Removing lime from your dishwasher

Have you ever opened your dishwasher to find a thick, grayish film lurking inside? This, my friend, is called Lime. Both the short and long term effects of this disgusting element on your dishwasher or any other household appliances can be very destructible.

Lime is a salt or other element which contains calcium. Calcium deposits are known the world over for causing clogs and internal buildup in your pipes throughout your home. If the problem is continuous and you have a well pumping your water, you really should consider installing a water treatment system to ease the problem. If you have town or city water, a water purification system, which is significantly smaller and less costly than a water treatment system, can help to fix your problem.

Although there are many different products available at your local discount department and hardware stores, try some simple methods first before spending your hard earned money. The products that may work for you might just be in your pantry.

The absolute best product on the market to dissolve tough stains is baking soda. I know it sounds somewhat funny because you bake with it and place your refrigerator to keep it smelling clean. But by sprinkling some baking soda into the toughest hit areas of your dishwasher and spraying a little water on top, you’ll be amazed at what this simple household product can do. Let the baking soda and water mixture set for about an hour or so, and then start scrubbing it off with a scouring pad. Now you will see some amazing results.

Another interesting, multi-task, household product which you probably never thought to use is Tang. Yes, the astronauts took it to the moon and you can take it right to your dishwasher to remove calcium, lime and rust. Sprinkle a bit all over the areas of concern in your dishwasher, spray with a bit of water and allow to soak for two to three hours. Get out your scrubby pad and watch how quickly the mineral deposits slip away. I really don’t know who thought to try this technique, but I am eternally grateful. Tang also works on porcelain and tile, so you can use it for a lot more than just a good day full of vitamin C.

If all else fails, then your dishwasher is in rougher shape than we thought. Cheap store alternatives may work for you, but is it really worth the time and energy put into it if it isn’t going to work?

Restore 4, sold at local hardware and home improvement warehouses, will get any hardened element or mineral out of your dishwasher, as well as any other item that you would like to restore. This product works quickly, but does have some high fumes that can give you a bit of a headache if you’re not working in a well ventilated space, such as inside of a dishwasher. Have a fan funning and keep coming up for air if you decide to use this product for removing lime from your dishwasher.