Taps can be magnets for limescale build up (file) (Image: Getty)
Stubborn limescale could wipe right off with this .
It’s estimated that around 60% of the UK experiences hard water, which is categorised as water with high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. And as anyone living in these areas will know, hard water means .
Limescale is a hard, chalky substance made of calcium carbonate that builds up anywhere that comes into contact with hard water, including in toilet bowls, on shower screens, and inside kettles.
It’s also commonly found on taps, and on top of merely looking unsightly, it can also reduce the efficiency of your water flow through taps and showers. This means you’ll end up leaving the water running for longer to fill your sink – which could impact your utility bills in the long run.
But if your taps are in need of a good clean, there is a simple solution that could get rid of limescale in no time. What’s more, it uses just one 35p item that many of us already own.
In a post on , someone asked for help with a limescale-covered tap. They explained they’d recently moved in with their 70-year-old father, who hasn’t been able to keep up with cleaning jobs, and they needed advice on how to shift the stubborn limescale.
One of the most popular suggestions from cleaning fans was to use white vinegar, which can be found in supermarkets for as little as 35p. The tap needs to be soaked in vinegar for “several hours” to loosen the limescale, and this can be done by filling a plastic bag with the liquid and tying it to the tap, or by soaking paper towels in vinegar.
A commenter suggested: “I’d take a plastic bag, fill it with white vinegar, wrap it around and secure it with rubber bands so the whole faucet is submerged, and leave it for several hours. It should scrub off easily after a few hours.”
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Another said: “Before you do the bag trick, try and see if you can just use vinegar and an old toothbrush. I just used it yesterday to get the calcium off of my kettle.”
While a third posted: “Soaking in vinegar and scrubbing with baking soda will remove it. Might take some effort. If it is solid metal it should be cleanable. If it is a thin metal shell, it could be corroded beyond repair, and you may just want to replace it.”
Other suggestions included using branded products such as Pink Stuff Paste or Bar Keeper’s Friend, while many others advocated for scrubbing with an old toothbrush no matter what cleaning product is used.
How to remove limescale from a tap
- Fill a small plastic bag with white vinegar or lemon juice.
- Place the bag or container over the tap so that the spout is submerged and secure with an elastic band.
- Let it soak for 1-2 hours, or overnight if the limescale buildup is heavy.
- Remove the bag and scrub with an old toothbrush or sponge to get rid of loosened limescale.
- Rinse the tap thoroughly with clean water and dry with a clean cloth.