Lime Scale Build-up Solution - natural, edible, no smell, and EASY!

Lime Scale Build-up Solution - natural, edible, no smell, and EASY TO DO

The conversation went something like this:
I have a lime build-up problem on my .......(toilet, shower tile, faucet, teapot, etc)
that I hate to use those awful smelling cleaners on like "the works" etc (or in the case of food dishes like the teapot - I just
can't get clean) but I can't find anything natural to clean it. Do you have any ideas?

Yes, I do. It really is easy and you really shouldn't have to have those toxic chemicals to clean with. It's a shame that
simple food grade cleaning isn't being marketed in the grocery store cleaning aisle, but it's not patentable or 'brand-able"
so they don't do it. Great Grandma knew - but now we have "tide" and "the works" etc - it's not a fair trade. :-(

You may have heard remedies like vinegar or coke soda, and they work sometimes, but if it's really bad or if you want really simple and easy, there's another way.

Citric Acid is a food grade item that is commonly used in food to balance the ph of things like fruit juices to retain color and
reduce bacterial growth.
It is a type of vitamin c that comes from citrus products.

And it works amazingly on lime scale. It's really a science lesson in ph. neutralizing - acid neutralizes alkaline.

Citric acid - (or any acid including those noxious chemicals in toilet cleaners like "the works")
neutralizes - balances the ph to neutral of whatever it is touching that is opposite of it's ph.
Lime scale - which is calcium carbonate having a high alkaline ph.
By neutralizing, it dissolves the adhesion of the alkaline lime scale to the solid surface.
If you apply a highly acidic substance to a highly alkaline surface it will neutralize the alkalinity by dissolving the alkaline
substance into the water solution.

Remember the water pan grandma kept on the woodstove all winter as a humidifier for dry winter air? That's why she
would put vinegar in the water, to neutralize the alkaline water and make it not build up.  But if she forgot, the pan had a just about impossible to remove lime shale that she was stuck with.
That's also why water softeners are used. Salt neutralizes the water and leaves it slightly acidic so your water doesn't build up in your water heater and shower head and your washer. Acidic water makes your laundry soap work easier.
But we need an alkaline ph in our body to be healthy, diseases only manifest in acidic body systems - so soft water isn't
good to drink. Neither are soft drinks - same reason. They are acidic.

Ok - enough science,
Back to cleaning.

What to do? You need an easy and cheap way to acidify your lime build-up.
The common natural way is to use vinegar as a cleaner.
But vinegar is only 4% acidic. It's a weak solution. It works, if you clean very regularly to prevent buildup.
But what about those times when you need something that will dissolve that hard lime scale buildup?
You need stronger acidity. Concentrated acidity. But nobody wants those awful smelling fumes found in too many brand
name chemical cleaners.
A natural concentrated acidity is Citric Acid. Concentrated citrus acid - think tart lemon acidity.

Simply take some of this granular white powder (it looks like sugar and tastes like a tart lemon)
mix it with water (or vinegar if you want added kick)
and spray it on your lime scale. Let it sit - you gotta give it time to do it's dissolving work - then wipe it off.
Yes, it's that easy! Let science work for you!

Practical applications:
Toilet bowl lime scale - sprinkle citric acid around the bowl and into the water - 1/8th cup or so depending the lime scale
quantity. do it at night just before you go to bed so it can sit all night. Then wipe it off in the morning with a simple
brushing. It will literally wipe away. Spray areas not covered in water with tile spray below.

Shower tile - do the same but you'll need a spray bottle. So dissolve 1/4 cup or so into 8 oz of water or vinegar and spray
it on - leave it sit - wash it off later. Again, time is your friend - leaving it on overnight is great.

Teapot or water pan - fill with water, add a tablespoon or so of citric acid, bring to a boil - let sit till cool or longer - several
hours is best. Rinse and wash the residue off with your dishrag.

Need citric acid? You might have some in your cupboard, if you make jam or wine. It is commonly used to retain fruit
color in the jam and ph balance wine

If you need some, or if you want a better bulk price for a larger amount than you'll find in the grocery store for jam canning
or wine making,
We have a 2 pound quart jug or a 4 pound half gallon jug available . It is food grade, you can use it for cleaning and jam. :-)
Find it at www.PamperMeNaturally.weebly.com in the DIY section
There you have it - cleaning tip for the day.
Happy easy cleaning!
​Suzanne