Are you looking to remove white, chalky residue from the kitchen and bathroom sinks? If so, you are dealing with limescale. Known by many names including hard water stains and mineral deposits, limescale needs to be removed periodically. Because of this, many homeowners are exploring steam cleaning as a viable option.

Does steam cleaning remove limescale? Steam cleaning can remove limescale effectively. In fact, not only does the high temperature of the pressurized steam break down limescale and hard water stains, it kills and disinfects up to 99.9% of bacteria and germs in kitchens, toilets, and bathrooms.

With that said, there is more to explore when considering using a steam cleaner to remove limescale. In this post, we will answer the question: does steam cleaning remove limescale and hard water stains? By the end of this post, you should have your kitchen and bathroom sparkling and clean. 

Why and How Limescale Form

Limescale is a hard chalky deposit that builds up and forms crusts inside kettles, sinks, showerheads, and water pipes. It is caused by calcium and magnesium being left behind when hard water evaporates. In simpler terms, limescale happens in places where water is either heated or left standing.

The root cause of limescale is hard water, which is water that contains a higher mineral content. Hard water leaves behind calcium and magnesium deposits when it evaporates from a surface, leaving behind stains. You may deal with limescale more often if you live in a hard water area than if you live in a soft water area.

Did you know that a family of four can create up to 154 lb of limescale per year? This amount can lead to an increase in energy bills because the heating system becomes clogged by limescale. Moreover, limescale may cause damage to appliances as they have to work harder to heat the water sufficiently.

Limescale becomes progressively harder to remove, especially when it has lots of time to accumulate. When this happens, you may have to spend more money on special cleaning products just to remove the limescale. This is why removing limescale is important to the overall cleanliness of your home.

Will Steam Cleaning Remove Limescale (Hard Water Stains)?

When it comes to removing limescale, or hard water stains, steam cleaning is an excellent method to consider. Not only does the high heat from the pressurized steam remove limescale and mineral deposits, but it can also kill and disinfect up to 99.9% of potentially harmful bacteria and germs in your house.

Additionally, steam cleaning is a safe and non-toxic way to remove limescale. In fact, steam cleaners work by only using water and utilizing the high temperature of the pressurized hot steam. Without the use of man-made chemicals, you do not need to worry about any potential chemical contamination.

How to Remove Limescale With a Steam Cleaner

Now that you have more knowledge about limescale and hard water stains, it is time to remove them. One excellent way to do this is by using a steam cleaner. Here is a quick and simple video of how a steam cleaner removes limescale, or hard water stains, from a dishwasher with astonishing results:

1. Prepare Your Steam Cleaner

The first thing you need to do is to prepare your steam cleaner. Fill the steam cleaner tank with water and allow it to heat up and reach the ideal temperature. The best temperature for removing limescale is between 225 to 325 degrees °F. Once you have the machine ready, you are ready to steam clean.

While you can use any type of steam cleaner, special attachments can make the removal process easier. Some steam cleaners come with different attachments for a variety of purposes. For the best results, we recommend using both the nozzle attachment and the brush attachment. 

2. Steam Clean Slowly and Thoroughly

Start by using the nozzle attachment and point the steam directly onto the limescale. Whether you are cleaning taps and bathroom fittings, or kettles and coffee machines, the nozzle attachment is perfect for accurate steam application. Moreover, the precise, pressurized steam will help remove stubborn stains.

After using the nozzle attachment, you can switch to the brush attachment for a more thorough cleaning. The brush attachment is excellent because it allows you to steam and scrub at the same time. Remember, the dirt does not go anywhere when you steam clean, so you need light agitation to remove stubborn limescale.

PRO TIP: Did you see the amazing steam cleaning results in the video above? The steam cleaner used in the video is an excellent product for removing limescale. With different useful attachments to choose from, hard water stains simply have nowhere to hide. You can check the exceptional product on right here.

3. Use Lemon and Vinegar

While there are many limescale removers available, limescale can be easily removed using lemon juice or ordinary white vinegar. Not only do soaking them in natural acids save you more money, they are also more eco-friendly as well. For stubborn stains, you need to soak them for at least an hour, preferably overnight.

Alternatively, you can also combine half vinegar and half water inside a spray bottle, and use it regularly on tiles, basins, baths and taps to keep limescale at bay. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with clean, plain water afterwards. For kettles, fill it with the same solution and leave it overnight. The limescale will come off easily.

4. Rinse With Clean Water

Once you have done all of the steps above, be sure to rinse everything with clean water. This will wash away any excess dirt that is now loose from the objects. One excellent way to rinse any items thoroughly is to do it in a bathtub. You can wash away all the dirt, grime, and hard water stains completely.

Bottom Line

tenAnd there you go, the complete answer to the question: does steam cleaning remove limescale? When it comes to removing mineral deposits and hard water stains, a steam cleaner is an effective tool to get the job done, especially if you use the right model. Hopefully, our article can help make your house cleaner. 🙂