Life Hack: How to clean limescale caused by hard water from showers, kettles and more
Keep some vinegar to hand if you have hard water. Picture: iStock
Many homes in Ireland are affected by hard water, which is water with a high mineral content caused by deposits of minerals like limestone, chalk or gypsum in the liquid. Hard water is not harmful to your health but it can leave limescale, a white calcium deposit, in certain areas.
If you have hard water, it is likely you see the telltale signs of it in your kitchen and in your bathroom. Here’s how to clean some common areas.
Hard water can cause white or cloudy-looking marks to fall where water has dried on surfaces. This can be most apparent on the glass surrounds of showers, on showerheads themselves, and inside sinks and baths. Vinegar will be your best friend when tackling the problem.
Mix a 50/50 ratio of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the mixture onto the affected surfaces. Let it sit for 15 minutes before wiping it away.
Hard water can also clog your shower head. To combat this, dip a toothbrush in white vinegar and scrub at the showerhead. Wipe it clean and turn on the shower to clear the remaining residue. You could soak the showerhead in white vinegar but this can tarnish some finishes.
If you have hard water stains inside your toilet bowl, you can pour a cup of vinegar around the inside of the toilet bowl, making sure it covers the stains. Use a toilet brush to coat the surface and allow the vinegar to sit for one minute. Next, sprinkle a cup of sodium bicarbonate around the toilet bowl, followed by another cup of vinegar. The vinegar and sodium bicarbonate will start fizzing when they come into contact. Cover stains with the mixture and wait for between 10 and 30 minutes. if stains remain, scrub them away with a toilet brush. Flush to rinse the bowl and repeat the process if necessary.
Many of the above methods will work on kitchen sinks, etc, but another area where you could find limescale is inside your kettle. You can easily descale the kettle with your trusty vinegar. Fill the kettle to the halfway point with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. Boil the kettle and let the mixture stay in the small appliance for half an hour. Pour the mixture away and rinse the kettle with fresh water.
To remove any lingering vinegar scent, fill the kettle to its maximum with fresh water and boil, repeating a second time if needed. You should regularly descale your kettle — aim for once every eight weeks, or monthly if you live in an area particularly affected by hard water, like Dublin. To further prevent limescale, empty your kettle of water at the end of each day to avoid overnight deposits building up.
