Soak limescale off taps safely with vinegar or descaler, protecting delicate finishes, then rinse, dry and reassemble.
DT-01Check the tap's finishLook at the tap's finish before you start: chrome copes well with vinegar and most descalers. Brushed, gold-coloured, matt black and other coloured finishes can be damaged by acid, so check the manufacturer's advice first and use the mildest product they recommend, or plain warm water and a soft cloth if in doubt.
DT-02Gather what you need and protect the areaLay an old towel in the basin or bath to catch drips and protect enamel or stone surfaces nearby. Pour white vinegar or a proprietary descaler into a small bag or bowl. Put on rubber gloves and open a window, as the fumes can be sharp.
1 bottle · White vinegar or bathroom descaler DT-03Soak the spoutSoak a cloth in white vinegar or descaler and wrap it tightly round the spout where the limescale has built up. Hold it in place with a small plastic bag and an elastic band, or tie it off, and leave it for the time stated on the descaler bottle, usually 15 to 30 minutes. Keep descaler off natural stone such as marble or limestone, and off enamel baths, as it can etch the surface.
1 each · Small plastic bag DT-04Unscrew and soak the aeratorUnscrew the aerator from the end of the spout by hand, or use pliers wrapped in a cloth if it is stiff, turning gently so you do not scratch the finish. Drop it into a small bowl of vinegar or descaler and leave it to soak for the same amount of time as the spout.
DT-05Scrub away loosened limescaleTake the cloth off the spout and use an old toothbrush to gently scrub any remaining limescale from the nozzle and crevices. Do the same for the aerator, working the brush into the mesh to clear trapped deposits.
DT-06Rinse and dry thoroughlyRinse the spout and aerator under running water to clear all traces of vinegar or descaler, since leftover acid can keep working on the finish. Dry both with a clean cloth, paying attention to any grooves or textured areas.
DT-07Reassemble and testScrew the aerator back into the spout by hand until snug, then turn the tap on and check for leaks and an even flow. Wipe the whole tap dry to leave a streak-free finish.
DT-08Tidy up safelyRinse out any bowls or bags used and dispose of them normally. Never mix leftover descaler with bleach or any other cleaning product, as this can produce dangerous fumes. Store the descaler bottle sealed and out of reach of children, and keep the room ventilated until the smell has cleared.
DT-09See also: descaling a shower headIf your shower head is also scaled up, HomeGraft's 'Descale a shower head' guide covers the same soaking method adapted for shower heads and hoses.
Tooled Up links are affiliate links: if you buy after clicking, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. B&Q and Amazon links are plain searches and earn us nothing.
Save this as a projectBack to all guides