What Are The Best Ways To Remove Limescale, And Stop Limescale Build Up From Occurring Again?

Removing limescale build-up can leave taps, kettles and other household appliances gleaming. But what are the best ways to remove limescale, and stop limescale build up from occurring again? Expensive limescale removers from the supermarket will often remove limescale but many items that around the house will also do the job.

Taps

Vinegar is highly acidic and can be used for stubborn deposits of limescale build-up. The most effective way of doing this to take a small plastic cup and fill it to the brim with vinegar, preferably pickling vinegar as this is the most acidic. By immersing the tap in the cup of vinegar and wrapping a small towel around both the cup and tap to hold it in place, an individual can effectively remove limescale from the main part of the tap. Soaking a piece of cotton wool in vinegar and wrapping it around the affected parts can remove limescale around the posts of the tap.

The vinegar acts as a descaling liquid and by leaving the cotton wool for an hour or two should thoroughly clean around the tap. Using a plastic scourer to scrub any remaining limescale after the cotton wool has been removed is also advisable. Lemon juice can also be used to clear limescale by cutting a lemon in half and squeezing it into a small bowl. A lemon half can clean the spout of the tap by gently twisting it around the tap for several minutes. These are some of the best limescale removers for taps.

Kettle

Limescale can be removed from a kettle by filling it to a quarter with vinegar or lemon juice and leaving it for half an hour. The descaling process is much more simple when cleaning a kettle as it is already a liquid container. Fill the rest of the kettle up with water and boil it, pouring the water away before it cools completely. To prevent any traces of vinegar or lemon juice, rinse out the kettle with cold water several times. This process can also be used on coffee makers.

Washing machines

Vinegar and lemon juice can remove limescale by placing either liquid into the machine instead of laundry detergent and then run a normal washing cycle.

Shower

Filling up a cup with vinegar or lemon juice and immersing the shower head into the cup whilst being held with a tea towel can be an effective way to remove limescale. Leaving the shower head in the cup for an hour or two and then wiping any remainders of lemon or vinegar with a clean towel is a more cost-effective way of getting rid of limescale than purchasing a limescale remover from the shops. To clean the shower screen, use a chopped lemon half and clean the screen gently before rinsing with water from the shower will usually do the trick.

Preventing further limescale build-up

The installation of a water softener is the best method to keep further limescale build-up at bay. The softener will neutralise the harsh chemicals found in the water stream which cause limescale. They can be purchased from many home ware shops for a relatively inexpensive price.