How to Remove Limescale From Taps and Showers

If you live in London or the South East, you live in a hard-water area. That means limescale, the chalky white deposit left behind when hard water dries. It clogs taps, dulls shower heads and coats glass screens. The good news is that you can shift it with a few cheap household items and a little patience.

Why limescale forms

Hard water is rich in dissolved calcium and magnesium. When it dries on a surface, those minerals are left behind as a stubborn crust. The more often a spot gets wet and then dries, such as around taps and shower heads, the faster the limescale builds up.

What you will need

• White vinegar or lemon juice, both mild acids that dissolve limescale
• An old cloth or a few sheets of kitchen roll
• Elastic bands or a freezer bag
• An old toothbrush for the fiddly areas
• A soft, dry cloth for buffing

How to descale taps

Soak a cloth or a few sheets of kitchen roll in white vinegar and wrap it tightly around the affected parts of the tap. Leave it for 30 minutes to an hour, then remove it and scrub gently with an old toothbrush. Rinse with clean water and buff dry. Avoid neat vinegar on plated or coloured finishes, as it can dull them; dilute it and work quickly instead.

How to clear a clogged shower head

Fill a freezer bag with white vinegar and fasten it over the shower head with an elastic band, so the holes sit under the liquid. Leave it for an hour, or overnight for heavy build-up. Remove the bag, run the shower to flush out the loosened scale, and poke any blocked holes clear with a pin.

Glass screens and tiles

Spray a half-and-half mix of white vinegar and water over the glass, leave it for ten minutes, then wipe and rinse. A daily squeegee after showering is the single best way to keep screens clear and cut down on scrubbing. If a screen is badly scaled, repeat the treatment rather than scrubbing hard, which can scratch the glass.

A word on safety

Vinegar and lemon juice are mild, but a few rules keep things safe. Never mix vinegar with bleach, as the combination gives off harmful fumes. Keep acids away from natural stone such as marble or granite, which they can etch. Rinse every surface with clean water afterwards, and open a window so the sharp smell clears quickly.

How to stop limescale coming back

• Squeegee or wipe surfaces dry after every use.
• Fix dripping taps, as constant moisture speeds up build-up.
• Descale little and often rather than waiting for a thick crust.
• Consider a water softener if hard water is a constant problem.

Limescale is relentless in London, and staying on top of it takes time. If you would rather leave it to a professional, book a GlowSpark cleaner from £19 an hour and let someone else keep your bathroom gleaming.