The cheapest and most convenient method of scale removal (limescale, as it is popularly called) on kitchenware, electronics (including washing machines), taps, shower heads, it is already in your kitchen and waiting to be used. It’s called vinegar.
Limescale (calcium carbonate) is present in almost every kitchen or bathroom and is formed by rapid evaporation of the water. You find it on the hot water tap but less or not at all on the cold water tap. The good news is that it removes easily and cheaply, using his great enemy: acid. And the cheapest and most convenient is the acetic acid, known as vinegar.
What kind of vinegar to use
Always use white vinegar, derived from wine or alcohol (red wine vinegar can stain) with a concentration of 9%.
How and what it is used for
Coffee filter or espresso
Coffee filter and espresso are among the most limescale-vulnerable household objects. Make a solution of 50% vinegar and 50% water. Fill the coffee filter tank with this concoction. Allow solution to pass through the machine by using it normally.
Ideally is to leave the liquid act overnight and to repeat the method the next day. Discard the solution, rinse and repeat the method with clean water. Also discard the first coffee you make after this operation.
The kettle
Use the same solution as above (50% water and 50% vinegar). Fill the kettle to maximum. Boil the liquid in the kettle several times. Leave overnight and repeat the method. Rinse with cold water and throw the first water you boil after this operation.
Pots, pans, etc.
Kitchen utensils are easy to clean off limestone if you boil them in a mixture of water and vinegar (equal amounts). Allow them to cool in water overnight. Rinse and use.
Washing machine
The cheapest solution is still the vinegar. Fill the washing machine drum with 5 liters of vinegar. Add a kitchen towel inside. Use a long wash cycle. The best advice for maintaining your washing machine is to use 50-100 ml of white vinegar on every wash, poured into the detergent dispenser compartment. Do not use fabric softener, because it’s not needed! The vinegar will both protect the washing machine against limestone and your fabrics too.
Dishwasher
Use the same method as for cleaning the washing machine. Same for the final rinse -pour vinegar in the rinsing liquid dispenser compartment.
Faucets and shower heads
Limescale is gladly laying on faucets (especially hot water) and shower heads. Vinegar is still the best solution. Take a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar (more vinegar for stubborn stains), pour it into a spray bottle and apply it directly on the limestone.
For effective results: soak a cloth in vinegar, wrap it around the affected area, put a plastic bag over and let it work overnight. Rinse the next day.
Put the tap filters in the water-vinegar solution and let it act overnight, as well as the removable shower heads.
The shower cabin and windows
The same solution that was applied above you can wash the shower cabin and even the windows. Apply it, let it act, rinse it and wipe it. Repeat if necessary.
Toilet bowl
Vinegar removes limescale from the toilet bowl too. Turn off the tank’s tap, empty the bowl and remove the remaining water. Clog the drain with a cloth (remember that you should remove it at the end!) fill the bowl with vinegar and let it stand overnight. Remove (using a glove) the cloth you have clogged the drain with and rub the limestone. Reopen the bowl’s tap. Rinse several times.
Image Credits: A typical english home
