The East of England is a hard water area, which means the groundwater comes from chalk or limestone rocks. Over time, the calcium in hard water builds up as limescale (a white or yellow flaky deposit) on your taps or showerhead.
However, you don’t need expensive cleaning products to get rid of limescale build up. Lemon juice and vinegar are naturally acidic and will break down the limescale. Used regularly, they will also stop limescale building up in the future.
Remove limescale and stop it building up
The following tips are sourced from:
- Top tips for hard water (anglianwater.co.uk)
- How to remove limescale (goodhousekeeping.com)
- Here’s how to make limescale remover: it’s quick, eco-friendly and works a treat | Real Homes
If you don’t have any lemons, other acidic household items like white vinegar also work. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.
Kitchen taps
Cut a lemon in half and twist it on to the end of the tap, so it stays in place. Leave for 1-2 hours. You may need to gently work away any remaining limescale with an old toothbrush. Give the tap a final rinse and wipe, and your taps will be fresh and clean!
Shower head
If the shower head detaches, soak it in a jug of lemon juice or vinegar. Otherwise, soak an old tea towel or rag in lemon juice or vinegar then wrap this round the shower head. Secure in place with a plastic bag and elastic band if necessary. Rinse thoroughly before using.
Kettle
Cut a lemon into pieces and put in your kettle. Fill it with water and boil – this will naturally descale your kettle.
Toilet
Try removing heavy limescale deposits by rubbing gently with an old toothbrush soaked in white vinegar. If the limescale is very hard and encrusted, wear rubber gloves and use an old pumice stone to gently rub away the limescale below the water level.
Washing machine
Instead of your usual detergent, pour in a large cup of white vinegar or lemon juice and run the machine empty on a normal wash cycle.
Dishwasher
Pour white vinegar into the base of the dishwasher and run a wash cycle. As well as removing the limescale, it will help freshen up your appliance.