Vinegar to Remove Hard Water Stains - Dishwasher Tips

We have very hard water in these parts, which means that every time we use the dishwasher it seems to leave a filmy mess behind. This is particularly true when using the dishwasher to wash anything glass - drinking glasses, glass bowls, glass dinnerware, etc.





I have two tips to share with you on how to remove (or prevent) hard water build up from occuring on your dishes that are washed in the dishwasher:

1. Add a generous glug of vinegar (plain old white distilled vinegar works just fine) to the dishwasher cycle once the water is beginning to fill in the appliance. I've found that doing this every time I run the dishwasher makes for a huge improvement in removing the hard water stains and build up.




2. When you notice that certain dishes are getting very bad - almost etched looking, or entirely filmy in appearance - then it's time to (gasp!) get out your dishcloth and wash those dishes by hand. You'll only need to do this once in a while, but again - add a very generous amount of vinegar to the dishwashing water, along with a good squirt of liquid dish soap. The vinegar seems to nearly eat away at the worst of the hard water stains left behind. Let air dry, or dry with a clean lint free towel. (I love linen towels for drying dishes, or else flour sack towels which are nearly as good.)

If the dishes are in fact etched, there's nothing you can do to remove the etchings - since that's actually tiny little scratches imbedded in the glass. But, if you have hard water and find that getting your glasses sparkling clean is a real chore, then try the vinegar tricks listed above and I think you'll see a big difference.

Post a comment with YOUR fave vinegar cleaning tip, or any tips you just have a hankering to share with the rest of us Happy Slobs.

Stain Removal Tips, Cleaning the Coffeemaker, and Getting Started Again

No Hassle Housecleaning Newsletter

for November 24, 2010

Removing hassle from your housecleaning, a tip at a time...Glad to have you visiting. Don't be shy now - feel free to post a comment about anything you read here on the blog or my site at http://www.happyslob.com/.

Stain Removal 101

• Discover three simple ways to remove stubborn tea stains from your favorite cups and mugs: Removing Tea Stains from Mugs and Cups
• Another tricky stain to overcome is the dreaded lipstick stain! But you can handle it now...don't panic, whatever you do.

For Coffee Lovers

• Clean out that old coffeepot with these tips: Clean out the Coffeemaker. It'll make every cup taste fresher and more delicious, and that's what most of us want from a coffeemaker!

Oh Yes, it's Vinegar! Or...Do I Smell Pickles?

I could never deny my love of good old-fashioned white vinegar for cleaning around the home. It's cheap, it's effective and it smells like pickles! (Okay, maybe it's only me who sees that as a benefit...) Here are a few favorite ways to use this handy stuff around the home:

1. To clean out a gunky, piddly showerhead
2. To remove unpleasant odors from the air in your home (check out tip #4)
3. Plus, 6 more ways to use vinegar to clean around the home, including to freshen the dishwasher, freshen musty old bread boxes, and removing pet odors from carpets. See, I told you this stuff was amazing...

Handy Posts to Get You Started...Or RE-Started

Fallen a bit off track with your No-Hassle Housecleaning plan? No sweat! Here's a post to reinvigorate your best efforts all over again. Take a big breath and just do a little cleaning today, and a little tomorrow and you'll amaze yourself with the culmination of your just getting up and trying.

• The 3-Step Solution to Cleaning is at the very heart of No-Hassle Housecleaning, and it's also the best place to start today. Smile while you work, it won't hurt a bit.