Everybody wants to keep their house looking spic and span with the least amount of effort. Unfortunately, there are certain minerals in your water making your cleaning job harder and harder. Lime scale is one of those pesky minerals making your cleaning job harder. Lime scale forms when limestone collects and hardens in your dishwasher, washing machine, sinks and tubs. Trying to clean this away can often times be difficult and time consuming. Below is a list of ways you can prevent lime scale from forming.
Preventing Lime Scale in Washing Machines
Trying to clean lime scale out of your washing machine can be one of the most difficult tasks in your home. Preventing this build up in your washer is simple. To prevent lime scale from building up in your washing machine, each time you wash a load of clothes, add a teaspoon of baking soda in with your regular laundry detergent. The baking soda neutralizes and breaks down the lime scale preventing it from hardening on your washing machine.
Preventing Lime Scale in Dishwashers
When lime scale builds up in your dishwasher, you have to scrub it out with vinegar. This can leave your hands and dishwasher with a distinct odor. To prevent lime scale from forming in your dishwasher, use a dishwasher detergent with baking soda. It’s very simple to see if your dishwasher detergent has baking soda in it. On the back of the box, it will have baking soda listed along with the major ingredients.
Preventing Lime Scale on Shower Heads
The number one place where lime scale builds up is on shower heads. Even though this is where it builds up the most, it’s the easiest to prevent. To prevent lime scale from building up on your shower heads, unscrew the top off of your shower head and place a water softener tablet inside. Water softener tablets are inexpensive, and can be bought at any home improvement or grocery store. One tablet will generally last between one and two months. Some of the more expensive ones will last up to six months.
Preventing Lime Scale on Drains, Faucets and Pipes
Lime scale on your drains and pipes causes them to have a milky white appearance. All water heaters manufactured after 1980 have a small screw cap on the top where you can insert a water-softening tablet. To prevent limescale in drains, faucets and pipes, unscrew the cap, place the water softening tablet inside and screw the cap back on. It’s very important you only unscrew the cap when your hot water heater is sitting idle. Never unscrew the cap when it is refilling with water. It can cause serious bodily damage.
It’s always easier to prevent a problem rather than letting it get out of control. Lime scale is one of those pesky minerals causing your house to have a dingy look. By following these simple techniques for preventing lime scale build up, it will save you a lot of time when cleaning.
