Do you have a Power of Attorney? MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis explains how this crucial protection works, why it's more important than a will, and how to get one in the latest episode of ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show Live. What descaler are you using? Oust sachets are good. Just re-boil the kettle when the water stops fizzing and repeat until the scale has gone. I only quarter fill the kettle before adding the oust.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user MaisyMary77)

Fortunately, there are a range of commercial cleaning products and common household products that can deal with these deposits. Commercial limescale removers

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Hair can easily ruin your washing machine, clumping up and clogging the mechanisms. Vamoosh claims to dissolve hair – and says it’s the only cleaner to do so – so this product is a no-brainer for pet owners or those with long (human) hair. Vamoosh uses active oxygen to break down the keratin in hair, making it dissolve before washing away: just add the sachet’s powdered contents to the dispenser drawer, then run the empty machine on its longest, hottest cycle, which is usually between 85° and 95°C. In the case of mild or fairly fresh limescale, some cleaners will use the distilled white vinegar method as detailed below. Lemon method: Cut a lemon in half and rub the juice onto the shower head, making sure you cover it fully. Leave the lemon juice to work its magic for an hour or two and then use a toothbrush to scrub the showerhead, including the holes. Seriously, Cillit Bang lime and grime. Totally works. I've cleaned away horrendous limescale in about 30 minutes with stuff.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user Happycow)

Using a shower squeegee after you have a shower might also help you keep on top of your limescale build-ups. How do you get rid of limescale naturally? During our research, we came across several reviewers who said they had stopped buying Cillit Bang because of the strong chemical smell, but tried the miraculous product once again and found that the new formula smelled fresher and cleaner than before. In the same way as with glass, Cillit Bang does a great job on ceramics, such as the toilet bowl, sink or bath. It even does a great job on tiles, and, when used regularly, will prevent limescale from building up in the first place. Spray it across the surface, leave it for about fifteen minus, and then scrub it with a toilet brush before flushing. The great thing about using vinegar rather than commercial cleaning products, is that it’s non-toxic and can be safetly used to clean kitchen equipment such as the kettle or dishwasher.

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One Mumsnet user, Laila747, says, “White vinegar in a spray bottle, add some Fairy Liquid and spray all over shower screen, leave for 15 minutes then rinse. Perfect streak-free shower screen every time!” Viakal is easy to use, and free from chemicals such as ammonia, bleach and chlorine that can damage some surfaces. Simply spray lemon juice across the affected surface, and let it sit for about an hour. At the end of this time, just wipe the residue away with a clean cloth. Limescale is made of calcium carbonate and is usually worse if you live in a hard water area. Around 16 million people in the UK do, so find out if you’re one of them with this handy map. In the case of stubborn limescale, especially around the toilet bowl, bleach is a good option, especially purpose-designed toilet bleach.