Usually kitchen appliances, as well as washing machines suffer greatly from lime scale build up. The causes of lime scaling vary somewhat, but generally it is to do with the chlorination and mineralisation of tap water. Lime scale build up will eventually have a detrimental effect on your appliances’ performance, possibly cause malfunctions too. Removing lime scale is not the easiest of things, especially from internal parts of appliances but there are effective ways to make it happen.

Removing lime scale from washing machines and dishwashers

Removing lime scale deposits from your washing machine or dishwasher innards is best done using lemon juice and vinegar; acids are usually the most effective way to remove lime scale. When your washing machine is lime scale free, you will experience better, more efficient performance and reduction of power and water consumption.

For the washing machine:

-mix equal (and generous) parts of lemon juice and white undiluted vinegar in a plastic cup;

-place the cup in your washing machine;

-run an empty cycle (no clothing) on high temperature;

-repeat the process every couple of months and lime scale deposits will be minimised notably;

For the dishwasher:

-mix the same amount of vinegar and lemon juice as instructed above;

-pour the liquid at the bottom of the dishwasher, not where the detergent usually goes;

-run the dishwasher on full cycle with no dishes in it;

-again, repeat the process every so often to minimise future lime scale deposits;

Removing lime scale from kettles and coffee makers

Removal of lime scale deposits from kettles and coffee machines is relatively easy and straightforward, since these two appliances are ready made water containers. A kettle or coffee maker that is free of any lime scale deposits will be more efficient and healthier to use.

For the kettle:

-mix (or use either) lemon juice and/or vinegar;

-fill up a quarter of the kettle with the acid and let it sit for an hour or so;

-in an hour’s time top up the kettle with fresh water and boil it;

-pour out the boiled water and acid before it cools down;

-rinse the inside of the kettle repeatedly with cold water until everything is gone;

For the coffee maker:

-mix the vinegar and lemon juice and pour it in the water compartment of the machine;

-wait for an hour and run a brewing cycle with no coffee;

-pour out the gunk and repeat the process another two times;