CLR Calcium Lime Rust Remover, Enhanced Formula, 28 fl oz (828 ml)

Product Information

Chelating Agent: CAS #526-95-4. This ingredient is an acid formed from the sugar glucose, which naturally occurs in fruit, honey and wine. It is a chelating agent; a compound that makes metals more soluble in water. As part of the EPA Safer Choice Program, it has been evaluated and determined to be safer than traditional chemical ingredients.

Industrial strength rust removers are highly effective and dissolve even stubborn rust and large sections of debris. These tend to be harsher chemicals, and you may need a protective barrier, such as rubber glovesor a mask, when using them. Milder chemicals are gentler on surfaces, skin, and plumbing. If you have a septic system, this may be a big factor. These are not formulated to handle heavy-duty jobs, however, and you might need multiple applications to get the same results. In very broad terms, household rust removers are designed to work in one or two simple applications. They can be divided into products that are intended exclusively for metal and products with a wider range of applications such as vinyl, ceramic tile, fiberglass, and even carpet and fabrics. We sought out the best representatives for both these categories. How we tested Less powerful rust removers might also require caution, and the use of gloves and goggles is often recommended. It may also be advisable to work in a well-ventilated area. Evapo-Rust – Super Safe Rust Remover is touted as an “amazing rust eliminator,” but it was just an average performer in our group, working best on our rusted weeding tool. It works best on items that can soak for the recommended one-to-twelve hours. On the plus side, Evapo-Rust is non-toxic, biodegradable, and does not contain any acids. Star brite – Rust Stain Remover One thing to look out for with rust products is the manufacturer’s recommended uses. The word “rust” tends to be applied to a broad range of surfaces besides metal, including some surprising materials like fabric. We appreciated CLR – Calcium Lime Rust Remover quite a bit, as it comes in liquid form and can be diluted to the appropriate strength as required by the job.California Non-Cancer Hazards. https://oehha.ca.gov/air/general-info/oehha-acute-8-hour-and-chronic-reference-exposure-level-rel-summary It does not contain oxalic acid or other harsh chemicals, and we found it to have a pleasant citrus odor. While designing the CLR, manufacturers made sure that the ingredients nullified each other’s toxic effects, thus making the final product non-toxic to humans. They also drew the chemicals from vegetables, instead of sourcing some from phosphates, bleach, or ammonia.

Chelating rust removers typically require you to soak your rusted gear in a liquid solution for anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours, which gives the agent plenty of time to bind to the rust. There are also gel-based chelating removers, which are helpful for spot-treating rusty areas on toilets, patios, and other surfaces you can’t soak in a tub. Stable rust: Occurs over long periods of time and tends to be uniform in appearance. In certain cases, like uncoated steel building panels, stable rust is considered to be a desirable aesthetic effect. CLR – Calcium Lime Rust Remover is Intended for rust stains on metal, concrete and other household surfaces. Dilutent: CAS #7732-18-5. Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a water treatment process that removes contaminants from water by passing the water through a membrane, (filter), where contaminants are filtered out yielding more pure quality water. Lastly, petroleum-based solvents such as WD-40 penetrate through the rust and loosen it from the surface of the metal, allowing you to wipe it off. As an added benefit, they leave behind a film that helps to prevent rust from returning.Where possible, we tried to select environmentally friendly products that are as safe to use as possible, though in some cases, we had to step outside those boundaries. What we have done is make a representative selection across the market and have included relevant information so buyers can use their own judgment. Rust converters transform rust into a primed, paintable surface, rather than wiping it away, which protects weathered metal from getting rusty again. Converters are typically reserved for treating broad areas that you plan to paint over, such as a trailer, metal fencing, or a vehicle. Since rust converters can simply be applied without having to rinse or wipe off the rust afterwards, it’s usually the ideal solution for covering a large surface area. Since they’re frequently available in spray bottles or aerosol cans, they can also be more useful for applying to hard-to-reach areas that you can’t access by hand. Solvent: CAS #55934-93-5. Used to slow down the evaporation of many liquid products including oven cleaners and inks for ball-point and felt-tip pens. It is very effective at absorbing organic material. Rust removers aren’t good for delicates like wool or silk, but for most other surfaces, you’ll find your solution below. Types of Rust Removers

We spent several days on research before arriving at the selections above. It was important to understand the variety of products available and how the different kinds of rust remover work. Rust is the common name for iron oxide, the combination of iron and oxygen expressed as chemical compound Fe2O3. The process of how rust works involves an electrochemical reaction involving an anode, cathode, and electrolyte. For those of you who skipped chemistry class, the first two are pieces of metal that give and receive electrons, and the last element is a liquid that helps the electrons move. Chelating Agent: CAS #79-33-4. Lactic acid is found in many yogurts and cheeses. It is also produced in the muscles during intense activity. Commercially, it is produced by fermentation of simple sugars. In cleaning products it functions as a chelating agent; a compound that makes metals more soluble in water. Liquid rust removers are common and often very economical. Depending on type they can be brushed or wiped on with a rag or used with a spray bottle. Other liquid rust removers are intended as a soak. Simply find an appropriate container, fill it, and immerse the item to be cleaned. This requires little or no effort, but the cleaning process can take longer. Petroleum-based solvents are found in products like WD-40. While not as corrosive or toxic as acids, these products often use pressurized gases for dispersal. Note that pressurized gases are flammable and may have respiratory risks. You can expect to wait up to 24 hours for these products to take full effect. Chelating Agents

Odor: Most of the products we tested had a fairly mild odor or no odor at all. If you are sensitive to odors, it is advisable to wear a respirator and safety glasses when applying rust removers. Since the products we tested were selected in part for being relatively environmental-friendly and nontoxic, none of the manufacturers recommended wearing a respirator during application.