleaning products with no results.  How do you suggest I clean with the CLR?  I was going to run a phantom load but would like some suggestions on how much of the CLR to use if you have any suggestions.  Please email me back.  Would love to have clean clothes without rust marks.”

Theresa, to get rid of the rust on your clothes you need to completely eliminate the rust from inside your machine by running your washer with CLR and no clothes.  With a top loading machine simply add a ½ cup of CLR once the machine starts and be sure to pour an additional three cups of water in after you have poured in CLR.  In front loading washing machines, the door locks once the wash begins.  As a way around this issue, wait until your washer is half full and then add a ½ cup of CLR to the machine where you normally would add your detergent and softener.  With both types of washers, once the machine has finished, run the machine again with just water to clean out any remaining CLR.

New to a septic system

Last month I heard from Laura in Grants Pass, Oregon.  She had just bought her new home which uses a septic system.  “Just bought a house with a septic system - have never had one before.  Want to make sure the cleaners are safe to put down the drains.”

CLR and CLR Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaner are both safe for you and your septic system, Laura.  Jelmar worked with the EPA to develop these products to be effective as well as safe.  Neither product contains phosphates, ammonia or bleach.  Since you have never owned a home on a septic system before, let me give you a little advise.  Your septic system is too valuable to your home for you to take for granted.  On a monthly basis, use CLR Septic System Treatment.  Using the measuring window on the bottle, pour a 1/3 of a bottle of the solution down any of your drains or into your toilet.  CLR Septic System Treatment is safe on pipes as well as porcelain and uses more environmentally friendly ingredients than other brands.  When added to your septic system, CLR Septic System Treatment turns the sludge and solids that fall to the bottom of your septic tank into liquids so that they can flow into your drain field.

Dishwashers can last for years, but, depending on your water, they can over time stop running efficiently because of calcium and rust buildup.  The email I received from Amy in Glendale, Arizona is typical to many I receive.  “I just wanted to compliment CLR, it's the only thing keeping our dishwasher running right!  Thank you very much.”

If you have hard water in your home, use CLR on a regular basis to keep your dishwasher running at peak efficiency.  To clean out the calcium, lime and rust build-up, run the machine without soap and add a ½ cup of CLR once the machine is at least halfway filled with water. After the machine has finished, run the machine again with just water to clean out any remaining CLR.

Spring cleaning during the winter

You might as well make the most of these next six weeks of winter and get a few more projects done inside before the weather gets better.  The two rooms that can probably use the most attention are the kitchen and your bathroom.  To get these rooms immaculately clean, you need CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner.  With CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner, you can be confident that your bathroom and kitchen are really clean and that you’re helping the environment by using a green product that does not contain any phosphates, ammonia or bleach.

Use CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner on your white grout and tile, counter tops and toilet.  You can also clean the soap off your tub, sink, chrome and brass fixtures as well as the sliding door to your shower.  As long as it is not treated with a synthetic coating, you can make quick work of soap on your shower enclosure.  Do not use CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner on vinyl, marble, mirrors, plastic laminates, wood, fabrics, painted surfaces, colored grout or wall coverings.  CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner is safe on glass, plastic, fiberglass, ceramic tile and more!

Always use CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner in a well ventilated area while wearing household rubber gloves and test a hidden area of the surface before beginning to clean.  When cleaning, apply the solution to a clean, damp cloth, sponge or directly to the surface to be cleaned, allow the foam time to work and then rinse with clean, cold water.  Never leave the solution on a surface for more than two or three minutes.  CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner is the tough cleaner that will help you get your bathroom and kitchen clean down to the shine.