A new solution for removing limescale from household appliances

As consumers place increasing emphasis on home cleanliness and health, cleaning appliances equipped with high-temperature sterilization functions are becoming increasingly popular. Devices such as steam cleaners, floor scrubbers, and humidifiers rely on high-temperature steam to achieve efficient sterilization, yet they all face a common challenge: scale formation.

When tap water is heated inside these devices, calcium and magnesium ions precipitate as water evaporates, forming limescale. This not only degrades equipment performance but can also increase failure rates by up to 40% and raise energy consumption by more than 30%.

ETERNAL WORLD New Materials Co., Ltd. has introduced a phosphorus-free anti-scale filter media that effectively suppresses scale formation through composite calcium components combined with LSR intelligent controlled-release technology, offering an innovative solution for cleaning appliances.

1. The Dilemma of High-Temperature Sterilization: Cleanliness and Damage Coexist

Modern households’ demand for deep cleaning has driven the widespread adoption of high-temperature sterilization technologies. Steam cleaners, which generate steam above 100 °C, can eliminate 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and mites, making them indispensable “cleaning guardians” for many families.

This physical thermal decomposition principle does not rely on chemical agents, making it both environmentally friendly and highly effective. For households with infants or pets, high-temperature sterilization provides a safe and reliable cleaning method, avoiding the potential risks of chemical residues to sensitive individuals.

However, behind these advantages lies a technical pain point: scale buildup. When tap water containing calcium and magnesium ions is heated, evaporation increases ion concentration, eventually forming insoluble precipitates such as calcium carbonate—commonly known as scale.

The harder the water, the more pronounced the problem. In northern regions, where tap water typically contains higher levels of calcium and magnesium ions, scale accumulation becomes particularly evident after prolonged use of steam-based cleaning equipment.

The consequences of scale buildup are significant. It can clog nozzles and pipelines, reduce steam output pressure, and compromise cleaning performance. More critically, scale deposits on heating elements impair heat transfer efficiency, driving energy consumption up by more than 30%.

For high-end cleaning appliances with higher price points, scale accumulation translates into reduced service life and increased maintenance costs.

2. Anti-Scale Filter Media Technology: Small Media, Big Intelligence

To address scale formation, traditional solutions often rely on phosphate-based anti-scale agents. However, these chemicals can contribute to water eutrophication and are environmentally unfriendly. The phosphorus-free anti-scale filter media developed by ETERNAL WORLD uses composite calcium components to inhibit scale formation through multiple mechanisms.

Its core principle is the “lattice distortion effect”: the composite calcium components disrupt the orderly crystallization of calcium carbonate, preventing calcium and magnesium ions from forming hard, adherent scale, thereby reducing deposits on internal surfaces.

Compared with other anti-scale technologies on the market, ETERNAL WORLD’s filter media employs a proprietary LSR intelligent controlled-release technology. A nano-microporous structure precisely regulates the release rate of the composite calcium components, ensuring stable and long-lasting anti-scale performance for 6–12 months.

This technology allows the media to intelligently adjust its release rate based on water quality, avoiding both overconsumption and insufficient performance.

In terms of environmental safety, the filter media completely eliminates traditional phosphate formulations, removing the risk of eutrophication. The product has passed multiple international certifications, including SGS, RoHS, and REACH, confirming that it contains no lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals, nor any EU-restricted chemicals.

For health- and eco-conscious households, this attribute is particularly important.

The media is also easy to use. Users simply select the appropriate dosage based on local water hardness (TDS value):

• When TDS ≤ 400, a dosage of 25 g is recommended;

• When TDS > 400, the dosage should be increased to 30 g.

This precise dosing guidance ensures optimal anti-scale performance.

3. Multi-Scenario Applications: Comprehensive Protection for Cleaning Appliances

ETERNAL WORLD anti-scale filter media is applicable across a wide range of mainstream cleaning appliances, providing targeted protection for different devices.

Robot vacuum cleaners have become indispensable household tools, yet their water tanks and spray nozzles are highly susceptible to scale-induced clogging. Integrating ETERNAL WORLD anti-scale media effectively prevents scale formation, reduces failure rates, and lowers service calls related to water pathway blockages.

For users focused on cleaning efficiency, this means longer device lifespan and more stable performance.

Floor scrubbers operating under high-temperature cleaning conditions are also prone to scale buildup on heating tubes and spray components. Experimental data show that using ETERNAL WORLD anti-scale media can reduce scale formation by over 80%.

This not only enhances cleaning effectiveness but also mitigates energy consumption increases caused by scale, keeping equipment in optimal working condition.

Humidifiers—especially those that generate steam via atomization or heating—are even more susceptible to scale. Minerals in hard water can disperse into the air with water mist, forming white “dust” that contaminates furniture and floors.

More seriously, scale can adhere to atomizing plates or heating elements, reducing efficiency or even causing blockage and damage. ETERNAL WORLD anti-scale media effectively suppresses scale formation and extends humidifier service life.

Beyond these primary applications, the media can also be used in instant water heaters, RO water purification systems, and other devices to prevent localized scale formation during rapid heating, ensuring clean water output. This multi-scenario adaptability positions ETERNAL WORLD media as a comprehensive protection solution for whole-house water systems

4. Industry Impact and Future Outlook

Anti-scale technology has become a key factor in enhancing the user experience of cleaning appliances. While traditional appliances perform only basic cleaning functions, devices integrated with anti-scale media can maintain optimal performance over time and reduce maintenance costs.

For appliance manufacturers, such innovation acts as a “hidden engine” for product differentiation, strengthening market competitiveness.

ETERNAL WORLD has served more than 1,500 water treatment clients worldwide and partnered with over 80 ODM customers in functional ceramic materials, forming a complete supply-chain ecosystem encompassing “technology R&D – standardized manufacturing – global supply – end-user value empowerment.”

This scale advantage enables large-scale adoption of anti-scale media across diverse cleaning appliances, driving the industry toward more environmentally friendly and efficient solutions.

As global demand for sterile living environments continues to rise, antibacterial and anti-scale capabilities are becoming standard features of high-end cleaning appliances. ETERNAL WORLD’s technology is also expected to expand into additional household scenarios, offering cross-industry solutions for appliance manufacturers.

In live-commerce demonstrations, a humidifier integrated with anti-scale functionality often occupies center stage. Sales staff demonstrate two units side by side: one using ordinary tap water, the other with added anti-scale media. After one week of continuous use, the former shows white scale deposits on its inner walls, while the latter remains clean.

Such visual contrasts are often more persuasive than any technical specification.

For appliance manufacturers, integrating anti-scale modules at the design stage adds limited cost yet significantly enhances competitiveness. A floor scrubber equipped with built-in anti-scale media may achieve a service life more than three times that of a standard product—an increasingly important factor in consumer decision-making.

As the technology continues to mature, anti-scale functionality is expected to evolve from a premium option into a standard feature of intelligent cleaning appliances.