Guide · Bathroom, toilet and limescale ·
What Is a Limescale Inhibitor?
The names limescale inhibitor and descaler sound similar, but their jobs differ. One helps prevent limescale from forming; the other dissolves limescale that has formed. This guide explains what hard water is, how the two differ, and where and how an inhibitor is used.
What is a limescale inhibitor?
A limescale inhibitor is a product that helps prevent the limescale caused by hard water in machines. It is used in washing machines and dishwashers. Its job is not to dissolve accumulated limescale but to slow the build-up from the start.
Our range includes TETİK Machine Limescale Inhibitor for this job. START Dishwasher Descaler / Limescale Inhibitor is a separate product for dishwashers; for its use as an inhibitor, check its label.
What is the difference between a limescale inhibitor and a descaler?
- Job: An inhibitor helps prevent formation. A descaler dissolves limescale that has formed.
- Timing: An inhibitor is used regularly, before limescale forms. A descaler is used once limescale has built up.
- Machine state: TETİK Machine Limescale Inhibitor is added with the detergent during washing. Descaling, on the other hand, is done with the machine empty.
- Afterwards: After descaling, the machine is run once more with clean water.
- Safety: A descaler is an acidic product; wear gloves and safety goggles and ventilate the room. Follow the label warnings for every product.
What is hard water and why does it cause limescale?
Hard water is water rich in calcium and magnesium. As the water heats up, these minerals settle on surfaces and a limescale layer forms over time. That is why limescale shows most on the parts of the machine that heat up.
Water hardness varies by region and water source. Having it tested is the first step in setting the inhibitor amount according to the label. With very hard water, a softening system or machine salt recommended by the machine manufacturer is also used.
Where is a limescale inhibitor used?
- Washing machines and dishwashers
- Laundries
- Hotel and hospital laundry departments
- Areas with hard water
- For general washing machine care, see how to clean a washing machine.
How is a limescale inhibitor used?
- Read the label: Set the amount according to water hardness, following the label's recommendation.
- Add to the compartment: TETİK Machine Limescale Inhibitor is added to the machine's detergent compartment with the detergent at every wash.
- With a pump: On machines with dosing pumps, have the machine service set the dosing.
- Store: Keep the product in its own packaging, closed and out of children's reach: storing cleaning products.
Which product for which situation?
- No limescale in the machine yet, hard water: A limescale inhibitor.
- Limescale has built up in the dishwasher: A descaler whose label states dishwasher use. For the problem and fix, see how to remove limescale from a dishwasher.
- Limescale in the bathroom, on the toilet and on tiles: A surface product, not a machine product: how to use limescale remover. Keep acidic products away from metal surfaces, fittings, marble and natural stone.
- Water spots on glasses: Rinse aid for the rinse stage: what is dishwasher rinse aid.
Common mistakes when using a limescale inhibitor
- Trying to dissolve accumulated limescale with an inhibitor: First remove it with a descaler, then slow the build-up.
- Setting the amount without knowing the water hardness: The label gives the amount by water hardness.
- Putting a bathroom product in the machine: Descalers made for bathrooms and hydrochloric acid do not go in the machine.
- Using it with bleach: According to its label, START Dishwasher Descaler / Limescale Inhibitor is not used together with bleach. On mixing, see can cleaning products be mixed.
- Dropping machine salt: In a household machine, keep filling the salt compartment as the manufacturer instructs.
Packaging and bulk purchasing
- TETİK Machine Limescale Inhibitor: 10 KG (sold individually).
- START Dishwasher Descaler / Limescale Inhibitor: 5 KG (4 per case) and 30 KG (sold individually).
- Tetikoğlu Kimya is a manufacturer of machine limescale inhibitors; we present our plant on the production page.
- Hotels, laundries and restaurants can see the wholesale dishwasher descaler guide for packs and case quantities, the wholesale cleaning products page for bulk purchases, and use the quote form for prices.
