As you can tell from all the helpful replies, that "crusty" material in your water bowls is the result of a buildup of the minerals dissolved in your water, chiefly calcium and magnesium. Any acid would get rid of them; you've found the cheapest and most easily purchased - vinegar. Distilled household vinegar costs between one and two dollars for a gallon, which will clean an awful lot of water bowls.

Here's another suggestion, and I hope you take this in the friendly way it's offered. If you cleaned your water bowls more frequently, then the calcium deposits wouldn't have a chance to build up. I'm just saying...

Also, some people use disposable deli cups and just replace them when necessary.

[ Hide Replies ]

• ...that crust in the water bowl - amarilrose, Wed Nov 15 20:41:39 2006
• RE: ...that crust in the water bowl - blowitch, Wed Nov 15 21:30:39 2006
• RE: not the tap - amarilrose, Wed Nov 15 21:37:29 2006
• RE: not the tap - hoot, Wed Nov 15 23:23:39 2006
• Oh but it IS your tap - Aviansinoil, Wed Nov 15 23:27:16 2006
• Calcium phosphate - rwoodyer, Thu Nov 16 00:20:06 2006
• RE: Calcium phosphate - morphed, Thu Nov 16 07:44:38 2006
• RE: Calcium phosphate - jyohe, Thu Nov 16 16:31:15 2006
• RE: Calcium phosphate - morphed, Fri Nov 17 07:52:14 2006
• Distilled water............ - Brandon Osborne, Thu Nov 16 10:35:39 2006
• Use Lime-Away.......n/p - spenden, Thu Nov 16 09:20:33 2006
• RE: ...that crust in the water bowl - Melinda666, Thu Nov 16 14:50:22 2006
• RE: ...that crust in the water bowl - jfmoore, Thu Nov 16 18:03:25 2006