Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: ca7l0s9 on 19/12/2010 04:09:29

Title: Homemade anti-limescale for washer/dryer?
Post by: ca7l0s9 on 19/12/2010 04:09:29

Hi,

My washer/dryer combo has a tub clean feature that uses Calgon anti-limescale and should be performed regularly. The problem is that I can't find any commercial anti-limescale product in my local supermarket or hardware store. Even the manufacturer's customer support couldn't tell me where to find one and they instead recommend that I just use detergent. I'm not so sure I believe them.

I've read that limescale build up in washing machines could cause it to be less efficient and even malfunction. Is there a homemade limescale remover I can use to clean my 9/6 kg washer/dryer?

Thanks,
Carlos

Title: Homemade anti-limescale for washer/dryer?
Post by: RD on 19/12/2010 13:29:59

Vinegar can remove limescale, but apparently you'll need a helluva lot to descale a washing machine ...

Quote

Remove hard water stains from the inside of your washing machine by pouring in 1-gal. of white vinegar and running it on the hot water cycle without any clothes inside.

http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/kitchen-and-bath/kitchen-and-bathroom-surfaces/how-to-remove-lime-scale/

1 gallon of vinegar seems excessive, maybe it's a typo and should be 1-pint.

Quote

To get rid of stubborn washing machine smells that remain even after one or two service washes, try pouring a cup full of distilled white vinegar into the soap dispenser drawer while it is filling up on a hot wash. Don't put any washing in, just let the machine go through the full cycle. Repeat if necessary.

http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/usage_2.html

Title: Homemade anti-limescale for washer/dryer?
Post by: Don_1 on 19/12/2010 19:20:06

This may work, but you might end up smelling like a chippy!

Formic or citric acid might be a liitle better, as far as smell is concerned.