bridge too far Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 Serious answers please, guys The water is very hard here and I'm having real problems getting limescale off the rim of the toilets (see, I know my place). I've tried everything - Cillit Bang, Ecover limescale remover etc. etc. But the problem is that they are all liquids or runny gels and don't stay on the limescale long enough to break it down. Does anyone know of a paste that will stay on the limescale to do the work? Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spudders Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 (edited) Get an old towel, cloth, etc and soak it in whatever cleaner you want to use and leave it lying over it. The stuff being soaked in the cloth should mean it stays on the limescale and soaks in. Also, vinegar is good for removing limescale. Failing that, would actually blocking the toilet with something and then filling it right up with water and bleach and leaving it for a while do the trick? Edited 28 May, 2011 by Spudders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Gabriel's Halo Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 Get an old towel, cloth, etc and soak it in whatever cleaner you want to use and leave it lying over it. The stuff being soaked in the cloth should mean it stays on the limescale and soaks in. Also, vinegar is good for removing limescale.[/QUOTE] So is lemon juice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 28 May, 2011 Author Share Posted 28 May, 2011 Get an old towel, cloth, etc and soak it in whatever cleaner you want to use and leave it lying over it. The stuff being soaked in the cloth should mean it stays on the limescale and soaks in. Also, vinegar is good for removing limescale. Failing that, would actually blocking the toilet with something and then filling it right up with water and bleach and leaving it for a while do the trick? Thanks for this. I don't think the towel thing would work because the limescale is underneath the rim and so I think gravity would make the towel fall in the water. I don't think I want to try blocking the toilet. But I will try vinegar and lemon juice (after all, that's what's in most liquid limescale removers I think) but again, I think, because they're liquid they'll just drip down. I wonder if I can concoct some sort of paste with lemon / vinegar in it. We have similar problems with water pooling in one corner of the shower but the Ecover stuff shifts that because it's a flat horizontal surface so it doesn't run off. But I have noticed that the water in the shower and in the bog is quite rusty coloured. Should I worry about that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGTL Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 Buy a water softener. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack rill Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 Marigold's on Girl, white scotch pad and Jiff, Don't be a pussy like the two posters above Get your hands in there, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 28 May, 2011 Author Share Posted 28 May, 2011 Buy a water softener. Sod that for a game of soldiers! We're looking to put the house on the market soon so I'm looking for a cheap and easy fix! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spudders Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 (edited) I don't think the towel thing would work because the limescale is underneath the rim and so I think gravity would make the towel fall in the water Is there not a gap (where the water comes out) that you could stuff/wedge the towel into? Not sure the shape of your toilet but with mine there’s no part of it that I couldn’t get a soaked towel to stay covering if I needed to I have noticed that the water in the shower and in the bog is quite rusty coloured. Should I worry about that? I’d be worried if my shower water was rusty coloured (unless I lived in a third world country in which case I guess it’s the norm). I’d imagine it would mean one of the follow; 1) There is something wrong with your water supply (if the shower water comes direct from the supply) 2) Someone is trying to kill you by adding chemicals to your water supply (have you upset anyone recently?) 3) Your shower may be supplied from a big tank in the attic and it also contains several dead pigeons slowly decomposing and making your water look a rusty colour 4) The pipes in your home (or outside, that supply your home) are old and are starting to rust Edited 28 May, 2011 by Spudders just because mack rill accepts poor spelling, doesn't mean I have to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spudders Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 Marigold's on Girl, white scotch pad and Jiff, Don't be a pussy like the two posters above Get your hands in there, It does not surprise me at all that you still use Jiff in your neck of the woods, but for the rest of society not still in the 80's remember we all use Ciff now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 28 May, 2011 Author Share Posted 28 May, 2011 The shower is from a direct feed - is that the same feed as the toilets (it's the upstairs ones that are affected the most)? The water coming out of the shower and in the bogs isn't rusty - the mark that's left is. I don't think it will be the outside pipes - the house is only 8 years old But you may be onto something with the upsetting people suggestion - it could be one of the hard-line right-wingers on here I suppose. Anyway - I'll try all the suggestions so thanks everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deeps Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 Try the new product - Domestos Zero (Limescale Remover). It is in a black bottle. It clings to the sides - all you should need to do is make sure that under the rim is dry, squirt it, leave 30 minutes and brush it. You can get it in Tesco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1976_Child Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 It may not be as hard as it thinks. What you want to do is cross your arms and stare it down. Look the water straight in the eye and don't flinch. Chances are it is just all bravado and underneath the 'tough' exterior it is actually a wimp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spudders Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 bft, I think what would make this thread complete, is if you could add before and after pictures of your toilet. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 28 May, 2011 Author Share Posted 28 May, 2011 bft, I think what would make this thread complete, is if you could add before and after pictures of your toilet. Thanks. Before or after flushing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 We have similar problems with water pooling in one corner of the shower but the Ecover stuff shifts that because it's a flat horizontal surface so it doesn't run off. But I have noticed that the water in the shower and in the bog is quite rusty coloured. Should I worry about that? I experienced some rusty coloured water with a metallic smell in Thailand. That was definitely something to worry about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spudders Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 I think maybe after flushing, but it's really your decision Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 Drink some bleach and then p*ss it off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trader Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 This stuff is absolute magic - beats anything you'll find in a supermarket http://www.scruffite4descaling.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spudders Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 Drink some bleach and then p*ss it off. Why would a toilet be p*ssed off with btf drinking bleach? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu0x Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 Mix nitroglycerine with plain flour until you get a paste, you'll find it very effective at removing all traces of limescale! hth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Super Saint Posted 28 May, 2011 Share Posted 28 May, 2011 Put salt tablets into the cistern once you've got on your knees and scrub the limescale off. It will not come back again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 29 May, 2011 Share Posted 29 May, 2011 Soda crystals in the cistern repeated after each flush. I used to clean my exhaust using caustic soda but not sure it's deemed safe nowadays, worked a treat though. Those women on tv reckon there's no substitute for marigolds and a damp sponge sprinkled with salt iirc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 29 May, 2011 Share Posted 29 May, 2011 If you cleaned them regularly the limescale wouldn't build up. This says a lot about your standards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint francis Posted 29 May, 2011 Share Posted 29 May, 2011 Odd that lemon juice should get rid of lime scale, obviously competitive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 29 May, 2011 Author Share Posted 29 May, 2011 My daughter in law has today suggested a paste made of bicarb of soda and vinegar. She quite likes me so I reckon it's worth a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelman Posted 29 May, 2011 Share Posted 29 May, 2011 (edited) Go to a plumber's merchants and ask them. I just rented a house out and had the same problem, but the plumber got this stuff (forgotten what it is called) that cleared it up properly. Failing that, you can use caustic soda. B&Q sell some proper stuff rather than the weak stuff - no point using the weak stuff as it doesn't do the job. Very easy to neutralise as well, using citric acid, not that you would need to in this case. But if you ever do use it, caustic soda is soapy to feel. Once you have added citric acid, you know when it is neutralised when it stops being soapy, and citric acid turns it salty (or if you use too much, then it will be citricy). Caustic soda very toxic, citric acid isn't, so best to use too much citric rather than too little. Just in case you want to clean out your kettle!!! One more thing: don't mix caustic soda and chlorine as you'll get hydrochloric acid (I think) and the vapours are pretty nasty. Edited 29 May, 2011 by angelman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 30 May, 2011 Author Share Posted 30 May, 2011 Well the bicarb/vinegar is now a WIP so I'll let you all know how it goes. Hey - ain't life exciting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbury Posted 30 May, 2011 Share Posted 30 May, 2011 Well bicarb and vinegar seems a relatively organic choice, but try to think of the future water supply when using 'black cap' final solution stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 30 May, 2011 Author Share Posted 30 May, 2011 It worked! Left the paste on for about 3 hours and then used a pan scourer (not a wire one) and off it came. A very very cheap and easy solution and I can now sit down and enjoy the footie and tennis with a clear conscience and a clear bog. The pan scourer is back on the kitchen sink, ready to do its proper job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dark Sotonic Mills Posted 30 May, 2011 Share Posted 30 May, 2011 It worked! Left the paste on for about 3 hours and then used a pan scourer (not a wire one) and off it came. A very very cheap and easy solution and I can now sit down and enjoy the footie and tennis with a clear conscience and a clear bog. The pan scourer is back on the kitchen sink, ready to do its proper job. That'd be giving the rest of the family E-Coli then... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 30 May, 2011 Author Share Posted 30 May, 2011 That'd be giving the rest of the family E-Coli then... Nah - the Spanish cucumbers took care of that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dark Sotonic Mills Posted 30 May, 2011 Share Posted 30 May, 2011 Nah - the Spanish cucumbers took care of that I'm not surprised. This is where they grow them... and this is how the workers live... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelman Posted 30 May, 2011 Share Posted 30 May, 2011 well I guess at least the workers will be nice and warm and dry. but seriously, they are interesting photos. presume the workers are Tunisian/Moroccan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dark Sotonic Mills Posted 30 May, 2011 Share Posted 30 May, 2011 well I guess at least the workers will be nice and warm and dry. but seriously, they are interesting photos. presume the workers are Tunisian/Moroccan. Actually a lot are Romanian, and legal. It's been a hell of a scandal for ages. I have been going to the area regularly for over thirteen years and have a lot of friends in the region. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelman Posted 30 May, 2011 Share Posted 30 May, 2011 didn't really think about the scale of the greenhouses. Really quite "impressive" (I guess that that is the word). I guess that they are labour intensive - how many "slaves" work there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dark Sotonic Mills Posted 30 May, 2011 Share Posted 30 May, 2011 didn't really think about the scale of the greenhouses. Really quite "impressive" (I guess that that is the word). I guess that they are labour intensive - how many "slaves" work there? That's just a small proportion of them. Try looking on Google Earth - 36°53'29.19"N - 2°14'22.36"W at an altitude of 30km. As to the workers. God only knows. They are all 'casual' and have to wait around on roadsides every morning to see if anyone will hire them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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