The limescale buildup on a water filter pitcher can be difficult to remove. It often requires concentrated solutions or mechanical scrubbing to remove it completely. Not only is it unsightly, but limescale can reduce the effectiveness of your pitcher’s filtration system and even inhibit water flow if left unchecked.
There are a few ways to get rid of limescale from your water filter pitcher. Distilled White Vinegar, Baking soda, elbow grease, and Lime Juice are all effective ways to get limescale out of a water filter pitcher.
What Is Limescale?
Limescale is a buildup of calcium carbonate and other minerals, which accumulate inside water-using appliances over time. It appears as white deposits on surfaces that are in regular contact with hard water.
Removing Limescale From A Water Filter Pitcher (Distilled White Vinegar)
You Will Need
- Distilled White Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Soft Brush
Instructions
Disassemble The Pitcher Element: Disassemble the filter pitcher into its individual components. This will ensure that no limescale is overlooked during the cleaning process. Remove the filter element from inside the pitcher. Make sure to keep track of any small parts so nothing gets lost during the cleaning process.
Fill The Pitcher Halfway With Distilled White Vinegar: Fill the pitcher with equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. Let this solution sit in the pitcher for up to an hour, then pour it out. The acidic nature of the vinegar will help break down tougher limescale deposits.
Sprinkle Baking Soda: Sprinkle some baking soda into the pitcher. This will help to penetrate and loosen any limescale that is still present on the surface or in any hidden crevices. Let this sit for another 15 minutes before continuing.
Scrub: Using a soft-bristled brush or sponge, scrub the pitcher to remove any remaining limescale deposits. Make sure to get into all those hard-to-reach crevices and nooks.
Rinse And Repeat: Rinse the pitcher thoroughly with fresh water. This will ensure that any remaining limescale or vinegar residue is removed before you use the filter pitcher again.
If necessary, repeat this process until all limescale has been removed from the filter pitcher. Once you are satisfied with the results, reassemble and enjoy your clean and limescale-free water filtration system.
How To Identify Limescale?
- Limescale is a mineral buildup that forms on the inside of water filter pitchers.
- It appears as a yellowish, white, chalky substance and can be identified by its rough texture.
- It typically forms in areas where water has been stagnant and undisturbed for an extended period of time.
- If you fill up a glass with filtered water from your pitcher, you may also notice a cloudy appearance and/or an unpleasant taste.
- Limescale buildup can also cause decreased filtration efficiency and may even clog up the filter completely, making it unable to do its job properly.
Prevent Limescale Build-Up
- Installing a water softener or filtration system
- Fill the pitcher with filtered or distilled water instead of tap water. This is particularly effective in regions that have hard tap water, and it can provide better-tasting water as well.
- Regularly cleaning and maintaining your water filter pitcher
- Testing the water regularly for hardness levels
- Adding a scale inhibitor to the water supply
- Installing an anti-scale device or descaler
- Turning down the temperature of hot water heaters to reduce limescale formation.
- Using vinegar or citric acid to descale water heaters, pipes, and kettles
- Keeping an eye on the pH level of your water supply.
- Avoid using soap products with high concentrations of calcium or magnesium carbonate.
- Add a conditioner to the water tank if you have an electric water heater.
- Replacing corroded pipes and fixtures to reduce limescale buildup.
- Invest in a whole-house filtration system with a bypass valve if you experience high limescale levels throughout your home.
- Make sure to pour out any remaining water after use and store the pitcher in a dry area with adequate air circulation.
Other Options
Baking Soda Solution: Create a paste with baking soda and water, then use it to scrub away the limescale. To make the paste, mix baking soda and warm water until you get a thick consistency. Use a sponge or cloth to apply the mixture onto the affected area, then allow it to rest for a few minutes. Use the sponge or cloth to scrub away at the limescale, and rinse the pitcher with cold water when finished.
Lemon Juice: Squeeze fresh lemon juice into your filter pitcher, then fill it up with warm water. Allow the mixture to sit for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it out and scrubbing away the limescale.
Denture Cleaning Tablets: Drop one denture cleaning tablet into your filter pitcher and wait for it to dissolve completely. Fill the pitcher up with warm water, then rinse it after 10 minutes of soaking. When finished, use a sponge or cloth to clean off any remaining limescale.
Commercial Cleaning Products: If you don’t want to make your own cleaning solutions, there are products available that can help get rid of limescale in filter pitchers. These products are designed to break down stubborn buildup and can be found in most supermarkets. Make sure to read the directions on the package before use, as products vary and can cause damage if used incorrectly.
Which Filtration System Helps Remove Limescale?
- Reverse osmosis systems
Reverse osmosis systems - Ion exchange water softeners
Ion exchange water softeners - De-scaling systems
De-scaling systems - Magnetic and electronic water conditioners
Magnetic and electronic water conditioners - Electronic descalers and catalytic converters
Electronic descalers and catalytic converters - Filtration systems with submicron filters
Filtration systems with submicron filters - Ultrafiltration
Ultrafiltration
FAQs
What Makes Limescale Such A Persistent Problem?
- High levels of calcium and magnesium in water
- Hard water that has a pH level above 7
- The accumulation of limescale on surfaces due to evaporation
- Poor maintenance leads to a build-up
- Heat, which increases the rate of a chemical reaction between hardness minerals and other substances in the water
- Inadequate filtration, allowing limescale to remain in the system.
Is Tap Water Contaminated With Limescale Harmful To Your Health?
No, limescale itself is not harmful to your health. However, it can affect the taste of your water and make it less palatable. It can also cause appliances to wear down faster and become less efficient due to mineral deposits in pipes and on surfaces.
Conclusion
Limescale can be a constant problem in hard water areas and needs to be managed properly, it can be done with some patience. Installing the right filtration system as well as taking preventative maintenance measures, such as regularly cleaning your filter pitcher can help reduce limescale.
Meet Nigel Pearson, a water filter enthusiast with a background in molecular biology. He’s all about making sure we have safe drinking water, and he’s got a bunch of interests that tie into it – think science, technology, plants, and genetics.
Imagine someone who loves learning how living things work on a tiny level – that’s Nigel. He’s studied how genes and molecules come together to make life happen. But what really caught his attention is how living things adapt to their surroundings.
Nigel didn’t stop at just learning about this stuff – he decided to use his smarts to help solve a big problem: how to get clean drinking water for everyone. He writes cool blog posts that explain tricky science things in simple words. You’ll get to read about stuff like how plants can help clean water, or how new inventions are changing the way we purify water.
But it’s not just about science and tech for Nigel. He truly cares about people and their need for safe water. Every blog post he writes shows how much he wants to make a difference. By sharing his knowledge, she wants to get more people thinking and caring about clean drinking water.