There’s a name for that icky, unsightly gray-white gunk that’s built up all around your tub, shower, taps, faucets, and other bathroom fixtures — it’s limescale, and removing and preventing limescale should be a priority for you. It’s not just because it’s gross to look at but also because limescale can do serious damage to your plumbing.
Here’s the lowdown on why limescale is bad, plus what you can do to remove it and prevent it from ever coming back again.
What is Limescale?
First, it’s worthwhile to understand what limescale is. No, limescale isn’t a matter of being dirty. It doesn’t mean that your water is contaminated or that there’s anything bad in your water. On the contrary, your water is probably very clean, but it has a high concentration of dissolved minerals, mostly calcium and magnesium, but sometimes iron as well. This type of mineral-concentrated water is what’s known as hard water. It’s safe to drink and wash in. Hard water has a strange taste to it, and it could potentially make it harder for you to rinse away soap. This results in skin that is prone to dryness and laundry feeling a little bit scratchy.
But the biggest complaint people have about hard water is that it causes limescale. When hard water collects on surfaces, either because it splashed onto them or because condensation collected in a moisture-rich environment, it evaporates to leave behind white deposits of calcium carbonate. These white deposits might have a grayish tint to them, and they’ll look slightly chalky. This is limescale.
Why is Limescale Bad?
At first, limescale might be mild. Over time, however, it can build up and become thick and hard. It’s at this point that it’s difficult to remove.
But limescale isn’t bad merely because it’s unsightly. When limescale builds up in your pipes, it can cause poor water pressure; in your water heater, it can mean your tank needs more energy to keep your water warm. All in all, this means your electric bill is going to be higher throughout the month. In especially bad situations, limescale can build up in your pipes to such an extent that it blocks the flow of water altogether.
Limescale will also shorten the lifespan of appliances. This unfortunate reality, combined with the way it looks, means your home value may decrease with the presence of limescale.
How Do I Get Rid of Limescale?
“Wow,” you might be thinking. “I get it — limescale is bad! But how do I get rid of it?”
Because limescale is alkaline in nature, it can be easily broken down by countering it with an acidic substance.
The right ingredients for a limescale combatant are probably sitting right in your pantry or fridge: white vinegar and lemon juice. The acids in these two products are effective for most mild to moderate limescale buildups. Make a solution with equal parts of both liquids and put it in a spray container. Generously spritz the vinegar-lemon solution all over the walls of your shower, bathtub, and any fixture where it has built up. Allow it to sit for approximately 10-20 minutes; then wipe it away.
In some cases, it’s not easy to get this solution all over fixtures or appliances where there are nooks and crannies, such as a showerhead. If you can remove the showerhead, place it in a bucket of vinegar for a half-hour. When you take it out, the limescale should wipe off easily. You can also try soaking a rag in vinegar and draping it or wrapping it around the fixture.
Another option is to fill a plastic bag with your vinegar and lemon juice solution. Stick the showerhead, faucet, or tap through the opening of the bag so it is fully submerged in the solution, then wrap the bag opening tightly closed and secure it with a rubber band or a zip tie. Leave it like this overnight.
For limescale that has built up in your appliances, such as your washing machine or your dishwasher, run the vinegar and lemon juice solution in place of soap through one or two cycles.
If you have an especially bad limescale situation, you may need to use heavier-grade cleaners, but these aren’t ideal because they can be harsh on your skin and can even damage certain metals or finishes.
How Do I Prevent Limescale?
If you can, you want to prevent limescale buildup altogether. If you know your home sources hard water and you don’t have signs of limescale yet, take preventative measures.
While wiping down surfaces where condensation builds up and spritzing your shower with vinegar and lemon juice after you use it can be helpful, this prevention might not be enough. A plumber can help you add a water softener to your appliances. These inexpensive devices will either remove the minerals that cause limescale or will imbue sodium into your water to counteract the other minerals. The result will be richer skin after you shower, fresher laundry out of the washing machine, and glittering dishes out of the dishwasher.