Limescale In Washing Machine

[smurfchops]

I have always used powder in my machine and recently it was clogged with limescale and needed a new part. I am now using liquid clothes wash, is this better for the machine? I also use aTesco liquid Limescale remover in the wash.

[calmck]

Limescale usually due to hard water. I run an empty machine monthly using Calgon

[barry1010]

Liquid detergent is not better for limescale.

[MargoTester]

I use a tablespoon of soda crystals in the detergent drawer every wash to keep limescale at bay

[rowanwitch]

Someone tried to sell me calgon once.... What in Birmingham!!!! You can use the same kettle for 20 years here and it still won't have limescale in it , so a washing machine is never going to get it. Our lovely soft Welsh water from the Elan valley another thing to be grateful for.

[smurfchops]

Thanks all, soda crystals didn’t help in mine, it still needed a new part. I have Tesco Limescale, hope it works.

[nescio]

rowanwitch,
in this part of North Yorkshire, the water is so hard that if you buy a new kettle and boil water in it once, there will be a visible deposit of limescale

[Atheist]

nescio;
We have v hard water in our home in England and where I am now in France. We always use Calgon-type stuff in every wash. I think it must work, as we haven't had w/machine problems for many years.

[smurfchops]

Thanks all, I will get some Calgon.

[gingejbee]

^Calgon is wildly overpriced for what it is...supermarkets and Wilko do own-brand in-wash softeners which do exactly the same job at a fraction of the price.

[smurfchops]

Gingejbee, which would you recommend?

[barry1010]

Calgon is a prevantative, not a limescale remover.
Soda crystals are dirt cheap and will remove limescale as well as prevent build up. Chuck 75g in with every wash if your water is very hard.
You can stop using fabric conditioner, too.
It's a win win

[gingejbee]

They're all pretty much the same (chemistry-wise), so go for the one that's most convenient (if you have a Wilko handy, for instance) or cheapest. Go to the detergent section and look for "laundry water softener"...some are tablet only, others do tablets or powder (use a couple of tablespoons of the latter)...or liquid (we have Waitrose liquid). Even Waitrose's works out at about a third Calgon price.

[gingejbee]

^ yes, barry, soda crystals are dirt cheap, but aren't as effective overall.