Living in a very hardwater area

[millymog11]

I live in an area which seems to be very hard water (Buckinghamshire, I realise there might be areas of the UK which have even harder water).

If you have any knowledge /experience of this what do you recommend for:

• laundry detergent
• other laundry products
• cleaning products and methodology generally for hard water areas and
• slightly off topic but other tips like good shampoo or similar for very hardwater areas

Thanks in anticipation

The Cillit Bang limescale cleaner is good on showers and sinks.

I regularly descale the kettle and coffee machine, and run a descaler through the washing machine and dishwasher every now and then.

Thanks SabrinaThwaite what products do you use/think are good? I feel a bit clueless on this

Usually use what’s on offer at the time - have used Calgon, Dylon and Dr Beckman products for the large appliances, and kettle descaler from Amazon.

I don’t use any particular clothes / dishwasher detergents (just what’s on offer), and I’ve tried various shampoos and now tend to stick with Pantene 2 in 1 plus Elvive conditioner.

The Cillit Bang stuff is good on shower screens - you have to keep on top of them. Worth using a squeegee to dry them off after a shower.

If you’re staying long term you could consider having a water softener installed? We haven’t bothered, there is a magnetic scale preventer fitted on our inlet pipe but I have no idea whether this makes any difference (I think it’s unlikely).

I have the same hard water here in Somerset.
Really recommend you get a kettle descaler. It's like a brillo pad thimble (you'll see what I mean when you get one) You drop it in your kettle and it stops it getting so furred up so quickly. https://www.therange.co.uk/cooking-and-dining/kitchen-appliances/kettles/chef-aid-doughnut-kettle-descaler

White vinegar is really good for getting rid of limescale on taps and shower screens.

We have a kettle with a water filter built in, makes tea taste much less limescaley.

I despair of the limescale on our taps though, neither cillit bang limescale or viakil seems up to the job.

I have never bothered with the dishwasher or washing machine and they seem to last a normal lifetime so I shall continue to ignore the effect on those!

I'm going to say install a water softener! We've had ours for years and although we have to buy salt for it we save a fortune on soap, shampoo, washing up liquid etc (so including cost for salt we still save money overall).. No more descaling the shower heads or unsightly marks on the shower door, stainless steel sink and drainer looks brand new. Cleaning is a doddle and I barely need any washing powder! Love it!

Keep your thermostat on your hot water below 60°c. Limescale precipitates out of solution at that temperature.

I use Oust in the kettle, but only about once a month-ish. Once a week or so I cut up a lemon and boil that in the kettle 2 or 3 times and that keeps on top of it. A small bag with white vinegar tied onto the tap will clear it in about an hour, depending how bad it is. Again, just do it fairly regularly.

I run a dishwasher and washing machine cleaner once a month.

I try not to use chemicals all the time, but mostly I try to use vinegar or lemon juice and bicarb on surfaces.