Lime scale is a chalky white mineral deposit (alkaline) which is a result of hard water. It often occurs on faucets and in tubs and appliances, such as kettles and coffeemakers and can leave silver and chrome with a gray dullness. White vinegar contains acetic acid and is a great place to start for cleaning these pesky stains. Over time, these mineral build-ups can damage sinks, toilets, and tubs and make soap scum harder to remove.
Table of Contents:
What You’ll Need
- White vinegar
- Rag or paper towel
- Rubberband or hair clip
- Baking soda
- Water softener
- Cream of tartar
- Denture cleaning tablet (optional)
- Lemon juice
- Sponge or soft cloth
- Borax
- Toilet brush
- White wine (optional)
The Cleaning Process
To clean faucets
Soak a rag or paper towel in vinegar and wrap around your faucet. Secure in place with a rubberband or hair clip. Let sit for an hour before wiping the faucet clean with a soft cloth. The Ultimate Accidental Housewife by Julie Edelman also suggests creating a paste with 3-parts baking soda to 1-part water. Apply the paste to the faucet, leave it on for an hour, and wipe it clean.
To clean kettles
Use 2-tbsp. of water softener in a full kettle of water and boil the solution for 2-3 minutes. Repeat if necessary and then rinse out the kettle with clean water. You can also fill your kettle with equal parts vinegar and water, bring the solution to a boil, and leave it overnight. Don’t forget to rinse it out in the morning!
To clean aluminum percolators
Never use bleach on aluminum appliances. Fill the percolator with water and add 1/4-c. cream of tartar. Run the appliance through for one cycle and then rinse well with hot water.
To clean coffeemakers
Fill the reservoir with water and 2-tbsp. water softener. Run the appliance through for one cycle and then again with clean water. Haley’s Cleaning Tips by Rosemary and Graham Haley also recommends filling it with white vinegar, running it through once, and then running it through twice with clean water. You may also fill with hot water and one regular denture cleaning tablet. Run it through once and once again with clean water.
To clean sinks and tubs
Spray with either vinegar or lemon juice. You may also use a paste of cream of tartar and water. Let sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing clean with a sponge or soft cloth. Check out our articles on “How to Clean a Shower” and “How to Clean a Shower Head” for more detailed information.
To clean toilets
Mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and borax. Drain the toilet bowl and pour solution in. Leave it in for 2 hours before scrubbing clean with a toilet brush. You can also add 3-c. of undiluted white vinegar to your full toilet bowl and scrub it clean. Keep your toilet tank clean by adding 3-c. of undiluted vinegar to it, as well.
To clean windows and shower doors
Spraying white vinegar on your windows and shower doors can remove mineral stains left from hard water. You can use leftover white wine to remove lime scale from glass.
To clean a washing machine
Remove hard water stains from the inside of your washing machine by pouring in 1-gal. of white vinegar and running it on the hot water cycle without any clothes inside.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
To clean a shower head, remove the shower head and place in a
small dish. Pour white vinegar to cover the affected area.
After one hour brush the scale off with soft brush
(old tooth brush) and rinse with hot water
how to remove lime and scale deposits in the house PVC pipes?
I agree with Lynn’s tip about the spray and walk away foaming type products. I tried them all and I finally found a winner. My water spots were really severe and a friend told me about Bruce’s heavy duty brown, a paste that you wipe on and rinse off. Now the water just rolls off the glass instead of sticking to it. Ace hardware has it and it’s only like five bucks
# To clean a washing machine: Remove hard water stains from the inside of your washing machine by pouring in 1-gal. of white vinegar and running it on the hot water cycle without any clothes inside.
where do i pour 1gal of white vinegar?
I have also tried using a citrus based product to clean my kettle. (such as TANG). It works well but not as good as vinegar.
How do I remove the white film that come in flower vaces after repeated use. I also get this in my glass coffee pot.
Removing White Film From a Flower Vase
Hi Earlene, we’ve created a guide just for you! See it here: How to Clean White Film from a Flower Vase
How do I remove years of hard water build up from my windows?
I live in an apartment and the exterior windows have been neglected for years. How can I get the water stains off my windows?
What’s leftover wine?