How to remove limescale

The content of the article

• Causes of calcareous deposits
• Popular descaling methods
• From the kettle
• From a washing machine or dishwasher
• With sink and bath
• With metal taps
• From the toilet
• From other surfaces
• Purchased limescale removers

With regular use of hard mineral-saturated water, white deposits may form on different surfaces. Limescale deeply eats into the material of products, has a very solid structure. To remove the sediment, apply folk remedies, special purchased compounds.

Causes of calcareous deposits

White growths are insoluble calcium carbonate. It forms in places with stagnant water, remains on the surface after evaporation of moisture, accumulates over time and turns into white crystals or scaly formations.

The main causes of calcareous deposits:

• Untimely flushing of water. Often, white growths appear on individual elements of plumbing and household appliances. On toilets and urinals, calcareous deposits form together with the urinary stone. It is problematic to clean such surfaces, sometimes even professional products do not help. Therefore, it is better to avoid the appearance of calcareous growths, conduct regular cleaning, cleaning surfaces, if necessary, debug the flush system.
• Hard or hot water. Plaque quickly forms in coffee makers, washing machines, dishwashers or electric kettles. To prevent this, the heating elements must be cleaned regularly, in addition to use means to soften the water.
• Damaged surface. Limescale appears when water accumulates in chips or cracks. Cleanse these places with products that penetrate deep into pollution..

Popular descaling methods

The most effective and safe substances are hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, citric acid and vinegar. Reacting with calcium carbonate, they form soluble salts, which are easily washed off with water. For new formations, you can use lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, for old growths – vinegar. Folk methods successfully help remove scale.

From the kettle

Recipe to wash plaque from water:

1. Pour the solution into the kettle. It will take 100 ml of vinegar per 1 liter of water.
2. Leave for 1 hour to allow fluid to reach hard to reach places..
3. Put the kettle on a slow fire, boil the solution for 20 minutes.
4. Remove from stove, leave overnight.
5. In the morning, drain the solution, clean the kettle with a sponge, boil water in it. Repeat the process as necessary to completely remove the smell of vinegar.

From a washing machine or dishwasher

Cleaning TEN with citric acid:

1. Mix equal parts of soda and water. In a dishwasher, use this product to clean the inner chamber. At the washing machine, wipe the centrifuge, the rubber seal.
2. Pour 200 g of citric acid into the detergent drawer..
3. Start the machine by selecting the longest operating mode at high temperature..
4. After finishing, wipe the internal elements with a dry cloth.
5. Repeat the process if necessary..

Removing water stone using vinegar:

1. Pour 200-500 ml of vinegar into the machine.
2. Run the longest running mode.
3. After 5 minutes, stop the machine.
4. After an hour, continue to work..
5. Wipe the internal elements dry at the end..

To remove plaque from the powder compartment and conditioner:

1. Remove tanks from the machine.
2. Prepare a solution of warm water and an alkaline dishwashing detergent, such as Nerta (add a few drops). Put containers in it, leave for an hour – this will make the coating softer, more pliable.
3. Rinse the compartments, apply ammonia or hydrogen peroxide to the surface.
4. After 5 minutes, rinse with water, remove the residue with a soft sponge.

With sink and bath

Folk remedies help remove lime deposits from the enameled surface:

1. Mix water with ammonia (1: 1) or add 1 tbsp. l citric acid per 100 ml of water. Spray or apply with a microfiber cloth.
2. After 5-10 minutes, rub the limescale on the sink or bath, rinse the walls.
3. Collect cold water to the top, drain it to wash away all the remnants of chemistry.

It is better to clean the acrylic surface with soft, liquid or creamy products, without ammonia, acetone and chlorine:

1. Fill a bath or sink with cold water..
2. Add 500 ml of vinegar (9%) or 200 g of citric acid.
3. After 10-12 hours, drain the water, clean and rinse the walls, wipe dry with a rag.

Cleaning acrylic with old dirt:

1. Prepare a cleaning product from equal parts of vinegar and salt.
2. Apply composition to problem areas.
3. After 15 minutes, clean the walls with a damp sponge or a soft cloth.
4. Wipe the surface dry.

With metal taps

Recipe to remove lime deposits:

1. Wet a rag or towel in vinegar (100 ml per liter of water), squeeze slightly.
2. Wrap the tap with a wet cloth, fix it with an elastic band, leave it for an hour or more (the exposure time depends on the degree of contamination).
3. Wipe the treated surface with a clean, dry cloth or cloth. For hard to reach places, use a cotton swab..

Liquid ammonia and soda help clean plumbing from limescale:

1. Mix the ingredients to make the slurry..
2. Surface tap.
3. After half an hour, rinse with cold water.
4. Wipe the surface dry.

To remove the water stone from the nozzle on the tap:

1. Make a small glass of vinegar.
2. Dip the nozzle into it. Wrap the faucet together with the glass with a cloth, fix it with an elastic band. Tighten firmly so that the nozzle is completely immersed in vinegar.
3. After an hour, remove the rag, remove the glass.
4. Wipe the nozzle with a dry cloth, remove any deposits.
5. Open the water for a few minutes to wash off the remaining vinegar.

From the toilet

A solution of vinegar and borax helps to remove limescale:

1. Remove all water from the toilet.
2. Mix 3 cups of vinegar with the same amount of borax.
3. Pour the composition into the toilet; contaminated areas must be completely immersed in the solution..
4. After 2-3 hours, brush the surface with a brush.
5. Flush to rinse off any residual deposits. Repeat the process if necessary..

From other surfaces

A recipe to help remove plaque from tile or ceramic tile:

1. Spray vinegar (6%) or a solution of 1 tbsp. l citric acid in a glass of water.
2. After 15 minutes, clean the tile with a soft brush.
3. Wash off any remaining solution with a damp cloth..
4. Wipe the tile dry.

To clean a mirror or glass:

1. Mix 50 ml of ammonia and 500 ml of water, pour into a spray bottle, spray on problem areas.
2. After half an hour, wipe the glass with a damp microfiber or cotton cloth, then with a dry cloth.

How to remove water stone from plastic:

1. Wipe the surface with ammonia or hydrogen peroxide..
2. Rinse off with cool water. Do not leave the composition on the surface for more than 5 minutes, otherwise it will ruin the coating.

Purchased limescale removers

• “Lenis” – liquid for internal and external cleaning of equipment, pipes of any metals. The product contains substances that stop corrosion, helps clean limescale, scale, rust and mineral deposits. Before use, dilute the concentrate with water (1: 1 or 1: 2 – the amount depends on the degree of contamination). For maximum effect, heat the fluid to 60 degrees. Spray or apply with a sponge, rinse with water after 20-40 minutes.
• Mr. Muscle “Expert Plaque Cleaner”. The tool helps to remove limescale in the bathroom, in the kitchen. The liquid copes with rust, soap deposits and stubborn dirt. The tool is used to clean brass, glass and ceramics, stainless steel, porcelain or plastic. Application: apply liquid to contamination, after 2–5 minutes rub with a sponge, rinse with water.
• “Cinderella. Anti-scale ». This is a remedy against limescale in washing machines, dishwashers, kettles and other household appliances. The liquid does not damage rubber and plastic elements. Removal technology varies by device type. The scale leaves in 30–40 minutes. Perform this treatment once every six months..