Cleaning and descaling a concealed cistern – how to do it effectively?

Anyone who opts for installing a concealed cistern instead of a traditional one needs to know that it requires special handling. Not during everyday use, but during maintenance. Cleaning the cistern and descaling it is key to keeping the unit in good condition for years. So how do you clean a cistern you can’t physically access? Is it difficult? How do you do it effectively? You’ll find the answers in this article!

Cleaning a concealed cistern – home methods

The interior of a small bathroom is often difficult to arrange. One way to make the most of limited space is to install a concealed cistern. Why is a concealed WC frame the best idea? It enhances the aesthetics of the bathroom, doesn’t take up much space and is relatively easy to clean.

To clean a concealed cistern properly, simply make a solution of vinegar and water in a 1:2 ratio (one part vinegar to two parts water). The effectiveness of cleaning will increase if the vinegar is poured into hot water. Pour the prepared solution into the concealed cistern. After a few hours, the cistern will require vigorous scrubbing and you’re done!

Citric acid also works well instead of vinegar. Mix it with water in the same proportions and follow the steps described above. The difference with citric acid is that it has descaling properties. They may not be spectacular, but they do exist and it’s worth remembering. A subsequent descaling process using somewhat stronger agents will definitely be necessary. However, citric acid is not required when cleaning a concealed cistern.

Home methods are really effective, and cleaning a concealed cistern is remarkably simple. Those who don’t have vinegar or citric acid, or simply prefer to buy an appropriate product in the shop, won’t be in for a big outlay. The products and the substances they contain should cope just as effectively with cleaning a concealed cistern. They do, however, cost a little more than home methods.

How to remove limescale from a concealed cistern?

Removing limescale is no more complicated than cleaning itself. How do you descale a concealed cistern? Vinegar, citric acid and various products, such as a cistern descaler, will be extremely useful at this point. It’s worth remembering, however, that descaling differs slightly from cleaning.

If you’re using citric acid, you don’t have to dissolve it in water. Simply change the way you apply it and use the citric acid directly on the cistern, leaving it there for a few hours. Then just rinse it off with a little water and you’re done. If limescale remains, repeat the process several times. Vinegar works in a similar way. As does a cistern descaler. It contains similarly acting substances (or even the same ones, i.e., citric acid and additives that enhance its action).

Descaling is an extremely simple process and will be effective even with basic food products from your own kitchen. It should be noted that limescale builds up relatively quickly in places that are in constant contact with water. In the case of hard, highly mineralised water, a cistern will accumulate limescale more quickly. Professionals recommend descaling the cistern at least once every thirty days. If limescale settles more quickly due to the nature of the water, then descaling should be carried out more often, adjusting its frequency to the hardness of the water used in a given flat or house.

Home methods or specialised products – that is the question. We advise choosing the method that is more convenient, as it’s hard to judge which is more effective. Both approaches (vinegar/citric acid and water, or specialised products) are equally effective. Sometimes it’s worth trying both to see which works better for a particular cistern. Good luck!