Difference between revisions of "Limescale"
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
* Fizzes on contact with limescale | * Fizzes on contact with limescale | ||
* Handle with care | * Handle with care | ||
| − | * Avoid all contact with metals, grouts, mortar, concrete, cement based blocks, lime based paints | + | * Avoid all contact with metals, grouts, mortar, concrete, cement based blocks, lime based paints, natural fibre fabrics |
* Slowly dissolves eyeballs & other human parts | * Slowly dissolves eyeballs & other human parts | ||
* Wash off skin promptly | * Wash off skin promptly | ||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
==Sulphamic acid== | ==Sulphamic acid== | ||
| + | Does not darken crazing of ceramics | ||
==Phosphoric acid== | ==Phosphoric acid== | ||
| Line 62: | Line 63: | ||
==Tiles== | ==Tiles== | ||
| − | All acids damage tile grout, apply with care. | + | 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. |
| − | Plastic scrapers are effective for mild scale | + | Plastic scourers & scrapers are effective for mild scale |
| − | Copper scrapers are effective | + | Copper scrapers are more effective on tiles but will break up tile grout. |
==Kettle== | ==Kettle== | ||
| Line 72: | Line 73: | ||
Add citric acid, dont put any clothes in. Set to a 95 degree C or boil wash. When the water reacheds boiling, switch the machine off and leave overnight. Switch on in the morting and let it complete its wash program. | Add citric acid, dont put any clothes in. Set to a 95 degree C or boil wash. When the water reacheds boiling, switch the machine off and leave overnight. Switch on in the morting and let it complete its wash program. | ||
| − | ==Taps== | + | ==Chromework, Taps== |
plastic scourer | plastic scourer | ||
==Stainless Steel== | ==Stainless Steel== | ||
| − | Tomato ketchup | + | Tomato ketchup, plastic scourer |
=Othernyms= | =Othernyms= | ||
| − | '''Hydrochloric acid''' brick acid, patio cleaner | + | '''Hydrochloric acid''' brick acid, patio cleaner |
'''Sulphamic acid''' Fernox DS3, | '''Sulphamic acid''' Fernox DS3, | ||
| + | |||
| + | Limescale removing toilet cleaners may contain any of several acids, but are invariably weak mixtures. | ||
| Line 89: | Line 92: | ||
'''Sulphamic acid''' builders merchants, plumber's merchants | '''Sulphamic acid''' builders merchants, plumber's merchants | ||
| − | '''Citric acid''' chemists. Supermarkets also stock citric acid | + | '''Citric acid''' chemists. Supermarkets also stock products containing citric acid at inflated prices. |
=Other descalers= | =Other descalers= | ||
Revision as of 20:19, 20 December 2006
Limescale is... and causes...
Cause
Prevention
Ion Exchange Water Softener
Phosphate Dosing
Regular use of lime scale removing acidic cleaner
Stainless steel wool ball in kettle
Removal
- acids
- scrapers and abrasives: plastic, copper, aluminium and steel
- very heavy encrustations are removed with a needle drill
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
Scrap 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
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. ...dont wait around to see what went wrong, 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.
- 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 is allowed.
Baths, enamel & cast iron
Shower curtains
- Any of the acids listed will work
- Limescale on curtains retains water and encourages mould
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. 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 reacheds boiling, switch the machine off and leave overnight. Switch on in the morting and let it complete its wash program.
Chromework, Taps
plastic scourer
Stainless Steel
Tomato ketchup, plastic scourer
Othernyms
Hydrochloric acid brick acid, patio cleaner Sulphamic acid Fernox DS3,
Limescale removing toilet cleaners may contain any of several acids, but are invariably weak mixtures.
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.
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