Do you ever use a descaler in your electrical products?

I recently had a problem with my Miele washing machine leaking badly. After 15 years I thought maybe it is rusted...but no, they do not rust as easily as cheap machines, and it has a hose that was leaking.

It had a huge build up of calcium and the mechanic put descaler through the machine and advised that the dishwasher should also have it done.

I always do my coffee machine as that automatically tells me when it is time to do it, and I do my kettle regularly as it gets white on the bottom which I dont like the look of.

Some waters are not as bad as ours I believe so not sure if everyone has to do this.

My washing machine is fine now and should go on for another 10 - 15 years though I will descale it more than once in 15 years from now on.

by Finy

I was advised by my washing machine service tech to use vinegar in my fabric softener receptical. It helps rinse the clothes and cleans the machine. If your clothers come out smelling like vinegar the smell will go when dry , just use less next time.

I use vinegar in everything . . . the kettle, the washing machine, dishwashers (when I have one) even the loo when the water is horrible from the treatment works, which seems to happen fairly often here - it can really mark the porcelain :( Vinegar is my rinse aid and I have never had a scale problem.

by Rice

I recently used vinegar to clean my taps and one one set it took all the coating off -there are some things vinegar is NOT good for! A descaler is made specifically for the product, and in our water conditions I would rather spend $15 on the descaler than use vinegar.

Holy moly!! Never had that happen to me, thank heaven. That must have been some kind of chemical reaction. *nasty*

I use vinegar in my appliances also. My washing machine technician recomended it. Don't use vinegar on stone surfaces or gold taps.

WOW...

Now I know guess who is buying a 'Descaler this week' !

by jonaja

I do not. I will need to google this.

by dwatk

Given I don't know what a descaler is, no. Maybe I should give it a go...

by Vee

I didn't know such a thing existed. I must live under a rock or something.

by Lluxi

perhaps water in other states does not have as much calcium in it as WA......my bathroom of the house I bought when I moved from the country, had thick white stuff over the shower doors and it wouldnt come off. I was told there is a lot of calcium in Perth water and it clogs electrical things -if you dont see white stuff in bottom of kettle, perhaps your water is OK

No, as no reason to do so!

by donjo

I have never had any issues which require descaler,so the answer is No!I do not have a dishwasher,apart from my own hands!!! I have not started to become a reptile of any sort as yet,so I shan't need any descaler there!!!! As for my other products....I truly have never had any problems at all.I think this may be due the the lovely water I have her in North Qld. If I ever do find a scale problem with anything,I would try vinegar or similar before descaler unless the product manufacturer actually recommends it! I use vinegar and also Bi-carb for all sorts of things!!

by Jules

I live in a hard water area and regularly descale with vinegar when we are using town water. It is not such a problem with our tank water.
My washing machine service technician recomends plain white vinegar diluted, so that is what I do. Kettle, dishwasher , washing machine, coffee machine and steam oven.

by annfi

I live in a hard water area and regularly descale with vinegar when we are using town water. It is not such a problem with our tank water.
My washing machine service technician recomends plain white vinegar diluted, so that is what I do. Kettle, dishwasher , washing machine, coffee machine and steam oven.

by annfi

Yes my iron .

by Sasha