I have a bathtub with a lot of limescale buildup and I've seen my grandmother use Cillit Bang for years. Does it really work as well as they say in the ads or is it better to use something else? I don't want to damage the enamel.
Limescale in the bathtub is more stubborn than it looks, and honestly, Cillit Bang isn't your best bet for that. I tried that product at home and it works fine for surface stains or rust, but thick limescale needs something stronger, like diluted hydrochloric acid (like Mr. Muscle Bathroom) or concentrated white vinegar left overnight. If you use Cillit Bang constantly it can wear down the enamel over time, so for serious deposits you're better off going for products specifically formulated for limescale that tackle the problem without being so abrasive.
Cillit Bang does work well for limescale, but it's not magic - you need to let it sit for a while (15-20 minutes minimum) and then scrub. The thing is, it's pretty acidic and if you use it all the time it can damage the bathtub's enamel in the long run, especially if it's already old. For heavy buildup of lime deposits, it works, but if you have a lot of limescale I'd recommend trying white vinegar or citric acid first - they're less harsh and also get rid of the lime. If none of that works for you, then go ahead and use Cillit Bang, but rinse it well afterward and don't leave it sitting around for days.
I've used it at home and honestly it works pretty well for limescale, but like the person who answered before said, you need patience - you spray it on, wait a good while, and then scrub with a soft brush or sponge. The bathtub enamel holds up fine if you don't do it every day or leave it sitting for hours on end; my bathtub's been like this for years and it's in perfect condition. If the buildup is really heavy or you want to avoid acids, hot white vinegar works pretty well too and it's less harsh, even if it takes longer.
Don't use it straight without diluting it if the limescale is really thick, because aside from being harsh, the undiluted product can end up making the enamel cloudy over time. What works better is mixing a bit of Cillit Bang with water in a spray bottle, apply it generously and let it sit for at least half an hour (yeah, quite a while), then scrub with a soft-bristled brush. If the limescale is really old and stubborn, pure acetic acid (heated white vinegar) or a specific anti-limescale cleaner is safer for the enamel in the long run, even though it takes a bit longer to work.
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