How to remove very stubborn limescale?

Author: Madonna Price  |  Last update: Friday, July 4, 2025

We have put together 5 DIY cleaning hacks you could use to clean hard water stains and other issues.
  1. Baking Soda and Vinegar Combination. ...
  2. Vinegar-soaked Paper Towels For Faucets. ...
  3. Use CLR for Limescale. ...
  4. Vinegar Spray For Glass Shower Doors. ...
  5. Your Fluoride Toothpaste!

How to get rid of hardened limescale?

The good news is that it is possible to remove limescale from a bath.
  1. Make a thick paste with equal parts of white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.
  2. Apply this paste to any hard water stains.
  3. Leave the paste for around 15 minutes.
  4. Rinse and repeat as necessary.
  5. For really stubborn limescale marks leave the paste on overnight.

What is the most powerful limescale remover?

HG limescale remover concentrate is the ideal strong limescale remover for removing stubborn limescale. This heavy duty limescale remover also removes rust and urine stains as well as verdigris.

How do you get rid of limescale permanently?

White vinegar

The mild acid can dissolve limescale and disinfect. All you need to do is pour a generous amount of white vinegar down your toilet bowl, let it soak in overnight, then scrub with a brush. Then flush to rinse, and voilà, your toilet is back to its former whiteness!

What is the best cleaner for stubborn limescale?

Removing limescale with vinegar

The best method is to soak a cotton cloth or microfiber cloth in vinegar or citric acid, then rub it on surfaces affected by limescale, such as fittings. Leave it to work for some time or overnight, then rinse thoroughly with clean, cold water. Lastly dry everything with a clean cloth.

How To Clean Limescale on Taps Naturally

What eats away limescale?

Lemon juice and vinegar are both acidic, meaning that they can break down the calcium carbonate that limescale is made from. Here's how you can use these green cleaners to your advantage. It's worth noting that we're talking about distilled white vinegar here, not malt vinegar.

What chemical dissolves limescale?

Hydrochloric acid has traditionally been used to remove limescale. It is classified as a Class 8 Dangerous Good with highly corrosive properties.

Is CLR better than vinegar?

So, which one should you go for? It really depends on what kind of cleaning you need to do. If you're dealing with really tough, built-up mineral deposits, especially in your bathroom or kitchen, CLR might be the way to go. It's strong enough to handle stains that vinegar might struggle with.

Can limescale be permanent?

Despite the 'permanent' part of the name, however, we'll see that there are still ways in which this hardness can be removed as well. How is limescale formed? The formation of limescale is largely a consequence of the presence of soluble calcium bicarbonate in water.

Does WD-40 really remove limescale?

You can also spray WD 40 in the bathroom or sink to deal with the same issue. It will get rid of hard water stains and limescale and make your toilet look much brighter.

What is the best solvent for limescale?

To effectively remove limescale, particularly in bathrooms, kitchens, and appliances, the following chemicals and products are known for their effectiveness:
  • Citric Acid. ...
  • Vinegar (Acetic Acid) ...
  • Hydrochloric Acid (Muriatic Acid) ...
  • Phosphoric Acid. ...
  • Sulfamic Acid. ...
  • Lactic Acid. ...
  • Oxalic Acid. ...
  • Citric Acid.

What is no 1 against limescale?

Viakal No1 Against Limescale* Spray Classic 750ml features anti-droplet technology for enhanced cleaning efficacy. Suitable for bathroom sanitary ware including sinks, bathtubs, bidets, and showers. Also effective on taps, chrome surfaces, and kitchen sinks.

Does coke get rid of limescale?

Vinegar essence is therefore a better choice for harder-to-treat limescale – but it should always be diluted with water. Always wear gloves when cleaning with vinegar to protect your skin from the acid. A special tip: Coca Cola – this fizzy drink contains phosphoric acid which also removes limescale and urine scale.

How long does it take for vinegar to dissolve limescale?

Limescale can be easily dissolved using a mild acid solution, such as diluted white vinegar. For example, when descaling a kettle, simply fill the kettle with equal parts vinegar and water and leave for an hour before boiling and then letting stand for another 20 minutes.

What happens if you leave CLR on too long?

If CLR Grease & Oil Remover is left on a surface for too long it begins to dry and can be very difficult to remove.

Is Zep or CLR better?

Customers say the Zep Calcium, Lime, and Rust Stain Remover is an effective and cost-efficient alternative to more expensive brands like CLR. Many users appreciate its ability to tackle tough stains, particularly in toilets and on various surfaces affected by hard water.

What to use when CLR doesn't work?

8 CLR Alternatives To Remove Rust And Limescale
  1. #2 Lemon Juice. Lemon juice is another natural cleaner that does an awesome job, especially on limescale. ...
  2. #3 Baking Soda. ...
  3. #4 Hydrogen Peroxide. ...
  4. #5 Coca-Cola. ...
  5. #6 Muriatic Acid.

What removes heavy limescale?

Both vinegar and lemon juice will do a great job of removing any limescale deposits and freshening up your machines' innards at the same time.

What is the best cleaner for hard water limescale?

Final Verdict. The best overall hard water stain remover is CLR Brilliant Bath Foaming Action Cleaner.

How long to let lime away sit?

How long should I leave LIME-A-WAY® on stains? For a heavily soiled surface, allow about 1-2 minute contact time; then follow label instructions for wiping & rinsing. The steps may need to be repeated depending on the soil intensity.

What lifts limescale?

White Vinegar and warm water – areas of limescale on your tap can be cleaned with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Depending on how stubborn the limescale is you may only need to wipe the tap over with the solution or you may need to lay a cloth to soak on it for a few hours.

What is better than CLR?

Some people say that CLR is better at getting rid of really stubborn stains and discoloration that other cleaners leave behind. But for everyday cleaning of limescale and hard water stains, many people find that Lime Away works just fine and is nicer to use because it doesn't smell as strong.

Does Toothpaste remove limescale?

Removing limescale with toothpaste

You can also use toothpaste and an old toothbrush to remove lime residue from taps. Coat the deposits with toothpaste, leave it to work for a short time, then scrub off with the toothbrush and rinse with water.

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