Removing Lime Seepage on Rocks

Vinegar

• Wet a washcloth with a bit of white vinegar and rub the rock to remove the lime seepage. If the lime seepage doesn’t come off the rocks right away, let the rock soak in a dish that’s filled with vinegar. After 30 minutes, use a rough cloth to scrub the rock clean. Vinegar is an excellent cleaner that’s cheap, easy to find and not harmful to people. Alternatively, you can use lemon juice instead of vinegar or a combination of both lemon juice and vinegar.

Hydrochloric Acid

• Hydrochloric acid can be used to remove lime seepage, but this acid needs to be used with caution. If the hydrochloric acid isn’t diluted as much as it should be, it could do damage to the rocks. Purchase a 28 percent hydrochloric acid solution. Dilute it at a 5-to-1 ratio. Use a stiff bristle scrub brush to clean the rocks of the lime seepage. Do not get the mixture in your eyes, and wear protective gloves when working with hydrochloric acid.

Chipping Away Seepage

• Lime seepage may eventually harden, which means that you’ll need to chip at it to get rid of the raised portion. If you don’t want to damage the rock underneath the seepage, use something soft, like a credit card. If you don’t care about hitting the rock underneath, you can use something more abrasive, like a screwdriver or a razor.

Fish Tanks

• Rock gardens aren’t the only places affected by lime seepage. The rocks that form the base of an aquarium also may get coated with lime seepage. Lime seepage should be cleaned on a monthly basis to keep your fish healthy. Avoid using acids or commercial cleaners, which could harm your fish. Instead, soak the rocks in white vinegar for up to four hours, or until the lime breaks down. If there’s still lime seepage on the rocks after you’ve scrubbed them, make a paste from salt and a bit of vinegar, apply it to the rocks and let it set for an hour before rinsing.