[#1]

Oooh how exciting - I get to ask you domestic goddesses a pressing question - AND be the first person to post in a sparkly new folder!

So here's the thing.

I have an enamelled CAST IRON BATH. It has LIMESCALE on it, and most of the proprietary limescale removing roducts I've bought, say NOT to be used on metal baths. So, what CAN I use to safely remove the limescale build-up. In what dilution should I use whatever you recommend, and what's the best way to apply it and how long should I leave it on for!

Don't want much do I!

Here's hoping someone here can help me.

Mellers

[#2]

Oooh how exciting - I get to ask you domestic goddesses a pressing question - AND be the first person to post in a sparkly new folder!

So here's the thing.

I have an enamelled CAST IRON BATH. It has LIMESCALE on it, and most of the proprietary limescale removing roducts I've bought, say NOT to be used on metal baths. So, what CAN I use to safely remove the limescale build-up. In what dilution should I use whatever you recommend, and what's the best way to apply it and how long should I leave it on for!

Don't want much do I!

Here's hoping someone here can help me.

Mellers

[#3]

Hello Mellers

Now I dont have an enamel bath, but I have read that vinegar is the best thing

If it is just spots of limescale dilute white vinegar 50/50 with warm water and use a cork (from a wine bottle) to apply the solution. Dont leave it on for long -a max of 2-3 mins to soften then rub it with something hard but blunt- like an ice scraper from the freezer for example or the handle of a plastic fork.

I also just had a quick google and found this product http://www.coopersvm.co.uk/freshandgreen/freshgreenbathroom.html which is enamel safe (bottom left of page). It says they sell it in Asda and Waitrose.

The thing I *DO* know is that you have to dry enamel baths after use to prevent limescale build up -maybe worth keeping a very old soft towel especially for that

HTH

Jules xx

[#4]

Hi Mellers,

Depending on how bad the problem is you could try one of those bath puff things, they are very mildly abrasive and I use them for cleaning all manner of things - plus it won't scratch as they're gentle enough to use on your body.

[#5]

My suggestion is vinegar as well. I had an enamel bath in my last property and the water never ran away properly after a shower, used to have a puddle that just sat there which caused a terrible limescale stain. Anyway, after trying EVERYTHING - even stuff that said not for enamel baths - I tried vinegar. Didn't have white vinegar so just used the brown stuff I had in the cupboard. I put the plug in and poured the whole bottle and added a little bit of water. I left it around 30 minutes or so and when I returned, it had almost vanished - just a little bit of rubbing required.

HTH

Michellea

[#6]

Thank you ladies I will give the vinegar a go in the first instance and let you know what happens.

Mellers

[#7]

Hi Mellers

How did it go - any joy with the vinegar? We've got an enamelled bath - which I LOVE because it's sooo deep - but I agree they're hard to keep looking great!

mel xxx

[#8]

Hey Mellybumps

Apologies for not getting back to you sooner but I've had a lot on! lol! Just to update you on the "vinegar for getting limescale off" saga, well I have good news and bad news.

The good news is that blow me down but it actually works! lol! (eventually!)
The bad news is, that not being at all viscose on the vertical sides of the bath (under the taps) where thicker limescale remover would slowly slide down and adhere, the vinegar just slides down and drains away. I need to come up with a way of geting it to stay on the vertical limescale long enough for it to remove the scale. The second problem is that it does take a good few hours to work, but once I had sussed this. Putting the plug in and leaving a pool of it to sit in the well of the sealed plug hole actually shifted a nasty limescale ring after 3 hours. The other downside is of course that my bathroom smells like a chippie!

Any suggestions for how to get the vinegar to stick to a vertical surface long enough would be gratfeully recieved. I'm thinking of dousing some cotton wool in the smelly stuff and then suspending it from the tap at the correct height. Bit of a faff though! lol!

Mellers

[#9]

Hi Mellers

I think I might give it a try then! The only way I can think to keep it on the sides is to rig up some kind of vinegar soaked kitchen roll and clingfilm arrangement! Or buy about a million gallons of vinegar LOL. Glad it mostly worked anyway

Mel xxx

[#10]

I've also noticed that where it only partially desolves the limescale, it leaves a rather nasty white residue. Not sure if that's worse than the original problem or not yet! I've tried a few things to get it off.

Mellers

[#11]

Hey Mellers

I have a tip for getting fluid to stay in contact and it is dead easy!!

Spray the wall to apply the solution (in your case vinegar). Hold a piece of kitchen roll in place then spray again but through it. It then sticks to the bath/ door/ tile and actually does its work without just draining away

Good luck

Jules xx