No, plain salt doesn't effectively remove existing limescale; you need acids like vinegar or commercial descalers, but salt plays a crucial role in water softeners by removing hardness minerals (calcium/magnesium) before they form scale through ion exchange. While salt helps in the regeneration of softener resins, it doesn't dissolve the mineral buildup itself, though it can support the cleaning action of acids in DIY mixtures, acting as an electrolyte to speed up the process.
Use white vinegar for better results. Soak a cloth or sponge in vinegar and apply to the limescale. For appliances, you can run vinegar through coffee makers or kettles.
A water softener that uses salt removes the lime in the water using a process called ion exchange. This is when the water softener removes calcium and magnesium ions from your water and replaces them with benign sodium ions. Calcium and magnesium are the minerals that create lime scale.
The salt breaks down grease and emulsified fats so that they can be flushed through the pipes more easily.
“Pour a half cup of bicarbonate of soda into and around the bowl and let it sit for at least 15 minutes.” “Then, apply white vinegar over the baking soda. This produces a fizzing reaction that activates the acid and can break down the most stubborn build-ups of limescale.
WD 40 is great for cleaning out keyboards or loosening bike chains – but did you also know it is really good at removing limescale from your toilet? While it can be put to a number of helpful uses around the home, WD 40 is particularly good at softening rust and limescale deposits in the toilet (and bathroom).
Limited Effectiveness for Serious Clogs
The chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar can break up some minor debris, but it won't dislodge or dissolve the heavier blockages caused by grease, hair, soap scum, or mineral buildup.
You should never flush wet wipes (even "flushable" ones) or sanitary products (tampons, pads), as they don't break down like toilet paper and cause major sewer blockages; other common culprits include paper towels, tissues, cotton balls, hair, dental floss, and cooking fats/oils, which all contribute to clogs and "fatbergs".
We highly recommend this practice, and often people ask “why pour salt down the drain?” The answer is that salt will break down grease and emulsified fats by itself, and especially when combined with vinegar and hot water it can contribute to clearer pipes.
To get rid of brown toilet stains (usually hard water/mineral deposits), use an acid like white vinegar or citric acid, letting it sit for hours or overnight, then scrub with a brush; for tough stains, a pumice stone or stronger cleaners like CLR/descalers work, but always empty the bowl for better contact and flush well after.
What are the signs of limescale buildup?
Spirits of Salt is corrosive to most common metals including enamelled and stainless steel surfaces. Also avoid direct contact with chrome fittings such as plug holes, toilet seat fittings etc. For most applications use about 500ml. Allow to work for 10-20 minutes only, then wash down with copious amounts of water.
2 Kings 2:20-22 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Then Elisha went to the spring of water and threw the salt in it and said, “Thus says the LORD: 'I [not the salt] have purified and healed these waters; there shall no longer be death or barrenness because of it.
A special tip: Coca Cola – this fizzy drink contains phosphoric acid which also removes limescale and urine scale. Simply pour the contents of a one-litre bottle into the toilet bowl and leave it to work for a few hours to dissolve deposits.
The 'fizzing' reaction of the baking soda combined with vinegar can also play a part. That fizzing may help to break down the clog into smaller particles, making them easier to flush!
The acidic values of vinegar allow it to soften limescale and prepare it for scrubbing clean. Pour undiluted white vinegar into your toilet bowl, making sure you get it up under the rim where limescale often gathers and cover every part of the surface. Leave it for three to four hours and then scrub it with a brush.
Maintain clean pipes.
Use white vinegar to maintain clean kitchen and bathroom drains. Periodically, pour a half cup down the drain, let it sit for at least an hour (the longer, the better), and then run water down the drain. Add baking soda to break up clogs.
Disinfectant Qualities
Naturally, salt fights bacteria and fungi, reducing germs in your toilet bowl and around the rim. Although salt is not a medical-grade disinfectant, it is a safe and natural way to enhance hygiene.
Salt can potentially damage PVC pipes over time. Although PVC pipes are known for their durability and chemical resistance, long-term salt exposure can cause corrosion. This will eventually lead to leaks or other issues. Unless you often take salt baths or use a high concentration of salt, corrosion is unlikely.
In many Amish homes, rags are a common toilet paper alternative. These rags are typically old clothes that have been worn out. After simple processing, they become practical cleaning tools.
No, because hair does not break down easily in water. It can stick to the sides of pipes and trap other waste. Over time, this leads to big blockages in your plumbing. Hair is a major cause of toilet clogs that can lead to costly plumbing repairs.
Letting pee sit makes it harder to clean your toilet. This is the best reason I can find for flushing every time you pee. Why? Because the combination of urine and hard water (i.e., water that contains a lot of minerals), if left to sit for a few hours, can create a crusty deposit on the side of the bowl over time.
Items to Never Flush or Pour Down the Drain:
Baking Soda + Vinegar
However, this can occur when heavy rainfall meets blocked drains, and the drainpipes are unable to handle the volume of rainwater due to an outside drain blockage. That's why households are being encouraged to pour vinegar into their drains to help keep them clear.