removing limescale from outdoor tiles

[Kenny202]

Have some shiny ceramic (porcelain?) white tiles on the verandah outside. One of those areas that collects water and in the shade / sun. They are large white shiny tiles like you would have inside. In a few areas there is a greenish coating on them which is quite hard and stubborn. After soaking in pure bleach for 30 minutes and then a good scrubbing, I got stuck into it today with a steel pot scrubber and did remove it from a small area but was a lot of work for little return. Nearly something you need the angle grinder on! The good news is it looks like what ever it is hasn't permeated the tiles. I thought maybe an acid based thing is needed? Its going to need a lot more than a soak in bleach or vinegar. The bleach did very little to remove or loosen it up. Lots of products on Lazada but its been scam city lately, I throw more products in the bin / return than I keep and 100s of reviews is no guarantee these days.

 

Can someone recommend a HD cleaner or what sort of ingredients I need to look for in a HD outdoor tile cleaner?

[UWEB]

27 minutes ago, Kenny202 said:

Have some shiny ceramic (porcelain?) white tiles on the verandah outside. One of those areas that collects water and in the shade / sun. They are large white shiny tiles like you would have inside. In a few areas there is a greenish coating on them which is quite hard and stubborn. After soaking in pure bleach for 30 minutes and then a good scrubbing, I got stuck into it today with a steel pot scrubber and did remove it from a small area but was a lot of work for little return. Nearly something you need the angle grinder on! The good news is it looks like what ever it is hasn't permeated the tiles. I thought maybe an acid based thing is needed? Its going to need a lot more than a soak in bleach or vinegar. The bleach did very little to remove or loosen it up. Lots of products on Lazada but its been scam city lately, I throw more products in the bin / return than I keep and 100s of reviews is no guarantee these days.

 

Can someone recommend a HD cleaner or what sort of ingredients I need to look for in a HD outdoor tile cleaner?

I'm using always for such kind of cleaning some of my Pool Acid mixed with Water 10:1. You have to work in small sections and not leave the Acid on longer then 2 Minutes and clean it with clear Water. If still some left I repeat it again.

[Kenny202]

16 hours ago, UWEB said:

I'm using always for such kind of cleaning some of my Pool Acid mixed with Water 10:1. You have to work in small sections and not leave the Acid on longer then 2 Minutes and clean it with clear Water. If still some left I repeat it again.

Thanks for the reply....pool acid is hydrochloric right?

[UWEB]

1 hour ago, Kenny202 said:

Thanks for the reply....pool acid is hydrochloric right?

Yes, Hydrochloride Acid 34%.

[Pogust]

Phosphoric acid is commonly used to dissolve lime scale. Available on Lazada. Dilute to 10-20%. Good in bathroom if you have that problem.

[NorthernRyland]

14 minutes ago, Pogust said:

Phosphoric acid is commonly used to dissolve lime scale. Available on Lazada. Dilute to 10-20%. Good in bathroom if you have that problem.

I have hard water where I live and if it's not too thick vinegar takes it off. I should get that acid though probably. Thanks for the tip.

[Sheryl]

Vinegar or lemin juice  will do it but problem is it may run off, and at least  few hohlurs contact is necessary.

 

In which case  2 approaches:

 

1. Soak paper towel in vinegar and cover the tile with wet towel. . Rewet periodically.

 

Or

 

2. Mix vinegar with cream of tartar into a thin oaste, apply that.

 

In both cases keep thd vinegar applued sevdrsl hours, then scrub.

Never use bleach fir this as bleach is a base, and   you need acids to dissolve limescale.