Difference between revisions of "Limescale"
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| − | Limescale is... and | + | Limescale is a film or build up of calcium salts. Since it is rough it can harbour dirt. |
| + | |||
| + | Tea stains contain limescale, and may be removed from ceramics and glass with acid. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | =Cause of Limescale= | ||
| + | As water containing dissolved calcium salts evaporates, the calcium salts crystallise and adhere. Hard water is water containing these salts. | ||
| − | |||
=Prevention= | =Prevention= | ||
| + | |||
==Ion Exchange Water Softener== | ==Ion Exchange Water Softener== | ||
| + | * Removes calcium ions, replacing them with sodium ions. | ||
| + | * Requires topups of salt | ||
| + | * Equipment expensive | ||
| + | |||
==Phosphate Dosing== | ==Phosphate Dosing== | ||
| + | * cartridge fitted to water pipe, requires periodic replacement | ||
| + | |||
==Regular use of lime scale removing acidic cleaner== | ==Regular use of lime scale removing acidic cleaner== | ||
| + | * Helps prevents buildup | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Magnetic and electromagnetic scale preventers== | ||
| + | No evidence of them being effective has been found. | ||
| + | |||
==Stainless steel wool ball in kettle== | ==Stainless steel wool ball in kettle== | ||
| + | * The scale deposits on the small scourer-like ball. Since the metal is thin & flexible, the scale breaks off in little pieces and is emptied down the sink with the water. | ||
| + | |||
=Removal= | =Removal= | ||
* acids | * acids | ||
| − | * scrapers and abrasives: plastic, copper, | + | * scrapers and abrasives: |
| − | * very heavy encrustations are removed with a needle drill | + | **plastic scourers remove minimal deposits. |
| + | **copper scourers remove more deposits, but will damage tile grout and plastics | ||
| + | ** aluminium scrapers remove tougher deposits than copper scourers. Not available in shops, use a small piece of very thin sheet ali a fraction of a mm thick. | ||
| + | **steel scourers are hard enough to damage nearly all materials found in modern homes. May be used on steel where very light scratching is acceptable. May be used on glass, but only gently or scratching can occur. | ||
| + | |||
| + | * very heavy encrustations are removed with a needle drill, eg at municipal waterworks. | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Cotton buds are useful when acid is applied to some parts but must be kept off others. | ||
| + | |||
=Chemicals= | =Chemicals= | ||
| Line 25: | Line 52: | ||
==Sulphuric acid== | ==Sulphuric acid== | ||
| − | + | * Sulphuric acid may be used for limescale removal. | |
==Sulphamic acid== | ==Sulphamic acid== | ||
| − | Does not darken crazing of ceramics | + | * Does not darken crazing of ceramics |
==Phosphoric acid== | ==Phosphoric acid== | ||
| Line 34: | Line 61: | ||
==Vinegar== | ==Vinegar== | ||
| + | * Cleans chromework such as taps | ||
==Citric acid== | ==Citric acid== | ||
| Line 43: | Line 71: | ||
=Safety= | =Safety= | ||
| − | * Never allow acids to come into contact with bleach. People have died from doing this. | + | * Never allow acids to come into contact with bleach. People have died from doing this. If it occurs, don't wait around to figure out what happened, evacuate the area immediately. It only takes a few breaths of chlorine to kill. |
| − | * Stronger acids eat clothes, cememnt and lime based products, metal, eyes and other parts of humans. Use with care. | + | * Stronger acids eat clothes, cememnt and lime based products, metal, eyes and other parts of humans. Use HCl with care. |
* All acids react with copper to create toxic runoff. Wash away residues to avoid any contact with food or food preparation equipment. | * All acids react with copper to create toxic runoff. Wash away residues to avoid any contact with food or food preparation equipment. | ||
| Line 53: | Line 81: | ||
==Baths, plastic== | ==Baths, plastic== | ||
| − | + | Any of the acids listed will work, but the stronger ones damage chromework if contact occurs. | |
==Baths, enamel & cast iron== | ==Baths, enamel & cast iron== | ||
==Shower curtains== | ==Shower curtains== | ||
| − | *Any of the acids listed will work | + | *Any of the acids listed will work, except those requiring heat (vinegar, citric acid) |
*Limescale on curtains retains water and encourages mould | *Limescale on curtains retains water and encourages mould | ||
==Tiles== | ==Tiles== | ||
| − | All acids damage tile grout, apply with care. A cotton bud can be used to get acid close to grout without getting it on the grout. | + | *All acids damage tile grout, so apply to tiles with care. A cotton bud can be used to get acid close to grout without getting it on the grout. |
| − | Plastic scourers & scrapers are effective for mild scale | + | *Plastic scourers & scrapers are effective for mild scale |
| − | Copper scrapers are more effective on tiles but will break up tile grout. | + | *Copper scrapers are more effective on tiles but will break up tile grout. |
==Kettle== | ==Kettle== | ||
| Line 71: | Line 99: | ||
==Washing machine== | ==Washing machine== | ||
| − | Add citric acid, dont put any clothes in. Set to a 95 degree C or boil wash. When the water | + | Add citric acid, dont put any clothes in. Set to a 95 degree C or boil wash. When the water reaches boiling, switch the machine off and leave overnight. Switch on in the morning and let it complete its wash program. |
==Chromework, Taps== | ==Chromework, Taps== | ||
| − | plastic scourer | + | * plastic scourer |
| + | * heat the chrome with boiling water and apply vinegar. Rub with plastic scourer. | ||
==Stainless Steel== | ==Stainless Steel== | ||
| − | Tomato ketchup | + | * Tomato ketchup |
| − | + | * plastic scourer | |
| + | * copper scourer | ||
=Othernyms= | =Othernyms= | ||
'''Hydrochloric acid''' brick acid, patio cleaner | '''Hydrochloric acid''' brick acid, patio cleaner | ||
'''Sulphamic acid''' Fernox DS3, | '''Sulphamic acid''' Fernox DS3, | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| Line 93: | Line 121: | ||
'''Citric acid''' chemists. Supermarkets also stock products containing citric acid at inflated prices. | '''Citric acid''' chemists. Supermarkets also stock products containing citric acid at inflated prices. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Limescale removing toilet cleaners''' may contain any of several acids, but are invariably weak mixtures. | ||
| + | |||
=Other descalers= | =Other descalers= | ||
| Line 100: | Line 131: | ||
* steel balls | * steel balls | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | NT 2006 | ||
[[Cateogry:Cleaning]] | [[Cateogry:Cleaning]] | ||
Revision as of 08:04, 21 December 2006
Limescale is a film or build up of calcium salts. Since it is rough it can harbour dirt.
Tea stains contain limescale, and may be removed from ceramics and glass with acid.
Cause of Limescale
As water containing dissolved calcium salts evaporates, the calcium salts crystallise and adhere. Hard water is water containing these salts.
Prevention
Ion Exchange Water Softener
- Removes calcium ions, replacing them with sodium ions.
- Requires topups of salt
- Equipment expensive
Phosphate Dosing
- cartridge fitted to water pipe, requires periodic replacement
Regular use of lime scale removing acidic cleaner
- Helps prevents buildup
Magnetic and electromagnetic scale preventers
No evidence of them being effective has been found.
Stainless steel wool ball in kettle
- The scale deposits on the small scourer-like ball. Since the metal is thin & flexible, the scale breaks off in little pieces and is emptied down the sink with the water.
Removal
- acids
- scrapers and abrasives:
- plastic scourers remove minimal deposits.
- copper scourers remove more deposits, but will damage tile grout and plastics
- aluminium scrapers remove tougher deposits than copper scourers. Not available in shops, use a small piece of very thin sheet ali a fraction of a mm thick.
- steel scourers are hard enough to damage nearly all materials found in modern homes. May be used on steel where very light scratching is acceptable. May be used on glass, but only gently or scratching can occur.
- very heavy encrustations are removed with a needle drill, eg at municipal waterworks.
- Cotton buds are useful when acid is applied to some parts but must be kept off others.
Chemicals
Hydrochloric acid
- Strongest of all limescale removers
- Fizzes on contact with limescale
- Handle with care
- Avoid all contact with metals, grouts, mortar, concrete, cement based blocks, lime based paints, natural fibre fabrics
- Slowly dissolves eyeballs & other human parts
- Wash off skin promptly
- Darkens crazed patterning on ceramics
Sulphuric acid
- Sulphuric acid may be used for limescale removal.
Sulphamic acid
- Does not darken crazing of ceramics
Phosphoric acid
- found in some commercial limescale removing cleaners
Vinegar
- Cleans chromework such as taps
Citric acid
- Mildest of all
- A common food ingredient
- Very slow acting
- Requires heat to be effective
- Suitable for washing machines, aluminium, and unknown or mixed materials.
Safety
- Never allow acids to come into contact with bleach. People have died from doing this. If it occurs, don't wait around to figure out what happened, evacuate the area immediately. It only takes a few breaths of chlorine to kill.
- Stronger acids eat clothes, cememnt and lime based products, metal, eyes and other parts of humans. Use HCl with care.
- All acids react with copper to create toxic runoff. Wash away residues to avoid any contact with food or food preparation equipment.
Goods
Baths, plastic
Any of the acids listed will work, but the stronger ones damage chromework if contact occurs.
Baths, enamel & cast iron
Shower curtains
- Any of the acids listed will work, except those requiring heat (vinegar, citric acid)
- Limescale on curtains retains water and encourages mould
Tiles
- All acids damage tile grout, so apply to tiles with care. A cotton bud can be used to get acid close to grout without getting it on the grout.
- Plastic scourers & scrapers are effective for mild scale
- Copper scrapers are more effective on tiles but will break up tile grout.
Kettle
Add citric acid, boil, let sit until cold, rinse clean.
Washing machine
Add citric acid, dont put any clothes in. Set to a 95 degree C or boil wash. When the water reaches boiling, switch the machine off and leave overnight. Switch on in the morning and let it complete its wash program.
Chromework, Taps
- plastic scourer
- heat the chrome with boiling water and apply vinegar. Rub with plastic scourer.
Stainless Steel
- Tomato ketchup
- plastic scourer
- copper scourer
Othernyms
Hydrochloric acid brick acid, patio cleaner Sulphamic acid Fernox DS3,
Suppliers
Hydrochloric acid Builders merchants, online BMs.
Sulphamic acid builders merchants, plumber's merchants
Citric acid chemists. Supermarkets also stock products containing citric acid at inflated prices.
Limescale removing toilet cleaners may contain any of several acids, but are invariably weak mixtures.
Other descalers
Any acid will work as a descaler. Adding salt to mild acids increases their action. Examples of other descalers include:
- tomato ketchup
- orange juice
- steel balls
NT 2006