Limescale is often found on the inside of pipes, kettles, taps etc. It is the result of hard water depositing calcium carbonate on fixtures and over time creating a hard white substance or hazy stain.
To counteract limescale, you need a form of acid. Unfortunately, some acids used in common limescale cleaning products can corrode alloy trims and damage shower glass.
In the interests of the environment, and your home, household pantry items like lemon juice, baking soda and vinegar can combat limescale just as well as common cleaners.
Showers
How: Lemon juice - Soak sponge with lemon juice and wipe over glass surfaces. Leave for a few minutes. Rinse area with plenty of clean water and dry the glass with a paper towel.
White vinegar - Dilute a 50/50 mix with water into a spray bottle. Drench glass with the solution. Leave for a few minutes gently rub area with a soft-bristled brush. Rinse and dry with a paper towel.
Baking soda - Suitable for tougher stains. Make a thick paste with a small amount of water. Smear paste over the glass and use a soft-bristled brush to target stubborn stains on the framework and door hinges. Rinse and dry with paper towel. None in the pantry? Toothpaste will also do the job (with a hint of minty freshness!)
Taps
Getting into tap crevices can be a trickier job.
How: Use vinegar, lemon juice or a baking soda paste. With an old cloth, soak up the liquid and wrap it around the tap. Aim to get the metal in contact with the liquid you are using. Leave for an hour. Use an old toothbrush to clean taps and hard-to-reach places. Rinse.
Spouts and shower heads
How: Fill a small cup with your chosen cleaning solution. Submerge the spout in the cup and wrap an old towel around the whole combination. Leave for two hours.
Stubborn stains can be tackled later with a gentle scourer.
Basins and baths
How: Start by wiping the whole sink with warm water. Sprinkle baking soda over the entire surface. Rub it in using a sponge or soft cloth until it forms a paste. Rinse the entire basin with water and dry with a clean cloth.
Toilets
How: Make an equal mixture of white vinegar and borax in a spray bottle.
Drain the toilet bowl and squirt your spray bottle mixture in the bowl and upwards under the rim. Leave it to soak for two hours. Scrub with a toilet brush before you flush.
A limescale-free bathroom means nothing if your plumbing doesn't work.
Call your local Gympie plumber on 0418 800 018. Available 24/7 for plumbing emergencies.