Heavy duty limescale removal

[ScreamingBeans]

I recently realised that there has been a massive build-up of revolting stained limescale at the front of my loo underneath the rim.

I've always used Harpic limescale remover and never thought there was a problem, but of course it's because I never actually looked at the loo from that angle. There's no limescale anywhere else, so I don't know why it didn't work there, but it didn't.

Anyway what I've done is the following:

Soak Harpic into loo roll and stick on to the limescale then brush with old toothbrush after it's been left for a while
Do the same with Kilrock
Do the same with vinegar and bicarb
Do the same with HG limescale remover

Most of it has come off, but there's still some left around the holes where the flush pushes the water out. I've been soaking this stuff regularly multiple times a day and overnight and still there's bloody limescale.

Any ideas what I can try next?

Had the same with mine. Get a flat knife or screwdriver and just scrape the end off it. Came away in one big chunk. Must warn you though its a bit whiffy !

I use this for very very difficult to clean stains. I empty the toilet bowl first where getting stains off down in that lower part. It is very strong stuff and you need to be very careful but it is very good. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00Q6PYZFO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

In difficult cases I may need to use the stuff twice. I leave it on for hours too.

I would not buy it if I still had small childre at home or I had nowhere to put it where it would be impossible for small children go get it.

I'd put your marigolds on, a pan scourer with a limescale remover applied directly to it (ideally one with a fairly thick consistency rather than a watery spray type one and start scrubbing away

reading your process you’ve made, like lots of people, a Chemistry rookie error.

putiing on sodium bicarb and vinegar at same time means they react together and the bicarb ( which is slightly alkaline) neutralises most of the acid ( vinegar). This reaction produces sodium and acetate ions, carbon dioxide and water. It’s the release of carbon dioxide that produces the fizz you see- literally neutralising the acid. Whilst some of the acid will react with the calcium carbonate ( limescale) , most won’t as the reaction with bicarb happens faster in most cleaning environments . This is why you DO want to use both as a cake baking agent- put the 2 together and you produce nice carbon dioxide bubbles to raise the cake batter.

bicarb by itself doesn’t react chemically with limescale as it’s alkaline not acidic, but it’s a good abrasive and does help to breakdown mould, bacteria - that’s a biological process where it is “fracturing” cells. Its slightly alkaline content also helps that. So bicarb is really useful as a hygienic cleaner. chemical cleaner. You’ll see for instance it can nicely whiten toilet bowls - that’s working on breakdown of built up dirt, moulds, algae’s and bacteria that are down there in all loos.

so, bicarb first- scrub, leave, scrub, rinse. repeat.

then go in with vinegar or whatever acid to react chemically with calcium carbonate ( limescale) . That reaction produces calcium acetate ( or salt of whatever acid used) and carbon dioxide again, and water- you’ll see fizzing but reaction is less of a bomb effect than when acid comes into contact with powered bicarb due to sheer quantity and surface area contact. So be patient, it takes time. Ideally remove the seat and put in bottom of bath and cover with acid/ water mix to leave in direct contact. Treat it a few times as acid will neutralise during process so you keep having to top up acid molecules. I’ve had limescale stuff soaking all day before. Kettles I’d give a full hour and I do ours regularly

Frankly a bit of abrasion also helps during this to keep exposing more surface area. Over time you’ll find the limescale softens as well so you can start actually getting prices off.

any acid will have this effect on limescale. Lemon juice, works well but more expensive. The proprietory limescale removers contain stronger acids to produce stronger reactions - hence why you then need gloves and eye protection

Ok, just sen it’s in the bowl rim , not the seat so clearly can’t soak in bath 🤦‍♀️🤣🤣🤣
id put some taped cloth over the bits effected and pour the acid into that ( vinegar etc) then push it in contact firmly. If you just pour liquid vinegar on it’s going to run off quickly and do nothing. Keep it in place for 6-12 hours and keep re soaking cloth with h the acid .
So, for taps , for instance, I’ll put vinegar into a plastic bag and then attach over tap with a rubber band firmly and leave overnight, that way tap stays in contact with acid

I think the fact the vinegar runs off is why someone thought it’d be a good idea to mix with bicarb to make a plaster 🤷🏼‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Paste not plaster

Ok, I will also add, sorry keep thinking about it 🤣🤣🤣, that ANY limescale remover is an acid , HG or whatever. They’ll have thickeners in to help stop the run off, and stronger acids in more expensive HG type ones. But the chemical reaction is the same. The only way to dissolve limescale is with acid. That’s it.

And if anyone uses my stuff above do not put anything else on it at the same time as you do not want to have some kind of chemical reaction. Do not mix products.

Ooh @Whiteroomjoy that description is brilliant! Off to soak some loo roll in vinegar...

I find the only thing that works is Viakal

Get the black Harpic tablets for limescale. Flush the toilet and let it finish running. Peel the tablet packaging open so you can hold the tablet and rub the tablet along the edge in question, so it leaves a fair bit soaked on to the dampness. Pop the rest of the tablet in the bowl and dispose of the wrapper.

And get a water softener, then you don't have to repeat!