Posted on June 30th, 2021
Few things can make a bathroom look old and dingy as quickly as limescale. Limescale deposits, which typically present as a white, chalky film or rust-colored stains, are also very difficult to remove – particularly if they’ve been allowed to harden for weeks or months. If you notice the telltale signs of limescale anywhere in your shower, it’s imperative that you act quickly to prevent further damage. Either contact our house cleaners in Fishers, Indiana for help or try the DIY limescale removal methods described below.
What is Limescale?
Though limescale is sometimes confused for mold or mildew, it’s actually comprised of minerals. Otherwise known as calcium carbonate, limescale forms when the minerals present in hard water bond with glass, metal, or ceramic as the water evaporates. Over time, limescale often combines with soap scum to create a thick, crusty buildup that can clog and damage plumbing fixtures.
5 Steps to Quickly and Safely Remove Limescale From Your Shower
Use baking soda and white vinegar (or lemon juice) to remove limescale from your shower door.
For glass shower doors that are only slightly cloudy, a mild acid – like white vinegar or lemon juice – may be all you need to remove limescale. If you’re using lemon juice, soak a cleaning sponge in either freshly-squeezed juice or liquid concentrate. Then, wipe the shower door from top to bottom to coat it in lemon juice. If you’re using white vinegar, spray a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar evenly across the shower door. Regardless of which solution you’re using, wait about ten minutes before scrubbing the shower door with a soft-bristled brush. Then, rinse it with cool water and polish it dry with a microfiber cloth.
To treat shower doors that are heavily encrusted with limescale, you’ll need to use both an acid and an abrasive cleaner. First, make a thick paste by combining two parts of baking soda with one part warm white vinegar. Smear the paste over the glass, making sure to cover the entire shower door. Leave the paste in place for 10 minutes, then use a melamine cleaning sponge to gently but firmly wipe away limescale deposits. (Don’t scrub the glass too forcefully or you’ll risk etching it.) Finally, rinse the area with cool water and assess the clarity of the glass. If the glass is still cloudy, repeat the previous steps until it’s completely clear.
Soak your showerhead in white vinegar to dissolve limescale clogs.
If your shower isn’t flowing as freely as it should, limescale deposits may be clogging the jets inside your showerhead. To remedy this issue, heat a cup of white vinegar in the microwave until the vinegar is steaming hot. Then, put on a pair of thick rubber gloves (to protect your hands from burns) and pour the vinegar into a water-tight bag. Immerse the showerhead in the bag, then secure it in place with a twist tie and let it sit overnight. In the morning, remove the bag and run hot water through the showerhead for at least one minute to flush out loosened debris.
Clean taps with leftover baking soda paste.
Getting limescale off taps and faucets is challenging because these fixtures contain numerous grooves and crevices that are hard to access with cleaning tools. To save yourself some scrubbing, try the following overnight limescale treatment: First, immerse several large cleaning cloths in warm white vinegar. Wring excess moisture out of the cloths, then work a liberal amount of baking soda paste into each one. (If you have any baking soda paste left over after cleaning your shower door, this is a great way to use it up.) Wrap the cloths around your shower taps and faucet, taking care to pack them tightly into hard-to-reach spaces. Secure the cloths with rubber bands and leave them overnight. In the morning, remove the cloths and use an old toothbrush to scrub the taps clean.
Tackle tough grout stains with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
Unfortunately, hard water can also stain tile grout, turning it an unsightly orange shade. To bleach tile grout white again (without damaging it), mix half a cup of baking soda with several tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide in a small container. Then, wipe down tile grout with a damp cloth to remove dust and soap residue before applying peroxide paste along the grout lines. Leave the paste in place for at least 30 minutes to give it time to break down limescale and bleach away stains. Then, scrub the grout with a soft-bristle brush before rinsing the area with cool water.
Take steps to stop limescale from coming back.
Because limescale can damage plumbing and hard surfaces, it’s important to try to prevent it from building up in the first place. The best way to do this is to have a water softener installed to remove minerals from hard water at the source. However, if you don’t have the budget for a water softener, you can use white vinegar to reduce limescale buildup. After you shower, spray your shower door, tiles, and faucets with undiluted white vinegar. Then, use a squeegee and a microfiber cloth to dry the area. As an added bonus, this process will also help stop mold and mildew growth.
Need Help Removing Stubborn Bathroom Stains? Contact Our Experts
If the limescale removal techniques in this guide don’t work for you, we strongly recommend asking a professional cleaner for assistance. Though it’s possible to purchase chemical sprays that dissolve limescale, these potent solutions have been known to damage steel alloy and glass, making them a poor choice for use in the shower. They also produce toxic fumes that can be dangerous if inhaled.
Don’t take the risk of damaging your bathroom (or your lungs) when our affordable maids in Indianapolis can safely tackle limescale, mildew, and other stubborn bathroom stains for you. To get your shower looking brand new again, contact us online or by phone at (317) 721-1105 and instead spend your day relaxing with the kids in Billericay Park.