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Understanding Limescale: What Is It and How to Remove It Naturally

Limescale is a common problem many of us encounter in our homes, particularly for homes connected to hard water. But what exactly is limescale, and why is it something you should be concerned about? In this blog, ‘Understanding Limescale: What Is It and How to Remove It Naturally’, we will cover everything you need to know about limescale, how it can damage your appliances, and how to remove it using natural methods.

Limescale and Hardwater explained

 

Limescale is a chalky, white substance made primarily of calcium carbonate. It forms when hard water, which contains high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium, evaporates or is heated. You might notice it as a white or slightly yellowish crust around taps, in kettles, or on showerheads. This buildup is a common problem caused by hard water.

Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium, which enter the water as it flows through mineral-rich rocks like limestone. The hardness of water varies depending on the local geology. Hard water can cause several household issues.

While hard water isn’t harmful to human health, it can cause significant long-term effects in your home. Regular cleaning and softening products can help manage its impact but may also add to your expenses.

How Is Hard Water Measured?

Water hardness is typically measured in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per litre (mg/L) of calcium carbonate equivalent or in grains per gallon (gpg). The hardness of water is categorized as follows:

  • Soft Water: 0-60 ppm (0-3.5 gpg)
  • Moderately Hard Water: 61-120 ppm (3.5-7.0 gpg)
  • Hard Water: 121-180 ppm (7.0-10.5 gpg)
  • Very Hard Water: Over 180 ppm (above 10.5 gpg)

The higher the concentration of minerals, the harder the water.

The Effects of Hard Water on Households

Hard water’s impact on household appliances and cleaning can be costly. Here are some of the main problems:

  • Limescale Buildup
  • Plumbing Issues
  • Ineffective Soap and Detergent
  • Spotting on Dishes
  • Dry Skin and Hair
  • Increased Energy Consumption

Long-Term Consequences

Over time, the effects of hard water can increase household costs. For instance, higher energy consumption and more frequent repairs or replacements of appliances and plumbing can add up. A boiler or water heater with limescale buildup will last fewer years unless cleaned regularly. Additionally, the need for extra soap, detergent, and water-softening products can increase your expenses. Managing hard water effectively helps reduce these costs and prolong the life of your appliances.

Hard Water Limescale Problems Table
Why Is Limescale Bad for Your Appliances and Wet Areas?

 

Limescale buildup may seem like a minor issue at first, but it can cause serious problems over time. This chalky residue, formed from mineral-rich hard water, accumulates on shower screens, taps, and shower heads, leaving unsightly streaks and cloudy patches that are difficult to clean. It creates rough surfaces that trap grime and soap scum, further tarnishing the appearance of your wet areas and making maintenance a challenge.

In appliances like kettles, dishwashers, and washing machines, limescale coats heating elements and clogs water lines, reducing efficiency and driving up energy costs. It can also weaken water pressure in taps and shower heads, leading to uneven flow and increased wear and tear. Left unchecked, limescale can result in costly repairs, shortened appliance lifespans, and a frustrating loss of performance in your home. Regular maintenance is key to avoiding these issues and keeping your appliances and fixtures in top condition.

Photo of showerhead
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Affects Water Flow

Limescale buildup inside pipes, taps, and shower heads can restrict water flow, leading to uneven water distribution and reduced functionality. Blockages caused by limescale can result in weak water pressure or even total obstruction, making daily tasks like showering or washing dishes inefficient and frustrating.

Reduces Efficiency

In appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and kettles, limescale coats heating elements and water lines. This reduces their efficiency and increases energy consumption. For example, a kettle with limescale deposits takes longer to boil water, using more electricity. Similarly, limescale in dishwashers can block water flow, impair drainage, and lead to breakdowns, disrupting your household routine.

Shortens Appliance Lifespan

The strain caused by limescale buildup forces appliances to work harder than they should. This additional stress accelerates wear and tear, leading to more frequent repairs and ultimately shortening the lifespan of your devices. Expensive appliances like washing machines and dishwashers can become prematurely outdated, resulting in unnecessary replacement costs.

Increased Energy Bills

As appliances become less efficient due to limescale, they require more power to operate effectively. This increased energy consumption directly translates to higher utility bills, making limescale a hidden but significant drain on your household budget.

Just a 1mm layer of limescale on a hot water system heating element alone can increase energy input by 7%[1], while a 3mm layer may lead to a rise in energy consumption of up to 25%.

Removing limescale restores the efficiency of your appliances, offering several benefits. Appliances operate faster, whether it’s a dishwasher cleaning dishes more effectively or a kettle boiling water more quickly, saving valuable time. Cleaner heating elements also reduce energy consumption, lowering electricity or gas bills. Additionally, regular descaling helps extend the lifespan of your appliances by preventing costly breakdowns and ensuring they continue to perform at their best.

Removing Limescale

 

Limescale buildup is common in households, often appearing on faucets, showerheads, and inside kettles. While commercial products can quickly remove these mineral deposits, many prefer natural alternatives to avoid harsh chemicals, protect the environment, and ensure safer cleaning, especially around food or sensitive areas. Using eco-friendly methods and non-toxic descalers, you can keep your home limescale-free while safeguarding your appliances, health, and the planet. These products offer a powerful, safe alternative for those who want an eco-friendly and convenient option.

Bicarbonate of soda is a mild abrasive that can be used to scrub away limescale from sinks, taps, and tiles without damaging surfaces.

While baking soda is a gentle abrasive and great for cleaning many surfaces, it can pose risks when used on certain metals. Aluminium, in particular, is highly reactive to baking soda. Prolonged contact can cause discolouration and even corrosion of the metal. Similarly, if scrubbed with baking soda, gold-plated surfaces may scratch or lose their finish. Even stainless steel, which is more resistant to corrosion, can suffer from small scratches and dulling over time if applied too aggressively. To avoid damage, it’s important to use sparingly and to rinse surfaces thoroughly after cleaning.

Bicarb Paste:

  1. Mix baking soda with a small amount of water to create a thick paste.
  2. Apply the paste directly to the limescale-affected surfaces of the appliance.
  3. Allow the paste to sit for 15-20 minutes to break down the limescale.
  4. Use a soft brush or cloth to scrub the paste into the limescale, working gently to avoid scratching the surface.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with water to remove the paste and limescale residue, then dry the surface completely.

 

Lemon juice is another natural acid that effectively dissolves limescale. You can use it in the same way as vinegar:

    • Appliance Surfaces:
      1. Apply diluted lemon juice (1:1 ratio of lemon juice to water) directly to surfaces affected by limescale. Leave it for 5-10 minutes, then scrub with a brush or cloth. After cleaning, rinse thoroughly with water and dry completely to prevent any potential corrosion or tarnishing, especially on reactive metals. Always test on a small, inconspicuous area first if unsure how the metal will react.
  1.  
    • Kettles: This method is safe for most kettles, but for metal kettles, avoid leaving lemon juice in for too long (more than 30 minutes) to prevent potential corrosion.
      1. Mix the juice of 1-2 lemons with enough water to fill the kettle about halfway. Alternatively, you can use 1-2 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice.
      2. Boil the solution in the kettle and then turn it off.
      3. Allow the lemon juice mixture to sit for 10-15 minutes to dissolve the limescale.
      4. Use a soft brush or cloth to gently scrub away any remaining residue.
      5. Empty the kettle, rinse it several times with fresh water, and boil plain water once before using it again to remove any lemon residue.

Important: When using lemon juice as a natural limescale remover, it’s important to be cautious, especially when applying it to metal surfaces. Lemon juice is highly acidic and can corrode certain metals, particularly aluminium and steel. Acidic liquids like lemon juice can react with aluminium, causing it to leach into the liquid and damage the surface. Additionally, while stainless steel is more corrosion-resistant due to its protective chromium oxide layer, prolonged exposure to acids like lemon juice can wear down this layer, leading to rust or pitting over time. It’s best to avoid using lemon juice on metal surfaces or rinse them thoroughly to prevent any damage.

In addition to these natural solutions, non-toxic cleaning products are designed particularly for limescale removal. These products offer a powerful, safe alternative for those who want an eco-friendly and convenient option:

  • All-Purpose Descaler (liquid) and Magic Multi-Use Descaler (powder): This versatile descaler removes limescale from kettles, coffee machines, showerheads, and more. It’s safe, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly, providing an effective solution without harmful chemicals.
  • Washing Machine Cleaner Disinfectant (250mL): Easy-to-use liquid breaks down stubborn built-up grime, detergent, and mineral deposits from hidden areas like the outside of the bowl/drum and inside the pipes, which cause odours and dirty clothes from mould/grime particles and machine breakdowns from blockages.

Preventing Future Limescale Buildup

Once you’ve removed limescale, you can take steps to prevent it from building up again

Water Softeners:

Water softeners typically use a process called ion exchange to replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium or potassium ions. This process happens inside a resin tank, where the hard water flows through the resin beads, exchanging the hardness minerals for softer sodium or potassium ions. The softened water then flows into your home for use.

Types of Hard Water Softeners:

  • Salt-Based Softeners: The most common and effective type, using salt to remove hard minerals from water.
  • Salt-Free Softeners: These don’t remove minerals but prevent limescale by altering the way minerals behave. They’re low-maintenance but less effective than salt-based systems.
  • Dual-Tank Softeners: These have two tanks, ensuring a continuous supply of soft water by using one tank while the other regenerates.

Benefits of Hard Water Softeners:

  • Prevents Limescale: Soft water stops limescale from forming in appliances, pipes, and fixtures, helping them last longer.
  • Better Cleaning: Soaps and detergents work better with soft water, leaving dishes, laundry, and surfaces spotless.
  • Saves Energy: Softened water improves appliance efficiency, cutting energy use and lowering bills.
  • Gentle on Skin and Hair: Soft water prevents dryness and irritation, keeping skin and hair soft.
  • Extends Appliance Life: Reduces mineral buildup, avoiding expensive repairs or replacements.

Maintenance Considerations:

  • Salt-Based Systems: These require regular replenishment of salt to maintain their effectiveness. The resin beads also need periodic cleaning or replacement.
  • Salt-Free Systems: These require minimal maintenance but may not be as effective in areas with very hard water.

A water softener is a long-term investment that can save money on cleaning supplies, repair costs, and energy bills while improving overall household comfort. If you live in an area with very hard water, installing a water softener can be a smart solution to prevent ongoing issues.

Limescale may seem like a minor issue, but it can significantly impact the performance and lifespan of your appliances. Removing it not only improves efficiency but also saves you money in the long run. With natural, eco-friendly methods like vinegar, lemon juice, or our specialty-formulated descalers, you can tackle limescale without the need for harsh chemicals. So, keep your appliances running smoothly and your home limescale-free!

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