How can I remove hard water deposits from my Erlenmeyer flask?

[TAK]

How can I remove hard water deposits from my Erlenmeyer flask?

For anything else, I'd jump straight to the bottle of CLR. Not sure that's a great idea for my flask though. Vinegar maybe?

 

[Btaz]

Try vinegar with some baking soda

 

[z-bob]

Muriatic acid (sp?) or citric acid or oxalic acid or vinegar. Vinegar will be the slowest.

Barkeeper's Friend does a good job, but you might not want to use an abrasive.

 

[November]

Citric acid. Easier and safer than most alternatives.

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

first use a brush, then a number of things will work, oxiclean, vinegar, even dawn as long as its rinsed well but you need the brush to scrub the inner walls, you can buy one at your local home brew shop

 

[TAK]

Citric acid comes in a powder form, right? Should I just mix some with hot water to fill the flask, let it sit, and scrub?

 

[FourSeasonAngler]

I buy 10 cent packets of lemon Kool-Aid to clean hard-water stains. The inside of my dishwasher, kitchen sink, faucets, etc. The packets are about the right size for every single use project I've come across and the lemon scent is a nice "smells clean" touch.

 

[passedpawn]

Citric acid comes in a powder form, right? Should I just mix some with hot water to fill the flask, let it sit, and scrub?

Yes, powder. I have the Now brand citric acid. I get it from a natural foods store locally. I don't think GNC stocks it.

Barkeepers Friend is oxalic acid and will probably clean it off. Get the powdered version from Home Depot or similar. I use it to clean my glasstop stove.

Home depot (and pool stores) also carries muriatic acid in the pool dept. Be careful with that stuff, but it certainly will clean it. I've used it to clean painted labels off bottles. Have some fresh water nearby to rinse if you get any on yourself.

 

[kevink]

My Indian grocery store stocks citric acid. Just another option...

 

[November]

Citric acid comes in a powder form, right? Should I just mix some with hot water to fill the flask, let it sit, and scrub?

Yup hot water and a bit of citric.

I buy citric 10 or 15 pounds at a time from Dudadiesel. It has a lot of uses around the house. Especially if you have hard water.

 

[moshmont]

Believe it or not..........WD40 takes it right off!
:rockin:

 

[Redcat]

Lemishine - citric acid hard water spot remover.

At Amazon

Cheaper at Walmart or a local grocery store if they have it. It will be by the dishwasher detergent sections.