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Limescale is usually formed when hard water comes into contact with heating elements or metal surfaces. Salts dissolved in the liquid stick to the walls and crystallize on them. And to wash off limescale, you need to dissolve it with any acid – vinegar, lemon, or even some types of carbonated drinks.
In this article we will talk about how to wash limescale.
Lime scale removers
Limescale can be removed mainly by acidic solvents. It can be vinegar (table or essence), lemon and citric acid, phosphoric acid from carbonated drinks like Coca-Cola or Sprite. But if the plaque has eaten in and stained, and this often happens when in contact with various organic liquids, additional “artillery” in the form of ammonia or chlorine-based bleach will also be required.
Be sure to wear rubber protective gloves when handling acidic or caustic bleaches. It also does not hurt to wear a respirator to avoid inflammation of the mucous tissues of the oral cavity and respiratory system.
How to wash limescale from plumbing
If you want to wash limescale from the tubes and nodal connections of the shower and sink, then even special tools are not required. It is enough to pour them with really hot water – its temperature should be at least 90 degrees, that is, we are talking about almost boiling water.
Pour boiling water over all pipes and threaded connections, and then wipe them with a sponge or microfiber cloth. The plaque will move away at the slightest movement.
If this method does not help, prepare a vinegar solution:
Mix white table vinegar and warm water in a 1:1 ratio;
Apply this solution to pipes, nodal and threaded connections. You can use a spray bottle moistened with a mixture of sponge or napkin;
Leave for 20-30 minutes;
Rinse off the solution and wipe the treated areas with a rag or napkin.
In order to get rid of yellow plaque on the walls of the toilet or sink, you need pure vinegar:
Pour vinegar over yellow stains;
Leave overnight, after covering the toilet lid or tightening the sink with a film;
In the morning, clean the yellowed places with a stiff brush or brush;
Rinse plumbing.
For old yellow spots, you can use vinegar essence (70%). The principle of operation is exactly the same – fill in the places of raid, leave overnight, clean and rinse in the morning.
Vinegar is also required to remove white limescale from sinks:
Soak a soft cloth or tissue paper in the vinegar. The ideal solution would be a microfiber product;
Put a napkin on the plaque stain;
Leave for 20-30 minutes;
Remove the napkin and wipe the plaque with a sponge;
Rinse your sink thoroughly.
The stubborn light yellow coating that appears on the surface of plumbing can be washed off with chlorine-based bleach:
Mix chlorine-based bleach (“Whiteness”) with water in a 1:1 ratio;
Apply the mixture to the surface of the plaque. This can be done with a spray bottle, sponge, napkin or brush;
Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Much longer “keep” is not required, because chlorine bleach can damage the surface of plumbing, especially made of polymer or composite materials;
Rinse off with a sponge dampened in clean water.
When working with acrylic plumbing, extra care should be taken. This material is sensitive to acids, alkalis and chlorine bleaches. Therefore, it is recommended to act quickly.
To remove limescale from an acrylic bathtub or sink, you will need a spray gun and some free time:
Prepare a solution of table vinegar in water in a ratio of 1: 2;
Spray the solution on the stain and leave for 2-3 minutes;
Rinse with running water and repeat the procedure;
Try not to rub the acrylic bath – due to micro-scratches, it can lose its luster, and fungi and bacteria will develop in the damage. Use soft sponges or cloths made from materials such as viscose and microfiber;
Repeat steps 1-3 until limescale has been eliminated.
If the coating on the acrylic bath has an unpleasant yellowish tint, it is advisable to add a little hydrogen peroxide to the mixture. It should be added 3 times less than vinegar. For example:
1 a glass of vinegar;
1/3 cup hydrogen peroxide;
2 a glass of water.
It is impossible to use ammonia and vinegar essence in this case. But you can – citric acid. It replaces vinegar at the rate – 1 cup of vinegar is equal to 50 grams of citric acid.
If possible, use special products for cleaning acrylic sanitary ware. For example, spray “Acrilan”. It destroys lime and soap deposits, removes rust, but does not damage the surface of the polymer. Moreover, some products for acrylic sanitary ware create a special protective layer on it, which helps prevent contamination. True, it does not last long, so you need to use this household chemicals regularly – at least 1-2 times a week.
How to wash complex and stubborn limescale
If limescale has been formed for many years, then even vinegar may not be able to cope with it. In this case, it is better to use soda and laundry soap:
Grate half a bar of laundry soap on a fine grater. It is recommended to use products with 72% fat or more;
Dilute the soap in a small amount of warm water to the state of a gel or liquid sour cream;
Add 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda to the mixture and mix thoroughly;
Apply the paste to the surface. You can use a regular sponge;
Leave for an hour;
Rinse off the product together with the limescale with plenty of water.
If after that limescale still remains, then you can use vinegar from one of the above methods (just apply, soak a rag and put it, prepare a mixture with hydrogen peroxide).
How to wash limescale from glass and chrome parts
Glass and chrome fixtures can be washed with vinegar or citric acid. But after that, it is desirable to further process it in order to obtain – without exaggeration – a radiant result.
Wash plumbing with vinegar solution;
Prepare a solution of ammonia. For 100 ml of water – 10 ml of ammonia;
Wash the plumbing with this solution.
After such treatment, the remains of lime and soap deposits will be finally removed from the surface of glass and chrome. And the materials themselves will begin to shine, as on the first day after installation. The method is suitable for washing shower doors made of tempered or organic glass, chrome faucets and watering cans.
How to wash limescale from plastic or vinyl chloride
Plastic or PVC pipes, fittings and interior items should not be treated with vinegar, ammonia, or citric acid. It is better to use another proven method – carbonated drinks.
You will need carbonated drinks that contain phosphoric acid. It could be Coca-Cola, Sprite or 7Up. It’s better to use the last two as they don’t have color. Only original drinks will do, because some “Bell” or “Bel-Cola” do not contain phosphoric acid.
Dampen a rag or napkin in a carbonated drink;
Apply to pipe or panel surface;
Leave for 2-3 hours. If necessary, add a carbonated drink;
Remove the cloth and thoroughly rinse off any remaining limescale deposits.
After this treatment, their attractive appearance will return to the surfaces.
How to remove limescale from a shower head
Most modern shower heads have a metal-plastic construction. The outer part is made of chromed steel or aluminum. The inner one is made of plastic. And so you need to use methods that do not harm the polymer material.
Type a carbonated drink (Coca-Cola, Sprite, 7Up) into a basin or bucket;
Immerse the watering can in it entirely;
Leave for 1-2 hours;
Remove the watering can and rinse it thoroughly by simply opening the water for a while.
The chrome part can then be wiped with vinegar or, for a brighter shine, ammonia.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.