11 best methods to remove and clean limescale
Order in the kitchen, bathroom, clean tiles and shiny dishes is the dream of every housewife. Limescale can spoil the appearance of sinks, tiles, pots and other important household items. You can remove annoying limescale using professional chemicals or traditional methods. Carrying out preventive surface treatments saves time when cleaning the house.
Reasons for the appearance
Limescale deposits appear on heating elements, tiles, sanitary ware and other surfaces in contact with water. As the water evaporates, it forms a white layer - calcium carbonate. The sediment is solid, as a rule, embedded in the coating, it is difficult to remove it without the use of special tools. To avoid damage to things by limescale, it is necessary to eliminate the main causes of the appearance of stale plaque.
untimely flush
Standing water is a common cause of scale buildup.On the sanitary ware of the toilets and urinals, a urinary calculus joins the limestone deposits. It is very difficult to wash off such contaminants without professional household chemicals, it is easier to avoid stains by adjusting toilet flushing systems and carrying out preventive cleanings.
Hard or too hot water
Limescale and scale build up twice as fast in hard, mineral-rich water. Excess deposits damage coffee makers, washing machines, electric kettles and dishwashers. The heating elements require regular cleaning. In addition, with the increase in water hardness, means and methods are used to soften and purify water:
- installation of ion or membrane filters;
- use of professional household chemicals;
- the use of saline solutions.
Limestone and limestone impair the quality of drinking water, and also contribute to the rapid deterioration of household appliances.
Damaged surface
If the surface is damaged, chips and cracks have formed on it, then, first of all, limescale forms on it. It is problematic to clean sediment from "weak" places. It is necessary to use means that can penetrate deep into the pollution.
Clean the kitchen
A sink, a backsplash, a kitchen appliance, a mixer tap are the main elements of the kitchen affected by the calcareous plague.
Household chemicals used to clean these items should be non-toxic and harmless to human health.
Ceramics and tiles
These types of surfaces should be scrubbed with mild agents, without harsh abrasive particles. This is especially important for tiles with a convex pattern. The use of brushes is not recommended, it is preferable to use melamine sponges.
After surface treatment, residues of cleaning products must be completely removed. In order to avoid the accumulation of limescale, wiping the ceramic or tiles with a hot soapy solution is used as a preventive measure.
plastic products
Plastic surfaces and plastic products are susceptible to scratches and abrasions after descaling. Household chemicals should have a mild effect, it is better to use gels, powder should be discarded.
Deposits in the bathroom
Removing lime stains in the bathroom is a tedious and energy-intensive part of cleaning. The toilet, the sink, the faucets, the tiles and the tub itself are objects prone to the accumulation of limescale.
Hard water in combination with calcium carbonate and fatty particles, urinary stones - creates pollution of increased complexity. Without household chemicals, it will not be possible to completely clean surfaces on the first try.
Tile
With limestone, the tiles lose their shine and softness, and the appearance of the coating deteriorates. It is best to rinse and clean the tiles with gel products. A kind of liquid oatmeal is made from the powder. It is necessary to rub the surface with a sponge with gloves. After cleaning, the tiles are rinsed several times with water and wiped with a soft cloth.
Mirrors and glass
Glass coatings are the most fragile and delicate surfaces. The cleaning must be carried out by means of a uniform consistency, without grains or abrasive particles. Sprays can be used.
Important! When cleaning windows and mirrors, do not use a lint-free cloth.Small hairs and pellets will remain on the surface and make the glass or mirror look sloppy.
Plumbing
The brilliance and the mirror chrome appearance of the faucets are deteriorated by limescale stains. A toilet bowl with brown, rusty spots does not look presentable, the drain system may fail. These problems can be avoided by prompt cleaning of surfaces, the installation of filters and the use of preventive measures to combat lime deposits.
cranes
Chrome finishes cannot be powder cleaned. Scratches will appear and the blender will lose its shine. Using gels and sprays is a great way out of the situation.
It is necessary to wipe the taps with a soft sponge. After cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft cotton cloth.
Plaque in the toilet
The appearance of rust and limescale in the toilet bowl significantly spoils the appearance of the product. The accumulation of urinary stones complicates the process of treating spots. When cleaning sanitary ware and ceramics, you can use brushes and powders. Uneven application of gels containing active ingredients can cause white streaks to appear where the concentration of the product has been exceeded. This chemistry must be applied evenly. Do not let the product run. Regular toilet cleaning with prophylactic means avoids stubborn stains.
Plaque eliminators
When cleaning, every housewife has a problem of choice: to use household chemicals or to use a folk remedy. In difficult cases, with heavily encrusted spots and stains, it is advisable to use professional products. To prevent lime contamination, you can use folk recipes.
Popular
There are many advices from the population to fight against tartar and limescale. The main ingredients are vinegar, baking soda and citric acid. Also used ammonia and bleach.
lemon acid
A proven folk remedy that allows you to quickly remove tartar. Used for cleaning coffee and washing machines, kettles. A small amount of citric acid is mixed with water and the heating elements are wiped clean. Can be added in powder form to washing machine and start the cleaning program drumming.Bonus of use - pleasant natural lemon scent after cleaning.
Soda and vinegar solution
Will not scratch or damage the surface to be cleaned. Allows you to quickly wash even difficult dirt. First, soda is applied to the stain, then vinegar. The substance begins to fizz, after 10-15 minutes the remnants of the product are washed off with water and removed with a soft cloth.
vinegar solution
Vinegar (70%) is diluted with water and applied to the contaminated object. Ideal for cleaning faucets and other smooth surfaces. The shine returns to the product without scratches or damage.
Chlorine
Toxic agent. It can only be used with gloves, it is not recommended to inhale bleach vapors during cleaning. Bleach works quickly, resists old dirt. Creates an antiseptic effect, but may damage the surface.
Ammonia
Ideal for cleaning glass surfaces and mirrors, it leaves no marks and does not damage the surface. Can be diluted with water, suitable for cleaning plastics and all types of delicate coatings.
white
Means of Soviet times based on bleach. Affordable, but highly toxic. Resists stubborn dirt.Suitable for cleaning toilets, bathtubs, shower cabins. You can only use white with gloves.
Hydrogen and soda
This combination enhances the effect of baking soda. Perfectly removes limescale from heating elements. Not suitable for cleaning delicate surfaces, may leave scratches.
Boura
boric acid solution; can be purchased at any pharmacy. Descaler for heating elements in washing machines and dishwashers. Has a disinfectant, non-toxic effect.
The best professional cleaning products
Professional household chemicals will facilitate and speed up the cleaning of the house and effectively cope with the old limescale contamination. Designed for different types of surfaces. Available in various forms: pastes, gels, sprays, powders.
Cilit Bang Gel
A product based on hydrochloric acid. It successfully copes with multi-layered lime deposits, allows you to get rid of rust. Does not damage surfaces. Has a whitening effect, restores shine and softness to coatings.
Domestos
The composition includes hydrochloric acid, it is necessary to limit children's access to the product. Economical consumption - a small amount is enough to get rid of an old, hard-to-remove stain.
Sanox ultra
Affordable means of Russian production. Cleans limestone, scale, rust. Helps remove old grease stains from kitchen backsplash.
Maintenance tips
Regular daily maintenance of household appliances and kitchen surfaces is a guarantee of the absence of stubborn stains. To keep the toilet clean, it is important to set the drain correctly. Water stagnation is unacceptable, it is imperative to use a brush after use.The sink should be rinsed after use, and food debris and other biological debris should be removed regularly.
yellow bloom
In the fight against yellow plaque, bleaching agents are used, for example, Cilit Bang. Yellow plaque forms as a result of calcareous sediments and the accumulation of biological food debris or other elements. You can clean it with folk remedies: soda and citric acid. Regular cleaning of surfaces with dishwashing detergent will help prevent yellow deposits from appearing.
Enamelled, cast iron and steel bathtub
All these types of baths quickly absorb dirt. When dirty water stagnates, yellow and brown spots appear. If they are not cleaned in time, they eat away at the surface and it becomes difficult to remove them. After using the bath, it is necessary to rinse it, once a week to carry out preventive cleaning by gentle means.
Acrylic surface
The advantage of acrylic baths is poor absorption of dirt. The secret to the cleanliness and whiteness of an acrylic bath is a weekly treatment with soapy water and rinsing the surface with warm water after each use.
With such care, the use of professional products for removing complex dirt is not required.
Washing machine
Washing machine maintenance includes:
- clean the drum once every six months;
- air the powder compartment and the centrifuge;
- the use of water softeners;
- quick filter cleaning.
When an unpleasant odor appears, a dry wash cycle is carried out using a 3-in-1 dishwasher tablet.
Chrome faucets and tubes
When cleaning chrome surfaces, it is important to avoid scratches. The use of powders is not recommended. It is more convenient to use sprays.For daily use, dishwasher detergents or glass cleaners are suitable.
Prophylaxis
Daily cleaning of surfaces and a set of preventive measures can prevent the appearance of stubborn stains and complex soiling. The main methods of prevention:
- correct adjustment of drainage systems (stagnation of water is unacceptable);
- application of filters and their timely replacement;
- daily cleaning;
- the use of water softeners;
- rational use of household chemicals (try to avoid using powders).
Cleanliness and shine will return to your kitchen and bathroom within hours if you use professional cleaning products correctly. A set of daily cleaning activities will save you time on general cleaning. Avoid stubborn stains.