Is limescale bad for you?


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8/02/2024

Limescale is easily recognizable by the white traces it leaves behind on kitchen and bathroom faucets, but do you really know the impact that limescale can have on your life?

While many may think that drinking hard water with too much limescale is bad for you, in short, it might not actually be as bad as you think.  Here we will give you a key insight into this commonly known household substance and its effects. 

 

What is limescale?

So what is limescale exactly?  Limescale is the white substance that can often be found in metal machinery and equipment that involve water and heating in some way, such as your kettle, water pipes and boiler.  When water containing large amounts of minerals, known as hard water is heated or evaporated, that is when limescale forms and will then continue to build up over time.


The harmful effects of limescale in water over a long period are thought to cause less of an impact on our bodies and more so on our water and heating bills, as well as the efficiency of home appliances.

The content of limescale in water is linked to the geological nature of the soil. It’s essential to get to know limescale and the full extent of its effects. And it’s equally important to learn how to remove limescale in a simple and long-lasting way.

Here are a few pointers and solutions!

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Limescale at home.

Limescale also has other negative effects. Especially on your house. It can really spoil your overall home look.  But how exactly is limescale harmful?

The effects of this enemy are:

  • Obstruction and oxidation of pipes - Hard minerals build up and start forming limescale inside the plumbing system.  This puts pressure on appliances as well as the pipes’ material, causing decreased efficiency.
  • Limescale traces on tapware all over the house - As you are probably aware, limescale is rather visible. Those white chalky marks can be seen on most taps around the house but fortunately they can be removed just as easily as they were found.
  • Opacity on all types of surfaces including silverware and glassware - Limescale can make certain surfaces appear dull and cloudy.  Ensure that your household surfaces aren’t lacking in shine and keep on top of scale for a crystal clear finish.
  • Difficulties with the washing machine

    In the long run you may experience problems with your washing machine as it may deteriorate much earlier than its expected life cycle.  You may notice your clothes are lacking in brightness and you are spending more money on water bills.

  • Increase in consumption of cleaning products - In an attempt to combat and resist water hardness, you may find you are buying and trying every kind of cleaning product.  This means you’re constantly searching for the next best cleaning detergent and washing liquids that are better able to resist water hardness.   
  • Shorter lifetime for electrical appliances - Electrical appliances, such as your dishwasher or your kettle may become less efficient in a shorter space of time, due to limescale in water.  Signs of wear and tear could be that you discover your dishes have white spots on them or you have noticed that your kettle has corroded slightly inside.

 

Limescale and health.


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So is limescale bad for you? The answer to whether limescale is harmful or not for our bodies is naturally one question that everyone has asked at some point.  It comes down to the fact that limescale isn’t necessarily bad for your health from a purely drinking perspective, but is more harmful in the way it affects our appliances through corrosion, which then has the potential to indirectly affect our health.

There have been questions raised around “is limescale harmful for your scalp and hair?”.  Showering with hard water can mean that when limescale and soap or shampoo are mixed, they form a harsh lather, which is more difficult to fully wash away.  When mineral particles are not washed away properly, it can mean that the scalp absorbs more calcium than it should.  This can reduce blood flow to the scalp, meaning your hair isn’t getting the maximum amount of nutrients to grow and stay healthy. 


Is drinking water with limescale bad for you?

You’ve probably asked yourself more than once if drinking water with limescale can damage your health. The answer is no! It’s a fact: limescale, in small quantities, does not have any bad repercussions on your organism. On the contrary: most mineral waters you find in stores have minerals like magnesium and calcium that are good for your body. In general, natural spring waters have the right balance of these minerals to help us stay healthy!  So for the most part, limescale is actually beneficial with the large amount of minerals contributing to an essential part of our daily diet.  The only thing you need to worry about is how much you might be ingesting and whether the water is safe from hard metals and chemicals.

Limescale in water.

On the other hand, limescale can dry up your skin. Is limescale bad for you and your skin? So if you live in a hard water area, remember to regularly use a good hand & body cream.  Similar to the effects on your hair, limescale can affect your skin.  You may notice you have clogged pores or irritated skin, so paying attention to your skin’s extra needs is important.  

 

How to remove limescale?

How do you remove limescale? All these inconveniences are very persistent and you won’t make them magically disappear with a snap of your fingers. That’s why, to resolve some of these problems, it’s the right moment to choose a product that protects your surfaces and eliminates limescale all at once. You just have to trust the specialist. We recommend Viakal limescale removal, the ally you need: it not only eliminates limescale without effort, but also protects your surfaces three times longer than any other anti-limescale products, giving your bathroom a new shine!

Now that you know all the positive and negative aspects of limescale, you’re ready to give a lecture on the subject!