Crusty taps? Wrap them in vinegar
How to remove limescale from taps
Soak a cloth or kitchen roll in white vinegar, wrap it around the limescale on a chrome tap (tie a small bag of vinegar over the spout) and leave it 30 minutes to an hour. Then scrub the softened crust off with an old toothbrush, rinse with water and buff dry with a microfibre cloth.
Vinegar is an acid: keep it off marble, granite and other natural stone, and off plated or coated finishes; check your tap maker's care guide. Don't leave it on longer than an hour, and rinse it off afterwards. Use vinegar on its own and never mix it with bleach or any other cleaner: bleach plus an acid releases toxic chlorine gas. Wear gloves if your skin is sensitive.
Never mix cleaning products. Bleach plus ammonia, vinegar or other acids releases toxic gases. Use one product at a time, rinse between them, ventilate, and unplug appliances before you clean them.
Part of: The 15-minute bathroom reset
Step by step
- Check the finish first: plain chrome is fine, but skip vinegar on gold, brass, matte black, nickel or other coated taps, and keep it off natural stone
- Soak a cloth or a few sheets of kitchen roll in white vinegar, wrap them around the crusty parts and hold them in place with a rubber band
- For the spout, tie a small plastic bag of vinegar over the end so the aerator sits in it
- Leave it 30 minutes to an hour, not overnight
- Take the wrap off and scrub the softened limescale with an old toothbrush, especially around the base and the spout
- Rinse the tap well with clean water, then buff it dry with a microfibre cloth. Wipe the taps dry after use to stop new spots
Watch it in 30 seconds
FAQ
How to remove limescale from taps?
Soak a cloth or kitchen roll in white vinegar, wrap it around the limescale on a chrome tap (tie a small bag of vinegar over the spout) and leave it 30 minutes to an hour. Then scrub the softened crust off with an old toothbrush, rinse with water and buff dry with a microfibre cloth.
What are the steps to remove limescale from taps?
1. Check the finish first: plain chrome is fine, but skip vinegar on gold, brass, matte black, nickel or other coated taps, and keep it off natural stone. 2. Soak a cloth or a few sheets of kitchen roll in white vinegar, wrap them around the crusty parts and hold them in place with a rubber band. 3. For the spout, tie a small plastic bag of vinegar over the end so the aerator sits in it. 4. Leave it 30 minutes to an hour, not overnight. 5. Take the wrap off and scrub the softened limescale with an old toothbrush, especially around the base and the spout. 6. Rinse the tap well with clean water, then buff it dry with a microfibre cloth. Wipe the taps dry after use to stop new spots.
Is it safe to remove limescale from taps at home?
Yes, with care. Vinegar is an acid: keep it off marble, granite and other natural stone, and off plated or coated finishes; check your tap maker's care guide. Don't leave it on longer than an hour, and rinse it off afterwards. Use vinegar on its own and never mix it with bleach or any other cleaner: bleach plus an acid releases toxic chlorine gas. Wear gloves if your skin is sensitive. Never mix cleaning products. Bleach plus ammonia, vinegar or other acids releases toxic gases. Use one product at a time, rinse between them, ventilate, and unplug appliances before you clean them.