Water scale or lime scale (limescale) is a calcium carbonate deposit that is left when water evaporates from a surface. Over time, these minerals will accumulate and form white crystals. Water scale often forms on household appliances and surfaces such as faucets and shower heads. Luckily, with white vinegar and a little effort, you can easily remove scale to bring back some shine to things in your home.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Removing Water Scale on Equipment
Step 1. Pour vinegar on the utensil
White vinegar (acetic acid) is an excellent cleaner for removing stubborn deposits and stains without affecting the surface of objects. Acetic acid is a chemical that is relatively gentle and biocompatible, making it very effective for cleaning household appliances.
- To clean a kettle or coffee maker, add equal parts vinegar and water to it.
- To clean a washing machine or dishwasher, pour vinegar into the machine drawer.
- If vinegar isn't available, lemon juice can be a great substitute.
Step 2. Allow the vinegar to sit in the utensil
To handle a kettle or coffee maker, let the vinegar sit in it for about 1 hour. This makes the vinegar seep in the water reservoir, which is the part of the engine that is often exposed to water scale.
When cleaning the washing machine or dishwasher, you don't need to let the vinegar soak.
Step 3. Run the equipment to rotate the vinegar
Run the equipment you are cleaning. The acid in the vinegar along with the heat from the utensil will treat the scale and remove it from the utensil.
Step 4. Run the equipment by adding water
After the vinegar has run inside the appliance, clean the appliance as usual. To clean the kettle and coffee maker, put water in them and bring them to a boil. In washing machines and dishwashers, run the appliance without using soap or cleaning agents. This will rinse off any remaining vinegar so that the utensils are clean of scale and vinegar.
If cleaning the kettle and coffee maker, maybe you have to do some cleaning so that the vinegar taste goes away when you use it later.
Method 2 of 3: Removing Water from the Faucet
Step 1. Wet a rag with vinegar
Prepare a cloth or towel that can absorb the liquid, then soak it in white vinegar. Make sure the entire towel is soaked in vinegar, not just part of it. Squeeze out excess liquid, but try to keep the cloth wet.
Step 2. Wrap the cloth around the faucet
Take a cloth that has been soaked in vinegar and wrap it around the faucet. Tie the cloth with a rubber band so it doesn't come off. Make sure all metal surfaces are in contact with the cloth. Let the washcloth cover the faucet for about 1 hour. Remove the cloth an hour later.
Leaving the rag on the faucet will helps vinegar to break down and remove stubborn crust.
Step 3. Wipe the faucet with a clean cloth
Now the faucet will look much better! Remove any residual water and vinegar scale using a clean cloth. Use a cotton swab to handle tight corners.
Step 4. Soak the faucet head
The faucet head sometimes must be given special treatment because in that place there is usually a pile of water scale. If the rest of the faucet looks clean, but the head is still covered in scale, prepare a cup of vinegar and soak the faucet head in it.
- Wrap a towel around the faucet head, including the cup, and tie it with rubber to secure it.
- Make sure you've wrapped the towel tightly around the faucet to keep the faucet head submerged.
Step 5. Wipe the faucet head
An hour later, remove the towel and cup you used to soak the faucet. Wipe off any remaining water and vinegar scale using a clean cloth. If you're cleaning the faucet in the sink, open the faucet and let the water run for a few seconds to let the vinegar taste go away the next time you use it!
Method 3 of 3: Removing Water from the Toilet
Step 1. Lower the water level, by adjusting the height under the toilet lid
To adjust the water level, flush the toilet. While water is pouring into the toilet, turn the water level screw counter clockwise. Do this until the toilet bowl is empty or nearly empty.
Step 2. Pour the borax and vinegar mixture into the toilet
Mix 2-3 cups of white vinegar and equal amounts of borax. Pour the mixture into the toilet bowl, and make sure the area affected by the scale is soaked in the solution. Let the mixture sit for 2 hours to allow the vinegar and borax to soak into the crust.
Step 3. Scrub the toilet using a bathroom brush
Once the scale is submerged, scrub the toilet vigorously with a brush with the vinegar and borax mixture remaining in the toilet bowl.
Step 4. Flush the toilet
After you've scrubbed it, flush the toilet to drain the vinegar and borax mixture down the drain. The water will rinse away the remaining water scale. If there's still scale remaining, scrub the toilet again and rinse with water. Repeat this step until all the water scale is gone.
Do not forget to return the water level in the toilet
Tips
- To descale the water on a flat surface, spray vinegar on the surface, then scrub or wipe off the scale.
- Get into the habit of wiping or cleaning surfaces that are exposed to scale at home to prevent scale buildup in the future.
