Limescale is the silent enemy of any bathroom and of the kitchen. Those whitish marks that build up around the tap are not just unsightly, they eventually block the water outlet too. In this guide we explain how to remove limescale from taps with products you already have at home, how to tackle the most stubborn baked-on scale and how to do it without scratching the metal or damaging the finish.
Why limescale builds up on taps
Limescale is calcium carbonate, a mineral dissolved in hard water. When the water evaporates on the tap, the mineral is left behind as a white crust. In hard-water areas, which cover much of the country, the problem shows up within days. The longer it sits, the harder the crust becomes, so the key is cleaning often and not letting it bake on.
How to remove limescale from taps with vinegar
White vinegar is the most effective and cheapest home remedy, because its acidity dissolves limescale effortlessly. Follow these steps:
- Warm a little white vinegar, without letting it boil. It works better lukewarm.
- Soak a cloth or kitchen roll and wrap it right around the tap.
- Leave it to work for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how dirty it is.
- Remove the cloth, scrub with an old toothbrush and rinse with water.
- Dry with a microfibre cloth so no marks are left behind.
If you prefer an alternative, citric acid dissolved in hot water works just as well and smells better than vinegar.
How to remove baked-on limescale from taps
When the crust has been there for months, a cloth on its own will not do. For baked-on scale, fill a plastic bag with vinegar, put it around the tap and secure it with an elastic band so the tap sits soaking. Leave it overnight. The next day the scale will be soft and will come away with a brush. Repeat if you need to; persisting is safer than scraping with a metal scourer, which would leave permanent scratches.
How to remove limescale from black and gold taps
Matt black and gold taps are in fashion, but they are more delicate. Never use abrasive scourers or bleach-based products on them, because they eat away at the finish. Apply the vinegar gently and for less time, or better still a paste of bicarbonate of soda with a little water, spread with a soft cloth. Rinse well and dry immediately. For day-to-day upkeep, wiping with a dry cloth after each use is what really keeps them looking immaculate.
Do not forget the aerator
The part where limescale builds up most is the aerator, the filter at the tip of the tap where the water comes out. If you notice the flow coming out weakly or at an angle, it is almost certainly furred up. Unscrew it by hand or with pliers wrapped in a cloth, leave it soaking in vinegar for about 30 minutes, brush off the residue and put it back. You will get the water pressure back instantly.
Mistakes to avoid
Battling limescale makes it easy to make mistakes that damage the tap more than the dirt itself. Do not use metal scourers or abrasive powders on chrome: they scratch the shine for good. Avoid mixing vinegar with bleach as well, because it releases toxic fumes, and do not leave acidic products working for hours on delicate finishes. Another common mistake is forgetting to dry: leave the tap wet and the limescale forms again the same day. And if the crust does not give way on the first attempt, be patient and repeat the soak rather than scrubbing hard, because that is when the scratches appear.
How often to clean them
It depends on the hardness of the water where you live, but a simple routine avoids nasty surprises. In hard-water areas, a quick pass with vinegar once a week keeps the scale in check; in softer water, every fortnight is enough. It is worth checking the aerator once a month, especially if you notice the flow losing power. With consistency, a deep clean will hardly ever be necessary.
Tricks to stop it coming back
Prevention is far easier than removing limescale once it has dried on. These habits will save you time:
- Dry the tap with a cloth after using it; with no standing water, there is no limescale.
- Give it a quick clean with vinegar once a week.
- If the water where you live is very hard, consider a small water softener or filter.
- Keep microfibre cloths to hand, as they polish the metal without scratching it.
With these habits, your taps will look newly fitted and last longer. At Velia Select you will find cleaning accessories and textiles for the home that help you keep the bathroom and the kitchen in good shape at all times, without making life complicated.