How to clean and remove limescale from taps and surfaces

There are plenty of detergents which remove limescale form taps and surfaces, but there are also household ingredients which can do the work. The problem with limescale removing products is to find suitable abrasives which won’t damage the surfaces. The ingredients should stay in contact as much time as possible to clean the limescale. The most common ingredients which can be used for removing limescale are lemon juice and vinegar. Limescale is hard to be removed and you should leave the products to be in contact with the surfaces for as long as it is necessary.

For cleaning limescale from washing machines and dishwasher’s innards you can use lemon juice and vinegar. To remove limescale from washing machines fill a large glass of vinegar and the same quantity lemon juice in the detergent dispenser and run a regular cycle without any clothes inside. For cleaning dishwasher use the same liquid to pour in the base of the appliance instead of in its dispenser for detergent and run a cycle.

To remove limescale from your kettle fill a quarter of its container with either lemon juice or vinegar and leave it to sit for 1 hour. After an hour fill the rest of the container with the acidic liquid with water and turn it on to boil. Throw away the solution before it cools and rinse the kettle several times with cold water to remove the vinegar or lemon taste and smell.

The similar method can be applied for removing limescale from coffee makers. Fill ¼ of the water compartment with any acid — lemon juice or vinegar and add water to top it. Run a regular cycle for making coffee without using any coffee. Rinse twice using only water in the compartment. Again before using lemon juice or vinegar for de-scaling read the manufacturer’s manual of every appliance to check if it is suitable to be cleaned this way. This will protect it from getting damaged.

Removing limescale from taps is not so easy because you have to keep in contact the liquid with the surfaces which aren’t flat. The most effective method is using a tiny plastic cup full of vinegar and dip the tap in it. Use a tea towel wrapped tightly around the tap and cup to keep them in place. The liquid should be in contact with the tap during this time.

For cleaning limescale deposits from other parts of the tap, clean start services advises you to use a cotton wool pad soaked in descaling solution and wrap it around the surrounding parts well. Leave the soaked pad for 1–2 hours and squeeze it from time to time to be sure that all surfaces are in constant contact with the acidic liquid. After passing the necessary time you should be able to wipe all surfaces of the tap. You can use a plastic scourer to scrub and remove the more stubborn limescale deposits.

Another efficient method for removing limescale from taps is using a few lemons. Cut each lemon in half and squeeze the juice in a bowl by hand. Keep the fleshy parts of the lemons intact for the next step. Take the lemon half and push it into the spout of the tap turning carefully till it stays in place. The chambers and fibres inside of the lemon should be caught on the spout edge to prevent the lemon form falling. If after all attempts the lemon doesn’t want to stay on place and falls all the time use a tea towel to wrap and attach it to the tap. Leave it there to do its limescale cleaning work for some time.

Use the lemon juice to soak a cotton wool and wrap the other tap parts. Wait 1 hour after which rinse and scrub the tap. Cleaning limescale from flat surfaces is much easier. You just need to scrub them with lemon juice and vinegar till they shine.