Whose a limey? (Oust All Purpose Descaler)

Member Name: eiley123

Product:	Oust All Purpose Descaler
Date:	15/01/08 (954 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Works, good value

Disadvantages: Strong smell initially, irritant.

I live and work in an area of exceptionally hard water. So much so, that, if I was trying to make you understand the hardness I would say it was like concrete, if you see what I mean. We had a water softener fitted to our hot water pipes, that lead in and out of our boiler, and we have used a water filter jug for years for our drinking water. Despite the fact that the filtered water tastes much better, and is less limey, it still does leave more lime-scale in our kettle than is I would like. This not only can affect the taste of the water but ultimately shorten the lifespan of your kettle.

OUST
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A product that I have found useful in removing such lime-scale deposits is Oust All Purpose Descaler. I used to buy an individual sachet for 99p but lately have been buying a box, which has three sachets, from Asda, for around £1.40.

The blue box has a picture of an electric kettle, iron and coffee jug to show that it can be used on many items. When you take a clear sachet out of the box it is best to have read the instructions fully first. I have never experienced any problems using this product but the liquid can be harmful so take care.

CLEANING YOUR ELECTRIC KETTLE.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Half fill your kettle and put it on to boil.

When the water has boiled stand the kettle in your sink, cut open the Oust sachet and pour the contents into your kettle.

Do not overfill with water as when you add the Oust the contents of your kettle will foam up and may bubble over or splash you. I never hold my hands too near when pouring the Oust into the kettle.

You simply leave the contents to soak for ten minutes and carefully pour away.

(If any scale remains, do not pour the solution away but reheat the it, until it begins to fizz. Do not let it boil)

Re-fill the kettle and boil.

Pour this away also and rinse the kettle thoroughly.

If you want to be cautious you could boil, pour away and rinse a few times.

The directions are similar for steam irons and coffee makers, however they are a little different for shower heads. You need to remove the head from its lead and place it upside down in a jug. The Oust sachet is emptied into this jug and enough hot water is then poured over, to cover the showerhead. The water must not be too hot as, if there are any plastic parts they may warp. Other than that it is just a matter of leaving ten minutes, rinsing thoroughly and reassembling.

ANY GOOD ?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The pack claims to contain new and improved Oust which removes 20% more lime-scale than previously. I find the results exceptionally good on my kettle but bear in mind I use a water filter and do clean the kettle on a regular basis. I find that if I clean it about every 3 months it is fine. The aluminium comes up all shiny and new.

When you first pour the Oust into the hot water in the kettle there is a very strong chemical smell and I wonder if it may be harmful for anyone with chest problems.

I cannot comment on the result on coffee makers and steam irons but assume they must be as good. What I like is that the kettle is cleaned in ten minutes so if I do it when I am changing and cleaning my water filter in the jug everything is easily cleaned together.

I am always apprehensive with strong products such as this. However the sachets are very tough and should be safe around children. When I cut open a sachet I have as little contact as possible and try to dispose of it in my dustbin instantly, after use.

The product is an irritant and has many cautions on the pack. It is recommended that you use eye/face protection so be warned. However up to now I have had no problems and this product works which is good.

It is made by Dylon International Limited

Thanks for reading
Copyright Eiley 2008

Summary: Gently does it