Calcium Lime Rust

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. It is made by American company Jelmar LLC.

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^[update], the company was still owned and operated by Gutterman's family.^[4]

References

^ 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)
^ 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
^ "Jelmar - Material Safety Data Sheet - CLR Calcium Lime & Rust Remover - Enhanced formula - DfE" (PDF). Jelmar LLC. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 21, 2017.
^ Hall, April (November 2019). "Family cleaning brand remains untarnished". Family Business Magazine. Retrieved August 2, 2023.

External links

[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 August 21, 2017.

[4] Hall, April (November 2019). "Family cleaning brand remains untarnished". Family Business Magazine. Retrieved August 2, 2023.

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