Laboratory test of limescale removal – documented cleaning efficacy on limescale and soap deposits
Sara IdenforsShort answer
VästerbottensSåpa’s fragrance-free limescale remover was tested by Center For Testmaterials BV in the Netherlands. Its cleaning ability was evaluated against a standardized test material consisting of dried limescale and soap deposits on black ceramic. The results were reported as the Soil Release Index (SRI), where a higher value corresponds to better cleaning. The report also contains photographic documentation of untreated and cleaned surfaces.
Introduction
Limescale deposits and soap residue are some of the most common causes of difficult-to-clean bathroom surfaces. Over time, hard deposits form on shower walls, tiles, and faucets, often requiring acidic cleaning products to dissolve them.
To document the cleaning ability of VästerbottensSåpa’s limescale remover, a laboratory test was conducted by Center For Testmaterials BV, an independent European testing laboratory.
The purpose was to evaluate the product’s cleaning effect under defined test conditions.
How the laboratory test was conducted
Testing laboratory
The test was conducted by Center For Testmaterials BV in the Netherlands on behalf of VästerbottensSåpa.
Tested product
The product included in the study was:
- VästerbottensSåpa Fragrance-Free Limescale Remover
Water was used as a negative control.
Test method
The laboratory used a standardized test material (DC-30) consisting of a dried and firmly bonded coating of limescale and soap residue (“soap scum”) on a black ceramic surface.
After cleaning, the amount of coating removed was assessed. The result was reported as the Soil Release Index (SRI), where:
- 100% corresponds to complete cleaning.
- 0% corresponds to no cleaning at all.
Results
The laboratory reported the results in the form of a Soil Release Index chart, along with supplementary photographs of the test surfaces before and after cleaning.
The report shows that VästerbottensSåpa’s limescale remover produced a clear cleaning effect on the standardized limescale and soap test material compared with the negative control (water). The product removed 98% of the coating.
Why is a gel-form limescale remover different?
An important feature of VästerbottensSåpa’s limescale remover is that it was developed as a gel.
This means that the product:
- adheres to vertical surfaces,
- runs more slowly than a thin liquid,
- can act on the limescale deposits for a longer period.
This article describes the product’s design. The laboratory report itself, however, compares the product’s cleaning ability with water and does not evaluate different application formats.
What does Soil Release Index mean?
Soil Release Index (SRI) is a measure of the proportion of a standardized soil coating that is removed during cleaning.
A higher SRI value indicates better cleaning performance under the test conditions used.
It is a common way to compare the cleaning ability of different products in a laboratory environment.
What does the laboratory test show?
The report shows that VästerbottensSåpa’s limescale remover effectively removed the standardized limescale and soap coating from the test surface under the specified test conditions.
It is important to note that the results apply to the product examined and the test conditions described in the report. The laboratory also states that the results are valid only for the products and procedures examined.
Frequently asked questions
What was tested?
VästerbottensSåpa’s fragrance-free limescale remover and water as a negative control.
Where was the test conducted?
At Center For Testmaterials BV in the Netherlands.
What is DC-30?
A standardized test material with dried limescale and soap deposits on a black ceramic surface.
What does Soil Release Index mean?
A measure of the proportion of the test coating removed during cleaning. 100% corresponds to complete cleaning.
Did the report include photographs?
Yes. The report contains photographs of untreated surfaces as well as cleaned surfaces after treatment with VästerbottensSåpa’s limescale remover and water.
Conclusion
The independent laboratory test shows that VästerbottensSåpa’s fragrance-free limescale remover achieved a documented cleaning effect on a standardized test material consisting of limescale and soap deposits. The results were reported using the Soil Release Index (SRI) and supplemented with photographic documentation of the test surfaces. The report therefore provides a transparent description of both the method and the results under controlled laboratory conditions.