How to get rid of limescale from taps

Limescale deposits on taps is one of the most common household problems, particularly in hard water areas (areas with higher mineral content in the water). However, limescale is not only unsightly, but it also reduces pressure by blocking taps and damages our taps. Luckily, there are some effective methods and specific products to clean limescale from taps, as well as household tips that we can all use. Carry on reading!

Effective products to clean limescale from taps

Limescale cleaner is one of the most recommended products to remove limescale. Treating limescale is essential to keep your taps in good working order and to ensure they work efficiently. Moreover, there are other products or foods that can make life easier:

• White vinegar. A natural product that dissolves limescale and brings out the shine of metals.
• Lemon juice. A natural acid that helps get rid of light limescale deposits. 
• Baking powder or flour. By mixing these two products with a little water we can make a paste to gently scrub off limescale deposits.
• Toothpaste. It can work as a mild abrasive to get rid of limescale deposits without damaging the surface underneath. 

Tips to get rid of limescale from taps

Household tips or remedies, although not as strong as commercially available products, are effective, safe, cheap and simple to use when cleaning the home. To clean off limescale, we can do the following:

• Cut a lemon in half and rub it on the limescale deposit. If the deposit remains on despite your efforts, keep rubbing until it disappears completely.
• Apply some vinegar to a clean cloth and wipe the limescale deposits. Apart from getting rid of stains, vinegar will return the natural shine to the taps.
• Use a little flour on the limescale stains and rub with a clean cloth. It works as well!
• If you prefer, you can use some toothpaste and rub the limescale using a cloth.
• If you have some baking powder at hand, it will work in exactly the same way as flour or toothpaste.

Using a combination of commercially available products and household remedies is usually the most effective way to keep your taps clean and shiny. Why not give it a try?

How to get rid of limescale from the inside of taps

Limescale deposits can build up and block our taps. In order to avoid this, an indispensable recommendation is regular cleaning every fortnight using a limescale remover. To do so, follow these steps: 

• Unscrew the tap filter and remove it from the holder.
• Submerge the filter in the limescale cleaner or in vinegar, and allow it to work for a couple of hours.
• Dry the filter and fit it to the tap.

If you do this regularly, you will notice more water pressure in your taps.

How often should we clean limescale from taps

How often we clean our taps depends on the use and water hardness. Even so, there are two golden rules that we should bear in mind:

• Normal cleaning every week to avoid visible limescale deposits from building up.
• Thorough cleaning every fortnight to prevent blockages and deposits that are hard to get rid of. 

Sticking to this routine will not only protect your taps, but it will also extend their life and make general kitchen and bathroom maintenance much easier. Therefore, we should make sure we keep to this cleaning routine in our homes.

Tips to prevent limescale from building up in taps

Prevention is always preferable to cleaning. Therefore, we recommend you try out the following recommendations:

• Dry your taps after each use to avoid water from evaporating off them and consequently leaving the limescale deposit behind.
• Fit filters or a water softener if the water in your area is very hard.
• Alternate using specific commercially available products and household remedies such as vinegar and lemon to clean your taps.
• Avoid abrasive products that could damage the surface and make it easier for the limescale to stick to the tap.

These habits will help you to clean limescale off your taps and keep them shiny and in good working order for longer. With a little perseverance your taps will stay shiny and water will flow through them like the first day, without any worries or hidden limescale!