Complete Guide to Lime Water

Lime water is a product that originates from limestone, a natural rock found in abundance on the planet Earth. Lime has been used since the dawn of time in the construction industry. There are several types of lime... In lime water, it is air slaked lime which is used. Essential ingredient of the liniment oléo-calcaire, lime water is a natural alternative to many products to clean and soothe baby's bottom! As a make-up remover and face cleanser, liniment is also a good choice.

Lime water, what is it?

You can easily guess, lime water is nothing but a solution of water and lime. So far we're not teaching you anything! But do you know exactly what lime is?

Lime comes from a sedimentary rock found in large quantities on Earth, limestone (CaCO3). To obtain it, it is sufficient to bring blocks of limestone to a very high temperature, around 900°C. This produces a white powder called quicklime, also known as calcium oxide (CaO). There are several kinds of lime. The high quicklime is the powder obtained directly after calcination. If hydrated, quicklime turns into slaked lime also called air lime and known as calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). This transformation is also accompanied by a strong release of heat. And the last lime you are likely to know is hydraulic lime. In this case, the limestone used is quite often impure and composed of other rocks such as clays. Hydraulic lime is, like air lime, obtained after hydration.

To obtain limewater, air lime is used. In the form of a fine white powder, air lime dissolves in water. Once the lime is completely dissolved, the mixture is filtered. The resulting solution is a saturated solution of calcium hydroxide also called lime water! Tadam!

Lime water data sheet

Technical specifications

Lime water identity card.
  • Common name : Lime water
  • Other name: calcium hydroxide solution
  • INCI name: Aqua, Calcium hydroxide
Biochemical characteristics.
  • Water (H2O)
  • Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)
Physical characteristics.
  • Density: 1.0
  • pH : 12,3
  • Solubility: in water
  • Insolubility: in oil
Organoleptic characteristics.
  • Appearance: liquid ;
  • Color: translucent ;
  • Odor: none ;
  • Taste : neutral.

Main properties

PH adjuster, alkalizer:The highly basic pH of limewater gives it the property of making a liquid more basic. In other words, it helps to reduce acidity.

Base for a liniment oleo-limestone: Lime water is used as a base for the preparation of liniment oleo-limestone also composed of vegetable oil. The liniment oleo-lime can have various uses: to clean the buttocks of babies while protecting them, to soothe a burned skin, to promote the regeneration of the skin.

Cleaner: Lime water combined with vegetable oil is an excellent natural skin cleanser.

How to use lime water?

Recipe of the liniment oléo-calcaire

Make a preparation composed of 50% lime water and 50% vegetable oil, usually olive oil but other vegetable oils can be used. To promote emulsion, an emulsifying wax can be added to the mixture (1%). The addition of essential oil of Fine Lavender (a few drops) can also bring healing and soothing properties to the skin. The essential oil of Lavender Fine is authorized from the age of 3 months.

In cosmetics

Oleo-Limestone Liniment
Use: The liniment is used, for example, on washable wipes, to clean and soothe a baby's bottom. It is recommended not to rinse after use.

Makeup remover, cleansing lotion
Use: The resulting preparation called liniment can also be used as a makeup remover for the face. Be careful with the eyes if essential oil is added.

In health

The resulting preparation called liniment has soothing properties. It can thus be useful on an irritated, burned skin or even on an eczema.

In domestic use

Aquarium Maintenance
Use: Pure limewater provides calcium and maintains the alkalinity of an aquarium to promote the proper development of certain animal species.

Make your own lime water, it's possible!

Lime water is easily found in pharmacies or specialized stores for example. But it is just as easy (and economical!) to make it yourself.

For this, only 2 ingredients are needed:

Water and ... air lime !

Level ustensils also it is easy:

- 2 clean and disinfected glass bottles

- a funnel and a filter - gloves and glasses

In a bottle pour 10 g of air lime and add 1 L of boiled, filtered and cooled water. Shake the mixture gently then filter into the second bottle. The limewater is ready! Be careful, lime water has a pH that oscillates around 12, very alkaline and therefore irritating for the skin. When handling it, gloves and goggles are required.

Precautions for using Lime Water

Authorized use of the product

Authorized users

Attention

Lime water can be irritating pure on the skin. Always use it diluted in a vegetable oil-based preparation.

Storage and preservation

It is best to store your limewater at room temperature, away from light and air.