Calcium Lime Rust

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Calcium Lime Rust, more commonly known as CLR, is a household cleaning product used for dissolving stains, such as calcium, lime, and iron oxide deposits.

Contents

Ingredients

CLR's ingredients may include various compounds: [1] [2]

One formulation is (by weight) lactic acid 12–18%, gluconic acid 2.50–3.75%, lauramine oxide 1.50–3.25%, with the remainder being water. [3] The product also contained phosphoric acid at one time,[ citation needed ] but it is now phosphate-free.

Mechanism of action

Weak acids, such as lactic acid, citric acid, and phosphoric acid, are commonly used in cleaning products like CLR to effectively dissolve calcium deposits and rust. These acids work by reacting with the calcium carbonate and iron oxide present in the stains. The chemical reaction results in the formation of soluble salts, which can be easily rinsed away with water.

Dissolution of Calcium Deposits

Calcium deposits, primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), react with weak acids to form calcium salts that are soluble in water. The general reaction can be represented as follows:

CaCO3+2H+→Ca2++CO2+H2O

Here, H+ represents the hydrogen ions provided by the acid. The calcium ions (Ca2+) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are formed, which helps in the easy removal of the deposit.

Removal of Rust

Rust, which is primarily composed of iron oxides (Fe₂O₃), also reacts with weak acids to form soluble iron salts. The reaction can be simplified as:

Fe2O3+6H+→2Fe3++3H2O

In this process, iron ions (Fe3+) are produced along with water, making the rust easier to remove without causing damage to the underlying metal or surrounding materials..[ citation needed ]

Maker

CLR is made by Jelmar LLC, an American company located in Skokie, Illinois. The company was founded in 1967 by Manny Gutterman. As of 2019, the company was still owned and operated by Gutterman's family. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calcium</span> Chemical element, symbol Ca and atomic number 20

Calcium is a chemical element; it has symbol Ca and atomic number 20. As an alkaline earth metal, calcium is a reactive metal that forms a dark oxide-nitride layer when exposed to air. Its physical and chemical properties are most similar to its heavier homologues strontium and barium. It is the fifth most abundant element in Earth's crust, and the third most abundant metal, after iron and aluminium. The most common calcium compound on Earth is calcium carbonate, found in limestone and the fossilised remnants of early sea life; gypsum, anhydrite, fluorite, and apatite are also sources of calcium. The name derives from Latin calx "lime", which was obtained from heating limestone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carbonate</span> Salt or ester of carbonic acid

A carbonate is a salt of carbonic acid, H2CO3, characterized by the presence of the carbonate ion, a polyatomic ion with the formula CO2−3. The word "carbonate" may also refer to a carbonate ester, an organic compound containing the carbonate groupO=C(−O−)2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calcium carbonate</span> Chemical compound

Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CaCO3. It is a common substance found in rocks as the minerals calcite and aragonite, most notably in chalk and limestone, eggshells, gastropod shells, shellfish skeletons and pearls. Materials containing much calcium carbonate or resembling it are described as calcareous. Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient in agricultural lime and is produced when calcium ions in hard water react with carbonate ions to form limescale. It has medical use as a calcium supplement or as an antacid, but excessive consumption can be hazardous and cause hypercalcemia and digestive issues.

An organic acid is an organic compound with acidic properties. The most common organic acids are the carboxylic acids, whose acidity is associated with their carboxyl group –COOH. Sulfonic acids, containing the group –SO2OH, are relatively stronger acids. Alcohols, with –OH, can act as acids but they are usually very weak. The relative stability of the conjugate base of the acid determines its acidity. Other groups can also confer acidity, usually weakly: the thiol group –SH, the enol group, and the phenol group. In biological systems, organic compounds containing these groups are generally referred to as organic acids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Base (chemistry)</span> Type of chemical substance

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calcium hydroxide</span> Inorganic compound of formula Ca(OH)2

Calcium hydroxide (traditionally called slaked lime) is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Ca(OH)2. It is a colorless crystal or white powder and is produced when quicklime (calcium oxide) is mixed with water. It has many names including hydrated lime, caustic lime, builders' lime, slaked lime, cal, and pickling lime. Calcium hydroxide is used in many applications, including food preparation, where it has been identified as E number E526. Limewater, also called milk of lime, is the common name for a saturated solution of calcium hydroxide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flux (metallurgy)</span> Chemical used in metallurgy for cleaning or purifying molten metal

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oxalic acid</span> Simplest dicarboxylic acid

Oxalic acid is an organic acid with the systematic name ethanedioic acid and chemical formula HO−C(=O)−C(=O)−OH, also written as (COOH)2 or (CO2H)2 or H2C2O4. It is the simplest dicarboxylic acid. It is a white crystalline solid that forms a colorless solution in water. Its name comes from the fact that early investigators isolated oxalic acid from flowering plants of the genus Oxalis, commonly known as wood-sorrels. It occurs naturally in many foods. Excessive ingestion of oxalic acid or prolonged skin contact can be dangerous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gluconic acid</span> Chemical compound

Gluconic acid is an organic compound with molecular formula C6H12O7 and condensed structural formula HOCH2(CHOH)4CO2H. A white solid, it forms the gluconate anion in neutral aqueous solution. The salts of gluconic acid are known as "gluconates". Gluconic acid, gluconate salts, and gluconate esters occur widely in nature because such species arise from the oxidation of glucose. Some drugs are injected in the form of gluconates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Water softening</span> Removing positive ions from hard water

Water softening is the removal of calcium, magnesium, and certain other metal cations in hard water. The resulting soft water requires less soap for the same cleaning effort, as soap is not wasted bonding with calcium ions. Soft water also extends the lifetime of plumbing by reducing or eliminating scale build-up in pipes and fittings. Water softening is usually achieved using lime softening or ion-exchange resins, but is increasingly being accomplished using nanofiltration or reverse osmosis membranes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sulfamic acid</span> Chemical compound

Sulfamic acid, also known as amidosulfonic acid, amidosulfuric acid, aminosulfonic acid, sulphamic acid and sulfamidic acid, is a molecular compound with the formula H3NSO3. This colourless, water-soluble compound finds many applications. Sulfamic acid melts at 205 °C before decomposing at higher temperatures to water, sulfur trioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen.

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Calcium sulfide is the chemical compound with the formula CaS. This white material crystallizes in cubes like rock salt. CaS has been studied as a component in a process that would recycle gypsum, a product of flue-gas desulfurization. Like many salts containing sulfide ions, CaS typically has an odour of H2S, which results from small amount of this gas formed by hydrolysis of the salt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calcium lactate</span> Chemical compound

Calcium lactate is a white crystalline salt with formula C
6
H
10
CaO
6
, consisting of two lactate anions H
3
C
(CHOH)CO
2
for each calcium cation Ca2+
. It forms several hydrates, the most common being the pentahydrate C
6
H
10
CaO
6
·5H
2
O
.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hexafluorosilicic acid</span> Octahedric silicon compound

Hexafluorosilicic acid is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula H
2
SiF
6
. Aqueous solutions of hexafluorosilicic acid consist of salts of the cation and hexafluorosilicate anion. These salts and their aqueous solutions are colorless.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleaning agent</span> Substance used to remove dirt or other contaminants

Cleaning agents or hard-surface cleaners are substances used to remove dirt, including dust, stains, foul odors, and clutter on surfaces. Purposes of cleaning agents include health, beauty, removing offensive odor, and avoiding the spread of dirt and contaminants to oneself and others. Some cleaning agents can kill bacteria and clean at the same time. Others, called degreasers, contain organic solvents to help dissolve oils and fats.

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Stain removal is the process of removing a mark or spot left by one substance on a specific surface like a fabric. A solvent or detergent is generally used to conduct stain removal and many of these are available over the counter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Descaling agent</span> Substance used to remove limescale from surfaces

A descaling agent or chemical descaler is a liquid chemical substance used to remove limescale from metal surfaces in contact with hot water, such as in boilers, water heaters, and kettles. Limescale is either white or brown in colour due to the presence of iron compounds. Glass surfaces may also exhibit scaling stains, as can many ceramic surfaces present in bathrooms and kitchen, and descaling agents can be used safely to remove those stains without affecting the substrate since both ceramics and glass are unreactive to most acids.

Rust converters are chemical solutions or primers that can be applied directly to an iron or iron alloy surface to convert iron oxides (rust) into a protective chemical barrier. These compounds interact with iron oxides, especially iron(III) oxide, converting them into an adherent black layer that is more resistant to moisture and protects the surface from further corrosion. They are sometimes referred to as "rust remover" or "rust killer".

References

  1. Goldberg, F.J. (February 1, 2003). "C L R - CALCIUM LIME & RUST REMOVER MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET" (PDF). Bemidji State University . Archived from the original (PDF) on February 4, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018. This product contains the following toxic chemicals subject to the reporting requirements of Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right To Know Act of 1986, as amended, and of 40 CFR 372 (for SARA 313)
  2. Gaudreault, R.A. (March 1, 2017). "CLR PRO® CALCIUM, LIME & RUST REMOVER SAFETY DATA SHEET" (PDF). CLR brands - Jelmar. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018. SECTION 3 - COMPOSITION /INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
  3. "Jelmar - Material Safety Data Sheet - CLR Calcium Lime & Rust Remover - Enhanced formula - DfE" (PDF). Jelmar LLC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2017.
  4. April Hall (November 2019). "Family cleaning brand remains untarnished". Family Business Magazine. Retrieved 2 August 2023.