Hard water limescale

[Gardengirl]

I know this is not a gardening subject but it's a really good tip.  I saw some American lady on TV recently giving household tips.  She said that if you immerse your shower heads in white vinegar (I usually do it over night) it breaks down the limescale and makes them easier to clean.  It's cheaper than buying the commercial limescale removers especially as you can use the same lot again and again.  I just put it back in the bottle for next time.

Just thought I would pass this on to you all :D

[Gardengirl]

[tim]

Just love those 'tips' programmes. Wish they'd do a book of them.

Hoping to add, rather  than to detract -
1. Yes - in our experience, acetic acid works on modest build-up. Like jugs & glasses.
2. But it takes formic to clear our kettles. And we're only 16deg against your 21?
3. Although we have totally softened (hot) water, our shower head still bungs up!
4. I believe that any solvent, like silver cleaner, can be used over (as they say), till it's exhausted. And with formic, you know when it has stopped fizzing. Nothing lives for ever? = Tim

[rdak]

tim,

they have...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0752841688/ref=ase_Pricerunner-21/026-7068887-4184415

highly recommended read

[ina]

When the shower head bungs up, I set the part with the holes in a small bowl with anti calcium toilet cleaner, works like a charm. Afterwards I use the same cleaner in.........the toilet.

[tim]

rdak - thanks a lot - ordered!
ina - interesting - OK, any acid? - but depends upon concentration of scale or acid?? And what's the difference between the hydrochloric in toilet cleaner, and formic in kettle cleaner - someone??  How  hard is your water? Always pictured Holland as a 'soft' area. = Tim

[Mrs Ava]

Now, I am sure I heard somewhere that you can use those tablets that you soak your false teeth in to clean limescale - do you get limescale on your false teeth  :D.  What I think it said was drop a couple of tables in your loo bowl, or drop a couple in a bowl and soak your shower head or bung your shower head down your lavvy bowl.... :o

[melissagardars]

We live in Copenhagen and the water here is so full of calcium that I have to rinse my hair with cider vinegar in bottled water every time I wash it or else I can't get a comb through it- it goes all sticky!

[kitty]

runout of jif(or as they inexplicably call it now-cif)??
use salt on a damp cloth-same gentle abrasive effect.....for filthy hand,instead of swarfega or the like-a teaspoon full of sugar nd a bit of washing up liquid-then wash hands as normal-gets rid of the most stubborn grime!
kitty

[Amazin]

Steradent tablets excellent for getting tannin stains out of cups.

[Doris_Pinks]

Also good for cleaning Demi Johns! ;D

[kenkew]

Baking soda is household magic.

[kitty]

a cup of baking soda,cup of sugar and a cup of white vinegar mixed together clears yer blocked u-bend! ;D

[BAGGY]

So does Coke - leave a can of it in the loo overnight (decant it first !)

[derbex]

Years ago as a chemistry student I asked for HCL or conc. Sulphuric to burn off the limescale in the college kettle and was given citric instead. Seems that if the acid is too strong it can cause problems (kettles were metal back then) and a weak one works just as well for limescale.

You can get citric acid granules from homebrew shops (so probably Wilkos too) -it doesn't smell, unlike vinegar.

You can use vinegar in the toilet as well, I once cleaned up my old boat toilet that way. I had a craving for chips all through the process :D

Jeremy

[Val]

It also brings the dishwasher up a treat and washing machine. I bung a bit of white vinegar in every so often. It doesn't smell either.If you put the vinegar in when washing the flower pots it does 2 jobs in one. :)