Removing Limescale

How to remove Limescale

Limescale is a hard chalky white substance that consists of calcium carbonate deposited by water which is a result of hard water. Hard water contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium, when this water evaporates it deposits calcium carbonate. Limescale then builds up on surfaces that water is in contact with and can accumulate very rapidly. Limescale build up can be found on most common household items such as sinks, taps, kettles and even coffee makers and can leave them looking grey and dull. Over time the build-up can cause extensive damage to these appliances and make them less energy efficient. Limescale can even clog up hot water pipes and boilers and is very unsightly to look at.  
At Lime Kitchen and Bathroom we’ve got a few cost effective and easy methods to get rid of pesky limescale - that will give a new lease of life to your household appliances.

Taps

Simply soak a tea towel or paper towel in vinegar and wrap around your tap, securing it with a rubberband. Keep the tap wrapped for at least an hour before wiping the tap clean with a soft cloth. You may need to use a plastic scourer for stubborn areas of limescale. An effective method for cleaning the spout is to cut a lemon in half and push on to the spout whilst gently twisting it to keep it in its place. Leave this again for an hour or so for it to work its magic. If limescale is still present, replace the lemon and leave for a longer period of time. You can also squeeze the other half of the lemon into a container to make a solution to use for the rest of the tap. Submerge cotton wool in the juice and use as a dressing as mentioned previously.     

Sinks

Create a solution with either lemon or vinegar and spray on to your surface. Leave this sitting for roughly 1 hour before cleaning with a soft cloth or sponge. If need be repeat this procedure until all limescale has vanished. The longer you leave the solution in contact with the surface, the more effective this will be.

Kettle

Fill your kettle up with an equal part solution of water and vinegar, let this soak for roughly half an hour and bring to boil. Leave overnight and rinse out in the morning. You can also use lemon juice, just remember to rinse thoroughly before you make your morning tea.  

Shower heads

Firstly remove your shower head and let it soak in vinegar for around 30 minutes. Check the holes where the water flows and clear any blockages with a paperclip or thin wire. For softened mineral deposits, scrub off with an old toothbrush. Finally rinse with hot water and repeat if necessary. If you are unable to remove your shower head, place a container filled with your solution around the showerhead securing it with a rubber band. Make sure the faceplate is completely submerged in the solution for maximum efficiency.   

Washing machines/ Dishwashers

Use a fairly large cup of either lemon or vinegar instead of your usual detergent. Then proceed to run a hot water wash cycle without clothes. This will remove any limescale and will leave the inside of your machine smelling fresh and will prolong the life of your machine.  With dishwashers, pour the liquid into the base of the machine as opposed to the detergent dispenser.   

Coffee maker

Fill the coffee maker with white vinegar and run it through once, followed by another two with clean water and this should rid your beloved coffee maker of any limescale. Another method which can be used involves filling with hot water and one denture cleaning tablet. Again run it through once and then again with clean water

Problem Limescale/Limescale Cleaning In Commercial Premises

The above methods are very effective in dealing with low level domestic limescale however, for more stubborn limescale and where professional hygiene standards are a required we have a number of powerful cleaning products:

General Descaling: Evershower Shower Cleaner     

Tap Cleaning & Polishing: Cramer Tap Cleaner