Limescale Remover for Washing Machines

[Urban Ayisha]

sorry if this topic has been bought up before, but does anyone know of an effective, safe and natural limescale remover for washing machines? what do calgon tablets contain and is it harmful? (apart from loads of excess packaging!!) i live in an extremely hardwater area (our brita filters only last a couple of weeks!)

[ina]

I would try adding a bit of vinegar to the final rinse - makes your washing softer as well as reduces the danger of limescale build up. If you have a lot in it already, you might need an empty run with lots of vinegar in it to clear it out.

[Urban Ayisha]

thankyou! any particular type of vinegar?

[snapdragon]

I use Borax in the washing powder space and plenty of white vinegar in the rinse / softener pot - wash through some towels (or nappies or whatever you put on a hotter wash) borax cleans out old detergent build up and vinegar kills the scale
probly also put half a mug of vinegar into the drum to catch any on the heating elements as you have very hard water

[baldowrie]

thankyou! any particular type of vinegar?

the cheapest!

White if your using it for an extra rinse.

I used to by a cheap bottle a month when I lived in lincolnshire, very hard water area, just do an empty wash and pour the entire bottle of vinegar in.

[Annpan]

You can get white vinegar in bulk online, or somepeople get it from asian supermarkets. You will spend too much if you try to get it from T***o, and malt vinegar (the brown stuff) is abit too stinky, though it still does the job.

I remember someone on here talking about a magnetic device that you put around your mains pipe and it stopes the limescale. I think it was Thomzo (zoe). It is relatively cheap compared with the price of calgon.

[Urban Ayisha]

excellent thankyou all!

[snapdragon]

I can't seem to find the white vinegar in large bottles out here in the sticks so I bought some from This Place
£3.70 or thereabouts for the bulk 5 litre non-food keg

[yugogypsy]

Hi

Another one is citric acid crystals, available at the chemist, also works well in dishwashers for removing stains and odors

Lois

[Thomzo]

I remember someone on here talking about a magnetic device that you put around your mains pipe and it stopes the limescale. I think it was Thomzo (zoe). It is relatively cheap compared with the price of calgon.

Hi
You're right it was me. I am just about to order one for my Mum. They are sold through a network of agents so we'd have to find out if there is an agent near you. This is their website.

http://www.ecoflow.com/Inventory/Navision/1006

I must say that I was really sceptical before I bought one but now I am totally converted. They are MUCH cheaper than any other form of water softner, don't use any chemicals, salt or electricity, are dead easy to fit and they really do work.

Zoe

[snapdragon]

.........I must say that I was really sceptical before I bought one but now I am totally converted. They are MUCH cheaper than any other form of water softner, don't use any chemicals, salt or electricity, are dead easy to fit and they really do work.

Zoe

I have a device called 'international wizard' it's just a magnet which clips on to the cold water pipe -unfortunately It wont fit onto the mains water pipe below the washing machine (and kitchen tap) fittings - but seems to be working on the upstairs pipes

[Chickenlady]

Thanks for that link, Snapdragon - what a great site!

[hedgewizard]

I use a pozanni black box - another electromagnetic hooberry - but I still run a couple of tablespoons of citric acid on an empty cycle now and again to break any gunk in the actual machine up. The EM devices only work within the piping system, you see.

[snapdragon]

Thanks for that link, Snapdragon - what a great site!

I liked it - and was pleased when my package arrived and I found that the packaging is very basic and boxed in re-used supermarket cartons

[mrsflibble]

DO NOT USE CALGON! save your money and you could buy a new washer every 2 years!!!