Top Tips for Tackling limescale

Introduction

If you have unsightly marks on your shower and your kettle is furry rather than shiny, you have limescale. With our top tips and anti-limecale products we can make your appliances work properly and save you money at the same time.

What is Limescale?

Limescale, which is largely made up of Calcium Carbonate, is responsible for the build up of the milky-white deposit you see on showerheads, taps, glass shower doors, kettles, irons – in fact most water-using appliances throughout your home. And 60% of British homes suffer from it

Why should I tackle limescale?

Limescale affects 60% of homes in Britain. Build up of limescale within washing machines and dishwashers can make your machine run less efficiently. In a kettle, limescale stops the heating element working as well as it should and can even damage it over time. Plus limescale is unsightly to look at, especially when it affects once shiny chrome appliances.

Limescale occurs in areas where water is naturally hard, as in 60% of the UK and most other countries, as it contains dissolved calcium and other minerals. Research has shown that just 6mm of limescale can reduce energy efficiency by a staggering 40% and, in a moderately hard water area, 6 mm of limescale can form in pipework or on heat exchangers in just two years. This result is that appliances affected by limescale have to work harder, using more water and energy to get the job done.

Top Tips to Get Rid of Limescale

The home made way

Limescale is easily dissolved in a range of mild acids. You can buy brand-name limescale removers, however two of the most effective substances for getting rid of limescale are lemon juice and ordinary vinegar.

Limescale in washing machines and dishwashers

Both vinegar and lemon juice will do a great job of removing any limescale deposits and freshening up your machines’ innards at the same time. Simply use a large cup of either liquid in place of your usual detergent and run a normal washing cycle in an empty washing machine. For your dishwasher, pour the liquid into the base of the empty machine and run a cycle. The limescale should just dissolve away.

Limescale in kettles

Quarter fill the kettle with vinegar or lemon juice and leave for an hour. Then top up the kettle with water and boil. Pour away the boiled water before it cools and then rinse with several changes of cold water. That should do the job to get rid of limescale deposits.

Limescale covered taps

This is a little bit more fiddly as taps aren’t easily immersed in liquid. Try filling a small plastic container with vinegar, slide it over the end of the tap and use a tea-towel to hold it in place. Soak cotton wool in vinegar and wrap it around the rest of the tap, secured by a tea towel. For stubborn limescale deposits try rubbing the vinegar-soaked cotton wool or a wedge of lemon on the tap.

Preventing Limescale

We have a range of limescale-busting products which can prevent the build up of limescale.

Mira Everclear Showerhead range – whether handheld or fixed, these showerheads are designed to prevent the build-up of limescale by using a specially designed plate. This plate retracts when the water flow stops allowing small pins to be pushed through the spray plate. This action pushes any limescale to the surface which can then be easily wiped away.

Eddy Limescale Removal system – tackle the limescale problem at source. This clever box uses a powerful electromagnetic field applied through two coils of wire to your incoming water pipe. It’s easy to set up and you’ll never know it’s working. Comes with a 12-month money back guarantee.

Ecozone range of limescale-removing products – including Magno balls, Toilet Smell Killer, Magnoloo, Washing Machine and Dishwasher Descaler ,and Kettle and Iron Descaler – all eco-friendly products to prevent and descale your appliances to help them work more efficiently.