Does Coke Clean Limescale?

Did you know that Coca-Cola is highly acidic? And while some of you love to drink it, did you know you can also clean with it?

Limescale removal is possibly one of the hardest cleaning tasks homeowners face.I t is notoriously tricky to combat, especially in some parts of the country where hard water is more prevalent. Sometimes it's so bad it can seem almost impossible to remove.

What is Limescale & How does it form?

Limescale is a white, hard, sometimes chalky substance you find around taps, on shower screens, and inside your kettle.

It's caused by hard water, which is created when rainwater percolates through sedimentary rocks, (like limescale and chalk). When it does, it collects calcium and magnesium carbonates, giving it a high mineral content which results in hard water.

Is Limescale bad for you?

It may surprise you to hear that limescale is actually not harmful to your health. The calcium and magnesium minerals it contains are those that the body naturally stores and uses for all sorts of processes.

However, it's not all good news - hard water can have negative effects too. Not only can it dry out your skin but it can also impact our homes. Limescale around taps may look unsightly, but this isn't the real problem - it's hard water in appliances such as the dishwasher, washing machine and kettles you need to watch out for - it can even develop in water pipes and block them! Limescale will build up over time and prevent all sorts of appliances from performing at their best - it may even stop them from working completely if left untreated.

Homemade Limescale Removers

Is limescale taking over your home? Don't panic, it is treatable.

Limescale removal can be hard, especially without the right products and tools. It may surprise you to hear that some of the best things to use to treat it are 100% natural acids, which happen to also be super cheap - good news for your budget!

Some of the best limescale treatments are:

• Lemon - contains citric acid which breaks limescale down.
• Vinegar - diluted acetic acid attacks limescale.
• Bicarbonate of soda - when teamed with vinegar, baking soda produces a fizzing reaction that can break down almost anything, including limescale.
• Coke - contains phosphoric acid which can not only remove rust, but also limescale.

Is Coca Cola good for cleaning?

Coca-Cola isn't just a popular beverage — its mild acidity makes it useful for commode-cleaning purposes. Are you looking for a way to deal with toilet limescale? Buy a can of coke and watch it work its magic.

Why? Because of its phosphoric acidity at a pH level of 2.8, it makes Coca-Cola comparable to fresh lemon juice, vinegar and wine. This means that instead of ingesting the sweet liquid you could use it as a cost-effective means for house cleaning.

For example, notice those white stains on your kettle?

Descaling your kettle of limescale has never been easier thanks to Coca-Cola. Just boil a kettle full of Coke and leave to stand for 30 minutes.

While other cleaning products may do a better job of restoring a shine to the showerhead, Coca-Cola can effectively unclog the head when other products fail. If you notice your showerhead dispensing water unevenly or sending water shooting in multiple directions, its pores are likely clogged. In cases like these, Coca-Cola can save the day by removing rust and buildup.

Why is coke good for cleaning?

Coca-Cola contains three acids: citric acid, tartaric acid and (most prevalently) phosphoric acid. All of these acids work together to remove rust and other deposits, but the phosphoric acid is especially useful because it contains a stronger acidic concentration than those commonly found in natural cleaning products. Other colas such as Pepsi contain similar ingredients and can serve the same cleaning purpose.

Fun Fact: Phosphoric acid is found in most dark-colored sodas. Our body needs moderate amounts of phosphorus to help with kidney function and energy production. It is possible to have TOO much phosphorous but there's no need to worry unless you're chugging a few liters of pop every single day.

How to use coke to clean limescale:

To dissolve rust and other minerals, the Coca-Cola will need time to soak the material.

Rinsing

After soaking, you will need to rinse the showerhead and wipe it down with a sponge or cloth. Although the acids in Coca-Cola can serve your cleaning needs, the sugar can leave you with a sticky mess. To prevent this, rinse the head with warm water and give the surface a quick scrub.

Here are the 14 ways Coca-Cola can be used for to clean your home:

1. Oil cleaner

Do you have oil stains on the garage floor? It so, for a ‘no scrubbing required’ approach, simply pour Coca-Cola on the oil mark, leave for a couple of hours and then hose off.

2. Marker stains

Did your kids leave pen marks on the carpet again? To remove with Coke apply a small amount of the soft drink on the stain and scrub. Then use soapy water on the coke and you'll see your carpet back to normal.

3. Clean the toilet

Coke is notorious for its ability to clean the toilet bowl. To clean it, pour coke around the inside of the toilet bowl and leave for an hour or so. Then flush and use the toilet brush to remove.

4. Rust

For rust stains on smaller items you can let them soak in a glass of Coke overnight and just give a scrub in the morning as the Coke will makes the rust easier to clean.

5. Blackened pots

Burnt blackened pots and pans can take hours of scrubbing. So to make it easier on your hands, pour a can of Coke in the pot and put it on the stove over low heat. After an hour, remove and wash the pot as normal.

6. Nuts & bolts

Have impossibly tight or rusted nuts and bolts? Loosen them by pouring a bit of Coca-Cola on the bolt and let it sit for a short while. Rinse with water and try to turn them again.

7. Mold

Pour Coke on the affected area or use a Coke soaked towel and place it on top of the mold. Let it sit for a few moments and wipe clean. Scrubbing might be required.

8. Car windshield

Cleaning off bugs and any other buildup on the car windscreen can be removed by pouring a can of the soft drink over the screen and then using a hose to wash off the Coke.

9. Garden

Pouring on some pants and also in the compost with strengthen the growth of micro-organisms that will make your lawn and garden healthier.

10. Kettle limescale

Try boiling a kettle full of Coke and leave to stand for 30 minutes.

11. Clothing stains

Coke is the fix for getting those tough stains removed that no washing detergeant can. Just empty a can into your wash with your normal detergent/powder and run through a regular cycle.

12. Paint remover

Want to get rid of old paint on some metal objects? Soak a towel in Coke and cover the paint, then just srub or scrape it off with soapy water.

13. Pool rust

Get rid of rust stains in your pool by pouring in 2 litres of Coca-Cola into the pool and watch the rust clear up.

14. Car battery terminals

If you need to clear up the car battery terminals, try pouring a little Coke into the removed terminals when cleaning your car.

Want a more long term solution to limescale?

Yes, we've seen that coke works if you're looking for a quick fix, but the real solution to the problem is to get rid of the calcium and magnesium that causes all these problems in the first place.  Softening water for your entire household will remove the hardness minerals entirely. All water softeners use the same operating principle: They trade the minerals for something else, in most cases sodium through a process is called ion exchange.

Investing in a water softener saves you time, energy, and money, and protects your home and your property.